Great Smoky Mountains Post 1

Arrived in Pigeon Forge, Tenn on May 4.

 

In the early 1800’s an iron forge with tub mill was built in the area.  The river’s banks were filled with beech trees and the beechnuts were a mainstay food for the Passenger Pigeons which made the river a natural stopping point.  Thus Pigon Forge!  The town continued as a sleepy farming community until the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated in 1940. In 1946, a landmark sale of the first parcel of property was sold. It was at this time that along the river the main road was cut through town and included two general stores and two churches. The town slowly began to grow, incorporating in 1961. The tourism boom hit the city in 1982 and since then, growth has been rapid and Pigeon Forge has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Southeast United States.  Pigeon Forge is within a day's drive of two-thirds of the nation's population east of the Mississippi River. 

Dolly Parton was born and raised in this local area.  She has invested into the community and helped build the town.  Dollywood amusement park is located in Pigeon Forge; it is a internationally recognized park and has won numerous awards.



All settled in, Creekside RV Park. 



The Great Smoky Mountains are a mountain range rising along the Tennessee-North Carolina border in the southeastern United States.  The name "Smoky" comes from the natural fog that often hangs over the range and presents as large smoke plumes from a distance. This fog, which is most common in the morning and after rainfall, is the result of warm humid air from the Gulf of Mexico cooling rapidly in the higher elevations of Southern Appalachia.  World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.  The park elevations are approximately 875 feet to 6,643 feet, I know compared with the Rockies this is low.  Smokies are part of an International Biosphere Reserve, which also includes other US parks such as: Grand Canyon, Yosemite, & Yellowstone.   There is NO park amittance fee.  Donations and soverign sales support the park.



We stopped for a relaxing lunch along The Little Pigeon River in the park.



Hike to Hen Hallow Falls, Cosby TN



Don't fall in!  Footbridge across stream.  Views up and down stream are breathtaking.

Hen Wallow Falls 95'



Hen Wallow Falls



A Mother Nature OOPS.  A large tree is uprooted causing a large hole in the trail.

Tree root system above ground. 

Upon returning from the park and driving through Pigeon Forge we saw a parade was forming.  One of our neighbors at the RV campground informed us that the town was celebrating a Dollywood amusement park award and Dolly would be in the parade.  We packed our chairs and headed downtown to enjoy. 



Dolly Parton in person!  She was on the first float, tells you her influence!




Float of another Threatre in Pigon Forge.  By the way, they did a parade for the west side of town on Friday night and east side on Saturday morning.  Had to make sure they covered all the resorts.