Weekend In Tennessee!

That is Correct!   I was invited down to Tennessee for a Wedding!   A Wedding where I barely know the people involved.   So this actually is more like a version of the "Wedding Crashers" for me.   Will I drink too much?  Will I make a speech?  Will I Dance and sing Karaoke?  Hmm...  Maybe?   But given my personality,  I highly doubt it. (Maybe enjoy an adult beverage and sing a Sinatra song...  Maybe.) 

We spent Friday traveling to the sleepy city of Pigeon Forge.  I think the entire trip was around 10 hours... ( maybe 11)   A LONG time in a small car that is not a Subaru.   But Dave did most of the driving. (Because I drive too slow...  I know,  I know!)   That being said,  it was still a long trip. My back was beginning to stiffen up after about 8 hours..  And Dave worked out with dead lifts and back squats at Crossfit that morning.   So saying he was a little stiff is an understatement!

The pictures do not really do the mountain justice.   Sure, they are not the Rockies.   But they are tall enough to make your ears pop and your eyes bulge with the thought of falling off the narrow roads.  I tried to capture some of the spring color along the way, but, again, that was difficult to pull off from the highway.  

If you managed to get off the highway....  Because Google Maps wanted to give you a scenic tour for some reason...  Then you encountered winding roads with no shoulder or guard rail to save you from tumbling down a cliff!  And going slow down these types of roads would only make someone with a little bit of back pain and travel fatigue kind of grumpy.  (Not Dave.... ME!) 

But we made it.   And are now taking in the sights of this "touristy trap of a destination"   Honestly, it looks like Disney Land...   With Mountains!  I hear there are zip lines,  Ferris Wheels, water slides, and rail rides everywhere.   A Comedy Barn, White water rafting,  Hatfield and McCoy themed restaurant and a bunch of other destinations.  Looks like a family could easily get lost here trying to visit and sample everything. 

But I am actually finding it peaceful.   The hotel is right next to a clear stream and we were able to eat breakfast outside on the patio... overlooking it.  The temps are cool, but definitely warmer than where we came from.  I was able to run in Shorts and T-shirt this morning!

Speaking of running,  Dave and I went out for a short run.   We came to a path ( road) leading up a "hill".   At the last minute,  Dave suggested we take a different route and we ended up on a light overlook with camping slots.   After several laps,  Dave said he had enough and wanted to get a head start on the morning.   But I wanted to see where the road that climbed the hill led.  

It was Brutally Steep!    And every time you thought you came to the top,  just around the corner,  the incline continued!   I somehow managed to "run" (it would hardly be called running...)  up the entire way... but was totally spent after I finally got to the top.   I could see the entire town from the peak.  

Though I "ran" up the thing,   I had to practically tip toe down.   I did not realize how steep it was until I was facing the other direction.   I was steep enough to make me second guess my footing down the entire way!  I can only imagine the damage it would have caused my legs had I run down or slipped.  

I'm sure if you have the money,  this place would be like Vegas for Kids!  ( Or Disney Land....)   But I'm here for a little R&R.  (And maybe a brewsky or two.... )   We shall see how the mini vacation plays out.  We'll try to make every second count.