Scenic Driving: Bryson City -> Cades Cove -> Gaitlinburg -> Clingmans Dome

Bryson City to Cades Cove

For some reason I felt like we just had to visit the scenic Cades Cove Loop. It's supposed to be good for wildlife sightings as well as full of history. It's also very busy in the middle of summer. The drive from Bryson to Cades Cove was beautiful, but the traffic on the Tennessee side of Newfound Gap took away some of the enjoyment. And the traffic for the Cades Cove loop was awful. Add that it was a two-hour drive just to get there, it definitely did not feel worth it. The National Park closes the loop to vehicles on Wednesdays though and I'd love to ride the eleven mile loop on a bike.

Cades Cove to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

I’m kicking myself now for not making Jim stop so I could document the absolute insanity that is Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. Wow! Wow! Wow! I think we both had no idea what we were driving into. Paula Deen’s Lumberjack Show, Titanic, Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud, Wax Museum, Micro Wrestling (?!). Every light we stopped at (and there were plenty of stoplights and plenty of traffic) presented a new sight that dropped our jaws or had us laughing until I thought I would cry. As you might guess, these shows aren't really our scene, but I truly loved the experience of seeing the creative shows that have been put together. I had no idea a place like this even existed outside of Las Vegas or maybe Branson, MO (where we've never been). This is why we travel: to encounter things we’ve never encountered, open our minds to new things, and see how people who are unlike us experience life. By this measure, it was worth the drive through Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg!

Scenic Drive Part 3: Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome for Sunset

The look when you arrive at the sunset spot and it's pouring down rain and thunder and lightening.

I really wanted to see the sunset from Clingmans Dome. As we were driving through the Smokys, it started to pour. There was thunder, there was lightening. As anyone that has spent anytime at all in the mountains knows, storms are usually quick moving. We decided to stick it out until sunset and the clouds cleared, affording us spectacular views.

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains and in Tennessee. After being down in the valleys all day where is was so hot, we had not thought about the fact that we were planning to end the day at 6,643 feet. After the storms, it was windy and pretty chilly. I had my sweatshirt and raincoat, but poor Jim had only a t shirt and shorts. But we endured and ended a long day with a beautiful sunset in one of America's most beautiful locations.