fly Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Just returned from a week long camping vacation in the Smoky Mountains. The weather was great! High 60's at night and in the morning up to low 90's during the day. Unfortunately the weather in Idaho has not been very good. There is still 7 feet of snow in the area I killed my bears in last year at this time. We had no choice but to cancel the trip for this year. The Smokies were a lot less dramatic in comparison to the Rockies, but had a different kind of charm. The mountains are all green and very smoky. The less dry climate was nice and the fragrant mountain aromas were much stronger. Most of the river levels were about right for swimming and tubing (which we did a lot of). There were a few areas though that had some dangerous rapids such as the one below. The smaller (and kid friendly for swimming) rivers ran right through the campgrounds and provided hours of free entertainment for my wife and I to watch the kids play while relaxing at the camp site. Dollywood was overpriced, but clean and fun. The park was smaller in comparison to other theme parks we have visited. Some emplyees were nice, but some of the older ride operators - not so much. I didn't take a camera in the park since there are so many water rides. The kids loved it and that is what matters. The hard core hiking I'd hoped for just wasn't meant to be. Our first hike to Laurel falls had an easy rating and was only a 2 mile round trip mostly level hike. The kids started complaining after the first 100 yards. Being allowed to swim in the falls kept them going, but made me realize the 5 mile hike I had planned to Abrahms falls the next day was a long shot. We tried it, but when the wife started feeling sick after a 1/4 mile we turned around and went swimming at the start of the trail that followed the river. I fly fished a little - had about 25 strikes, but the trout were so small I never got a hook set. We also hiked about a mile to the highest point in the Smokies (Clingmans Dome). It was pretty neat being on the Appalachian Trial and the highest point in the Smokies at the same time. The highlight of the trip for me came one morning at dawn. I heard a gobbler right outside our travel trailer. I walked out and found a gobbler in full strut gobbling to another tom still on the roost. He was a campsite local and not afriad of people. I got to within 20 feet of him as he strutted back and forth gobbling his head off. This went on for about 20 minutes. Then the other Tom flew down and they walked up the mountain and out of sight. I'll end the story with our last breakfast in Pigeon Forge as we were headed home. I had a camper full of food and didn't feel like spending another 50 on breakfast. Therefore I pulled into a parking lot for a Redneck Breakfast! My kids were laughing so hard after my 8 year old son stated: "Dad, you know a reporter is going to take our picture and put us in the paper, it'll be titled: Look at the poor people". The rest of the laughter and breakfast conversation spiralled from that comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Good stuff!!! Nice pics. You have a good looking family!! If this was your first look at the Smokies, I'd have to agree............they are not as impressive as you may have expected. The summer foliage kinda actually takes away from them. First time I saw them was in February. No leaves. Good heavens, the difference!!!!!!!!! I was a geology major in college. I was stunned that there were mountains like that east of the Mississippi. They are really quite different looking with a bit of snow on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 What! No Cades Cove shots! LOL. Looks like fun. I haven't been there in a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Givan Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Looks like alot of fun! Our family went there a couple years ago for vacation. We rented a cabin near Gatlinburg, and we went to Pigeon Forge, Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, and some of the other neat places around. We were down there in the fall when the trees were changing colors, and it was beautiful. We also made a short day trip over into North Carolina to another attraction but I cant remember the name of it. Looking at your pics makes me want to go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted June 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 What! No Cades Cove shots! LOL. Looks like fun. I haven't been there in a long time. Sorry Chris, this one is from Cades Cove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 Glad to hear your family had a good trip Frank. Nice pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Nice pics Frank, looks like a gorgeous area! How'd that new truck do pulling your trailer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Shaun, the new F-150 pulled it a little better than my old F-150. It was a flat drive for the most part, will not get to really test it till next year's bear hunting trip to Idaho (given there isn't 7 feet of snow like this year). I'm really happy with the truck so far. The back seat had plenty of room for the kids and it rides very smooth and quiet. My only complaint is the gas mileage. I averaged 10.2 mpg with the trailer in tow. I was hoping for 11-12mpg with the fairly flat pull, but then I didn't buy it for the gas mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Great pictures! I get tired of spending money on food to. We often eat lunch and or dinner at our hotel room. My wife had been known to throw something in a crockpot while we are out duing the day and we eat when we get back to the hotel. We were always worried someone would say something but one time in Branson the maid came back and knocked on the door after we got back to the room. She wanted my wifes recipee. We sent her home with left overs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Good stuff Fly, looks like y'all had a great trip. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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