> > We went to DollyWood again yesterday. They are expanding again. It never stops growing. We did the Thunderroad ride again. It still shakes your liver. The food is always the highlight for me. It's nothing fancy, just good country cooking. We also rode the train. It is an old Baldwin 2-6-2 left over from the depression days. She still runs on coal and smells like Hazard, Ky circa 1940. The train winds up into the foothills of the Smokies, does a loop and comes back down. Top speed is about 15 mph. You have plenty of time to look at native plants and animals and some old vintage buildings. They used to do a silly comedy show with audience participation, but they cut that out. Nobody complained about that. It used to take about 45 minutes but without the show its about 25. We didn't go near the Tennessee Tornado. That's for coaster freaks who like to be upside down. DollyWood is nice on a hot day. There's plenty of shade and running water and the theatres are all air conditioned. It's cheap too, if you have a season pass.
> > Howard
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> We're considering going to Dollywood when we go to Gatlinburg for our anniversary. We're taking a long weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 3. Can you think of any other attractions that would be interesting to see in Gatlinburg in the fall?
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> Grishny

Fall is a perfect time to go. The leaves will be turning in the mountains, so you need to drive up to Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome. If you hike, walk up to the tower on top of the Dome. It's a half mile uphill, but worth it. Take a jacket. Pigeon Forge is almost Las Vegas East, but if you like crowds and activity, it's a great place. You can find anything you want there except gambling and that's available at the Cherokee reservation on the NC side of the park. The food in the area is excellent. Fishing is great too. They have trout in mountain streams and bass in the lakes. If you don't like crowds, take hwy 72 thru the park from Gatlinburg to the Townsend end of the park. Look for Cades Cove and the Sinks.
Cades Cove is an eleven mile loop thru the 19th century. Traffic is slow and you see lots of wildlife early in the day. Great road for motorscooters and bicycles. Tubing in the river is popular in that area, but the water is cold all year and in the fall the air is cool too. The Smokies have a wealth of wildflowers, waterfalls, wildlife, and fantastic views. If you pass through Sevierville, go by the courthouse and see the Dolly Parton statue on the lawn. And while you are at Dollywood, don't miss Craftsman's Valley.
How"love those mountains"ard