"In My Tennessee Mountain Home"

"Life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh. In my Tennessee Mountain home, crickets sing in the fields near by..."
Well, Im finally here :) We arrived here in Pigeon Forge, TN around 4:00 yesterday afternoon. On the way into town, we were able to pass through Cherokee, NC, and then through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Isn't it gorgeous? I certainly think so :) It was wonderful being able to see the mountains and the trees as we drove through the park, but that wasn't all we saw. 

Two beautiful elk were grazing along the side of the road :)

For those of you who are wondering about the tags, elk once roamed the Smoky Mountains, but due to over-hunting and loss of habitat, they were eliminated from the region. The last elk in Tennessee was killed in the mid 1800's, and by 1900, the species was close to extinction. In 2001, the National Park Service began re-introducing elk into the region. So, the tags are, in a sense, "identification cards". For more information on elk and the other animals that inhabit the Smoky Mountains, please visit here: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/elk.htm

So, after saying goodbye to our grazing friends, we continued down through the mountains, soon arriving in Pigeon Forge.

After checking into our condo, we headed over to Dolly Parton's "Dixie Stampede" Dinner Attraction, where we were treated to a delicious four course meal and some good ole' smoky mountain style entertainment! ;P

Dixie Stampede is a blast! Click here to see a promo :)

The Dixie Stampede arena. 

With full tummies, and light hearts, we headed back to the condo. We were treated to a beautiful smoky mountain sunset before we headed off to bed.

We slept (or tried too), and like a kid on Christmas I was up and ready early the next morning to go to Dollywood! ;P So, as soon as we were all ready, we hopped in the car and headed to "The My Happiest Place on Earth".

The "Dollywood" sign ;P

We spent the better part of the day there, riding rides, meeting new people, job searching... ;P. I have to admit, that it was so worth the wait :) Ive got 3 more days here in Dollywood before we head back down to Florida :) Ill likely be posting every day while I'm here, so expect a wave of Dollywood happiness :)

More Photos:

"Is that a building with Dolly Parton's face on the front?" Why yes, yes it is :)

The Dolly Parton "Chasing Rainbows" Museum

Dolly Parton as a little girl. Isn't she cute! ;P

Dolly's coat of many colors. For those of you who don't know the story
behind it, click here.

Dolly's high school graduation
(She's sitting in the front right, right in the middle in a black dress)

Dolly's old tour bus

After 3 years of thinking and waiting, I finally ordered
my own smoky mountain rocking chair! :D

Here's the pattern :)

This was the host/narrator from the Dixie stampede show the
night we were there.  :)

This is the guy who played "Skeeter" (aka, the redneck)
the night we were there. He was great!
Click here to meet skeeter ;P

How do you think that would look on my mantle? ;P

Dolly Parton billboards as far as the eye can see :)

The view of Pigeon Forge from our condo at night. We got lucky,
and we have a great view of both the mountains, and the city! :)