Day 1:Tuesday, November 17, 2009
We left home at 8 A.M. and rode to Chattanooga, TN. We stopped in the old part of town and walked up to the historic bridge but it was raining and too cold to cross. We went inside the Subway and bought cookies and a drink.
We rode through Chattanooga on our way to the mountains.
We stopped at a rest area just outside Chattanooga to use the restroom.
The rest area was alongside the Tennessee River so I took many pictures.
We rode to Pigeon Forge, stopping along the way to take pictures of historic markers and other interesting things.
We made many stops so I could take pictures of historical markers along the side of the highway.
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| Historic Bridge in Chattanooga |
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| Historic Bridge in Chattanooga |
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| Rest Area at Tennessee River the Nick Jack Reservoir |
We made many stops so I could take pictures of historical markers along the side of the highway,
Dumplin Creek Treaty
About 2 mi. E., at the mouth of Dumplin Creek, was Henry's Station, founded by Maj. Hugh Henry. Here, the state of Franklin, represented by John Sevier, and the Cherokee Nation, represented by Ancoo, Chief of Chota, signed, on June 10, 1785, the treaty opening a large area south of the French Broad and Holston Rivers to settlement.
John Porter McCown,
Born 1/4 mi. SE, Aug. 19, 1815. Graduate USMA, 1840. Brevetted captain at Cerro Gordo, Mexican War. Resigned in 1861 for the Confederacy; rose to the rank of major general. Commanded at New Madrid, Madrid Bend, Island No. 10, and later East Tennessee. Dept Commanded division at Murfreesboro. After the war, teacher and surveyor in Sevier Co. Died at Little Rock, Ark., Jan.2,1879.
Isaac Dockery
A native of Sevier County, Isaac Dockery, an African-American brick maker, and mason, established brick kilns near Sevierville. After the Civil War, he built or made bricks for many buildings in Sevierville including the Masonic Lodge (1893), New Salem Baptist Church (1886), and the Sevier County Courthouse(1896). A talented master builder, he taught several generations of local brick masons.
Nancy Academy,
Founded on this site in 1806, this school was named for Nancy Rogers, the first white child born south of French Broad River. The first trustees were James Reagan Hopkins Lacey, Thomas Hill, Allen Bryant, and Isaac Love. The Legislature authorized a lottery to support it in 1813; it burned in 1816 and was later rebuilt. It closed in 1890.
The McHanah Indian Mount,
This Mississippian substructure, Ft 16 high and Ft 240 in circumference, built during the Dallas phase (1200-1500), was first excavated in 1881, with artifacts being sent to the Smithsonian. Later excavations exposed nearby villages of the Woodland Indians dating from 200 A.D. to the Cherokee who roamed this valley when pioneers settled in the late 1700s.
Dumplin Creek Treaty
About 2 mi. E., at the mouth of Dumplin Creek, was Henry's Station, founded by Maj. Hugh Henry. Here, the state of Franklin, represented by John Sevier, and the Cherokee Nation, represented by Ancoo, Chief of Chota, signed, on June 10, 1785, the treaty opening a large area south of the French Broad and Holston Rivers to settlement.
John Porter McCown,
Born 1/4 mi. SE, Aug. 19, 1815. Graduate USMA, 1840. Brevetted captain at Cerro Gordo, Mexican War. Resigned in 1861 for the Confederacy; rose to the rank of major general. Commanded at New Madrid, Madrid Bend, Island No. 10, and later East Tennessee. Dept Commanded division at Murfreesboro. After the war, teacher and surveyor in Sevier Co. Died at Little Rock, Ark., Jan.2,1879.
Isaac Dockery
A native of Sevier County, Isaac Dockery, an African-American brick maker, and mason, established brick kilns near Sevierville. After the Civil War, he built or made bricks for many buildings in Sevierville including the Masonic Lodge (1893), New Salem Baptist Church (1886), and the Sevier County Courthouse(1896). A talented master builder, he taught several generations of local brick masons.
Nancy Academy,
Founded on this site in 1806, this school was named for Nancy Rogers, the first white child born south of French Broad River. The first trustees were James Reagan Hopkins Lacey, Thomas Hill, Allen Bryant, and Isaac Love. The Legislature authorized a lottery to support it in 1813; it burned in 1816 and was later rebuilt. It closed in 1890.
The McHanah Indian Mount,
This Mississippian substructure, Ft 16 high and Ft 240 in circumference, built during the Dallas phase (1200-1500), was first excavated in 1881, with artifacts being sent to the Smithsonian. Later excavations exposed nearby villages of the Woodland Indians dating from 200 A.D. to the Cherokee who roamed this valley when pioneers settled in the late 1700s.
We stopped in Sevierville hoping to get some discount tickets, but we ended up buying a temporary time-share.
We stopped in downtown Sevierville, and I took several pictures of the Sevier County Courthouse and the statue of Dolly Pardon that was standing in front of the courthouse.
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| Statue of Dolly Pardon |
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| Sevier County Courthouse |
Shiloh Church
In 1802 Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury preached in the home of Mitchel Porter, Revolutionary Veteran, who lived 2 miles north of Sevier County and preached in the newly built log chapel, 400 yards west of here. Shiloh Cemetery grew up around this chapel
We stopped at the Motor Harley Davidson Cycles to look at Motorcycles.
We checked in at the Inn at Christmas Hotel at 4 P.M.
It was dark outside and the city was decorated for the Christmas holidays so we decided to ride around looking at the Christmas lights.
We went to the Black Bear Jamboree show and had a meal.
Come with us and enjoy Christmas at the Black Bear Jamboree where you can discover the true meaning of Christmas.
The cast was dressed in extravagant costumes with vibrant sets and millions of Christmas, lights and they took us on an adventure to Santa's Workshop to the festive streets of New York City at Macy’s department store, and finally a Nativity scene with baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the wise men and angels in the sky above.
We were served Southern-style chicken hickory pit barbecue ribs, buttery corn on the cob, vegetables, potatoes, baked bread, creamy soup, and dessert with tea, coke, or coffee.
Some of the songs they sang during the show were, I’ll Be Home With Bells on, Mary Did You Know, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Most Wonderful Time of the Year (at Macy’s) Sleight Ride.
After dinner, we rode around town looking at the Christmas lights, back to the hotel for a good night's sleep in our luxury room at The Inn at Christmas Place a favorite place to stay in Pigeon Forge, TN
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| Motor Harley-Davidson Cycles |
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| Motor Harley-Davidson Cycles |
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| Motor Harley-Davidson Cycles |
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| Incredible Christmas Store |
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| Incredible Christmas Store |
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| Incredible Christmas Store |
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| Incredible Christmas Store |
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| The Inn at Christmas Place |
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| Black Bear Jamboree |
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| Black Bear Jamboree |
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| Black Bear Jamboree |
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| The Inn at Christmas Place |
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| the lobby at The Inn at Christmas Place |
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| The display is from a Christmas Story |
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| The Inn at Christmas Place, Santa, and Tree |
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| Apple-barnCider Mill & General Store |
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| Apple-barnCider Mill & General Store |
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| Apple-barnCider Mill & General Store |
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| Little Pigeon River |
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| Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World |
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| Christmas Tree at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World |
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| Setting next to the fireplace base Pro Shops Outdoor World |
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| The waterfall at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World |
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| Brown bear at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World |
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| Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World |
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| Dixie Stampede |
Day 2: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Early that morning we spent four hours listening to a talk about time-share, which we bought.
We rode to the Apple Barn for lunch.
The Apple Barn is located in Pigeon Forge with unsurpassed natural beauty with a flowing creek right in front and a hillside of apple trees in the back. It has the best apple butter, and corn relish you can buy anywhere. Their restaurant serves the best apple fritters and apple butter anywhere. It was worth stopping and we ate at both places.
The Apple Barn complex is home to two of the most popular restaurants in the area. The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant is the original favorite. Built in the 1920s the farmhouse was converted to a restaurant and opened in 1986. It specializes in family meals and good country cookin'.
The Applewood Farmhouse Grill was opened because of the enormous popularity of the original restaurant. The Grill serves many of the favorites from the Farmhouse, with a few updates and some lighter selections. It is nestled in a beautiful location right in the apple orchard. We drove over to Kodac TN to the Bass Pro Shop large store decorated for the holidays and many stuffed animals.
We rode over to Kodac, TN to the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Welcome to the Smoky Mountain's Great Outdoor Store by Reputation. At the Bass Pro Shop, there are departments for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or birdwatching. They have an aquarium full of fish that they feed, there is a restaurant called Uncle Buck's Grill and Uncle Buck's Coffee Shop and you can get you're fishing or hunting licenses right there on the spot.
For dinner and a show, we went to the Dixie Stampede.
They took our pictures before we went inside to eat.
The spirit of the season appears before your very eyes. The live nativity scene comes down from the ceiling it is dramatic and spectacular. The true meaning of Christmas comes alive as three kings riding atop camels on their way to Bethlehem.
The beauty of angels from above is amazing. The holiday festivities get playful as Elves from the North Pole and the South Pole will compete in a friendly rivalry while serving up a festive four-course feast!
We were served whole rotisserie chicken, creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuits, corn on the cob, herb-basted potato, dessert, and unlimited drinks.
At the Dixie Stampede, cheering for your favorite Elves is all part of the excitement since the audience is always part of the show! Be ready to stomp your feet and get loud! That is all part of the thrill! From amazing stunt riders and the ring of fire to live horse races, there is something for everyone at the Dixie Stampede!
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| Babes in Toyland, |
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| Christmas in the Country |
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| I will be home for Christmas |
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| Dollywood Christmas Parade |
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| Dollywood Express passengers & freight-line departure for the mountains |
Day 3: Thursday, November 19, 2009
We bought season tickets to Dolly Wood and spent the entire day there.
We watched several shows and we stayed until the park closed at 9 P.M.
We watched Christmas in the Smokies, O’ Holy Night, Dolly Wood’s Babe in Toyland, The Polar Express, and Santa’s Workshop.
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| Knoxville County Courthouse |
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| Rest area in Cartage, TN |
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| John Harlan Willis Marker, |
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| The Lord's Prayer at James K Polks Memorial Gardens in Columbia |
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| St John's Church |
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| Ancestral Home of James KK.Polk |
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| Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, TN |
Day 4: Friday, November 20, 2009
We checked out of the hotel at 9 A.M.
As we were leaving Sevierville and driving into Knox County, I took pictures of Knoxville, Sevierville Eastern Railways KS & E, The Great Indian War Trail, Knox County, Sevier County, Fort Dickerson, and Stanley.
In Knoxville, we rode by the Courthouse so I could take a picture of it.
Between Knoxville and Nashville, we stopped at the Rest area in Cartage, to use the restrooms and I took pictures of the Blue star marker, In memory of the Tennessee Department of Transportation Employees who lost their lives marker, US Senator Albert Gore Sr Tennessee and a Marking Time Preston Farabow artist.
In Nashville we stopped at Opry Mills Mall Shopped did not stay long.
We rode down the Saturn Parkway stopping to take pictures of Polk's Boyhood Home, and Sam Davis.
We rode through Columbia Tn stopping to take pictures of the John Harlan Willis Marker, Columbia Courthouse, Veterans markers at the courthouse, James Polk Rise to the Whitehouse, James Knox Polk Marker, James K. Polk House, Hood and Schofield Historic Marker, Forest, and Capron, James K. Polk statue, the stone-carved Lord's Pray in the nearby cemetery, Delaying Forrest, St John's, Battle and Snap Plantation.
Our last stops were on Highway 43, where I took pictures of McMillan's Stand and Pleasant Garden.
