When my husband and I first married, we lived in the armpit of Arkansas. When a job opportunity presented itself in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, we all but ran for it! This area is so beautiful and majestic that you feel like you can't possibly see it all in one trip. From our first month here, I went on a day-trip binge. Every weekend, I had a new destination for us to discover, I felt like I couldn't see it all quickly enough! Finally, my husband put his foot (and the checkbook) down, "Relax, we will be living here the rest of our lives. We have plenty of time to explore."
Indeed he was right. We've been here for three years and I'm running out of new things to see. Don't get me wrong; I'm always in awe seeing the misty mountain tops while driving to Gatlinburg and never tire of it. But what I wanted was to be a "local." I want to know the places no one else knows about.
That's where this little gem comes in handy! 100 Secrets of the Smokies tells little known facts about this area that allows you to really see the Smokies. It is written by Randall and Maryellen Duckett who have traversed the area completely and have tried each of these secrets out themselves! Included with each report is a synopsis of the area and a little bit of history that makes the secret all the more delicious!
Each secret is divided into one of six special categories. This makes the book itself easier to navigate. I'm not much with a map, but the book seems to be in geographic order as well; that is, it goes from one side of the park to the other.
Places to Eat
Why would we not start out with the most important category? To borrow a term from Chef Keith Famie: "You've never really been to a place unless you've tasted the food." How many of you know what real country cooking is? You may be surprised to know we aren't all about fried food and barbecue!
Chef Jock's Tastebud Cafe
If you happened to drive past this humble establishment, you may not even give it a second glance. Big Mistake! Chef Giacomo LaJoi (or just Chef Jock) from Ohio serves up gourmet Italian and French food to a casual yet, at times, celebrity crowd. The list of former patrons include singer Lee Greenwood, Janet Reno and David Letterman's mom. Don't let that scare you off! The priciest entree on the menu is only a mere $16.95 and most can be had for around $12.00. The menu is ever changing, with Chef Jock doing at least eighty-five percent of the cooking himself. Chef Jock likes to serve unusual dishes such as ostrich, wild boar and the occasional alligator dishes, the latter are served just about the time the University of Tennessee football team plays the Florida Gators! Another plus: children are most welcome, though there is no children's menu, so finicky children may have trouble finding something they will eat. You may always ask for buttered noodles or marinara sauce over spaghetti. This restaurant is located in Pigeon Forge.
Places to Stay
You can stay in a chain hotel any day of the week. To really experience the Smokies, it is imperative that you stay in a real Inn or a Bed and Breakfast!
Von Bryan Inn
Even if this spectacular inn isn't the highest in the Smokies, it is billed as having the best view. In the main house, there is a 360-degree view of the beautiful area surrounding you, with the Smokies on the left and the vast Tennessee Valley on the right. You will feel you are on top of the world! As if the view wasn't enough to entice one to come for a visit, there is the food. The inn's owner makes fabulous desserts which are left out for late night snackers! One must also sample the delicious breakfast buffet! After the two and a half-mile drive up to the inn, you can choose to curl up with a good book by the fireplace, relax in rocking chairs on the porch to take in the view, or take a dip in the pools or hot tubs on the main deck. The rooms are available for $90 to $135 per night and the inn is open all year. This inn is located in Sevierville, right outside of Pigeon Forge.
Adventures
That's the reason you come to the Smokies, right?
Big Creek
Ever wanted to go to a real old-fashioned swimming hole? The park has streams all over it and you may pull off the road at any time to take a dip, if you dare! The water that comes down from these mountains is pretty chilly! However, swimming is permitted! Though there are many places to enjoy the streams, there is an actual swimming hole in Big Creek where you can enjoy a picnic to make a day of it. You must remember, however, that this is the wilderness, so the current can be brisk, and the rocks slippery! No jumping from the cliffs! This adventure is located right off of I-40 on the Big Pigeon River.
Attractions
More things to see and do!
Forbidden Caverns
Wherever there are mountains, there's bound to be a cave or two and the Smokies are no exception! Generally, one would have to be a serious spelunker to enjoy all of the caverns and caves of this mountain range, but Forbidden Caverns is even for sissies like me! In the cavern is a light show that tells the story of an Indian princess, but the real star of the show is the cave itself and all of its living components: stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones and onyx formations. There is even a river running through the cave that some believe originates from a secret lake under the English Mountains, but no one knows for certain. These caverns are located near Sevierville and the admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children.
Getting Around
You have to have a way to get to all of the fun, right?
Highways and Byways
If there is one thing travelers should know about the Smoky Mountains it's that it is very crowded. Its beauty naturally attracts people by the droves, and they all come in their own cars! And they are generally all in front of you! In this book, you will find little shortcuts that only locals know! These will come in quite handy if you venture into Gatlinburg over any holiday!
FYI
Tidbits that help you really understand and experience the Smokies.
Smoky Mountain Kudzu
We've all heard about the vine that covers much of the southern part of the United States, but did you know that it actually comes from the Far East? And that it was brought here on purpose? These and other fascinating facts fill the FYI section!
Included in this book are numerous maps of the area to help better navigate the area. The book also has an alphabetical index in the back to let you quickly locate an attraction as the book is written in geographical order.
This book is a must-have for any Smoky Mountain visitor and fascinating even for locals! If you discover your own secret during your travels, send it to the Duckett's and they will pay you fifty bucks if they use it in future editions!
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