Day 51 ~ Pigeon Forge, TN

Beautiful day today!  The colors are changing so quickly.  The mornings here are certainly much cooler than they were when we first got here.

We had such a wonderful time last night, John and I are running on adrenalin.  So much to talk about!!  It has just been so much fun hanging out with my cousin and his wife.  We were going to extend our stay here in Pigeon Forge, but unfortunately John is feeling a need to get back home to Washington so he can spend some time with his mom.  He has been in contact with the nursing home and it really sounds like she has taken a turn.

We spent the morning trying to figure out our plans for our return home and decided not to extend our trip on this end of the United States, but to take that time and extend it in Riverside, Washington to spend a few days with mom.  We know without a shadow of a doubt that we are returning to Knoxville/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee within the next couple of years!  There is just so much to do here.  Plus we have an IN on the area who can point us in the many directions that we need to see while we are here!  Thanks to my cousin Larry!

After making the difficult decision of leaving on Sunday : (  , we decided to hit the road and finish where we left of yesterday on the Artists Loop.  It's an 8 mile loop and what a fabulous time we had.  We ended up purchasing a few items made locally here in the Smoky Mtns.  Our prize possession was we had a Leather shop make special dog collars for our boys.  They turned out beautiful!

We left the Artist's Loop and took the Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg.  The boys were with us so we were able to take them on some of the hiking trails.  (NOT!!!)  We were so disappointed that the dogs couldn't hike in with us, but understandingly so, the bears were out in full force today!  Many sightings today.  It was cool enough that we could leave the boys in the truck while we were able to hike in on some of the trails.  Beautiful scenery.  So very sad to see the vacant homes that use to be filled with love and wonderful times.  If only those walls could talk.  It's like an abandoned community in the Hills. 

A very relaxing day and a lot of photo opportunities.  The Fall weather is certainly here and we are loving it.

After an afternoon spent in the Smoky's, we went back to camp, made dinner and exercised the dogs.  We decided to spend the evening on the town in Gatlinburg.  So much fun at night time!  We listened to good music and had our first taste of Real Moonshine!  It was great stuff!  I guess I could have been a Hillbilly very easily!  Beautiful lights shine in Gatlinburg under the beautiful dark skies of the smoky mountains.  Great evening.