November 11, 2011

Bridge over the Ohio River

A day earlier, on Thursday Nov 10, we left Granite City early in the morning and took I-255 that skirted St. Louis to get to I-64 East and then South on I-57 and then I-24 towards Nashville. We passed over the Ohio River and through the Shawnee National Forrest area and over the Tennessee River.

Nashville stop over 

Randal likes to drive only 4 to 6 hours so we selected a Good Sam Camp Ground of Two Rivers, Nashville Tennessee. It was much busier KOA with more people using it that the one of the night before. This may have been because it is the Country Music Capital of the the world.

The drive was interesting with the elevation getting to 1821 feet in some places and the forests colours gave a pleasing view. The trucking business sure keeps us alert as they passed us going 70mph. We travels somewhat slower so we can feel comfortable while pulling the Open Range.

It was a sunny cool morning with temperature of +3 C as we started out to take I-40 East towards Knoxville, Tennessee. It took us 30 minutes to drive through Knoxville on the 4-lane Interstate and 5 hours to arrive in Dolly Parton Country in the Great Smokey Mountain State Park, Tennessee.

This is where DollyWood and Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Resort are.

Cars and people arriving for the Veterans Day

The traffic was heavy for hours coming in on Highway 66 to these areas for the Veterans Day weekend. Cars lined up all day, moving slowly through road construction, all going to the festivities in the area.

This is a great place for family entertainment from white water rafting, Nascar racing, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Ghost & Haunt Tours, Electric Ziplines Rides, Helicopter rides, musicals and now that it is going into the Xmas season there are lights and The Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas Spectacular show to go to. In Gatlinburg there is a Hollywood Star Car Museum where over 400 best star car collection are on display.  

Wall of places to go and see!

The Ripplin Waters Camp Grounds, Sevierville, TN is off I-40, on #66 near Little Pigeon River that flows towards Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We found the campsite not very busy and a quiet place to spend the night.

The time changed so now we are on Eastern time.