Hopeless RoamAntics: The Great Smoky Mountains (6/17-6/14/2023)

I had heard very good things about The Ridge Outdoor Resort in Sevierville, TN. It is nestled between the two tourist trap towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. In previous trips we had been to both of the other towns and pretty much vowed never to return. While we did have to pass through a time or two on our way to other places, we did avoid the touristy areas pretty well.

This was a lovely, very large camping resort with plenty of space between sites and well over 100 total sites. The property had a pool, hot tub a lazy river and fishing pond. We got an end spot on a small circle at the top of the property and it was perfect for sunset views.

There were about 6 sites on the hill with full fireplaces,
grill and a hot tub. We did not have one of these sites,
but they were full the whole time we were there.

We were traveling on a Wednesday and we had hoped that the weather would cooperate for us to ride our bikes on the Cades Cove Loop in the Great Smoky Mountain State Park. Each Wednesday they close the loop to cars and you can ride your bike without the fear of being run over. Mother Nature rained on us though and instead we wound up at a singer/songwriter night at The Listening Room.

We rode our bikes on the Greenway trail that was accessible from the resort. It was mostly sidewalk, not really bike path along a roadway. It wasn't all that much fun.

A 30 minute drive from the RV park and you were welcomed to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. We headed into GSMNP to drive Cade's Cove loop and to find the 11 mile gravel road (only open in the summer). The traffic was extreme and did not make the drive on the loop that enjoyable. The 11 mile road peeled off about a third of the way around and so down the mountain we went. This was out first encounter with a black bear, saw more than 4 while here. After 11 miles of switchbacks, a milkshake was in order on the way home at The Chocolate Bar in Townsend, TN.

Crossed the road right in front of us like we were not even there.

We played some pickleball at lovely courts in the local park and had lunch at one day at the English Mountain Trout Farm. You could catch your trout and they would fry it up for you or, as we opted, you can skip the catching part. It was fun to watch the families there catching fish while we ate outside at a picnic table. Fun, quirky little stop.

Fried green tomatoes were also on point. Cool stop.

We went back to GSMNP two more days, once to do the drive and hike to Clingman's Dome and to revisit the full Cades Cove Loop. After a strenuous hike UP, we were treated to some beautiful views. We then hiked a small part of the Appalachian Trail as it was near the Clingman's Dome return hike. The early morning hike to Clingman's Dome was pretty cold when we started out but we wanted to start earlier in the morning to avoid the traffic jams. We saw a few more animals (more bears) and had a little better experience on Cades Cove Loop than our first attempt. We used the GuideAlong app for GSMNP and it was helpful with interesting facts and recommendations of what to see throughout the park.