While in Tennessee  we decided to drive over to  Dollywood for a day.  I’m not a fast ride, rollercoaster type person.  Still, there are usually a few slower rides and shows to see. And Larrie really wanted to go.  So, we checked the weather for a dry day (we have had a lot of rain) , and headed out.

Driving over to Pigeon Forge was a pretty drive.  The sun shone on the smoky mountains, and traffic wasn’t too bad.  Then, we got into the commercial area of Pigeon Forge.  I don’t think I have ever seen so many different businesses on one strip of road.  There is everything you would ever want to see, do, and eat in the couple mile stretch.  What a mess.  We were there early enough so we did not deal with the really busy traffic. Still, I thought about the people who had lived there, in that area for years and years.  How sad for them to see the area turn into such a commercial, hectic, and glitzy area.  It kind of takes the beauty of the mountains away.

In December , Dollywood is decorated for Christmas with over 4 million lights.  Everything had red, blue, green, yellow ,white , or pink lights strung over it.  I never thought of pink as a Christmas color.   After touring Dolly’s first travel bus, that was full of “everything pink” I knew why they had pink lights for Christmas.  We were there for the full day and evening so we had the full effect of all those lights.  I have to say it was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

We spent the day  watching the different music shows and checking out the shops .  The only “ride” we went on was their narrow gauge railroad.  Overall, we had a nice day.

I have to admit, I am a Walt Disney fan.  And, its  hard not to compare “theme parks”.  Dollywood did  need a bit of sprucing up (paint and cleaning ).  The workers wore T-shirts and blue jeans (not always in the best of condition). If you had a question it was hard to know who to ask since most people wear T-shirts and blue jeans now days.  The park, overall looked worn out and in need of some TLC.

All in all, we did enjoy  the entertainment for the day.  But for me, it is a one time stop. Not a repeat performance.

JA