Tiggerdad is heading to the Smokies! Y'all come

tiggerdad · Jul 22, 2017

We are here safe and sound.

Riversedge is a little close together but every site I can see has shade.

That's the bath house just down the stretch there.

Each site has gravel for the camper but concrete pad for your chairs and table.

Off to hunt up some food.

North of Mouse · Jul 22, 2017

We just returned from a couple weeks in the Smokies, but we stay inside the National park at Elkmont Campground - on the river from the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

So sad all the damage to the beautiful mountains, but especially all the people that lost their homes, and abt. 14, their lives.

The greenery is so lush that it helps hide a lot of the damage, but you can see the burned mountain tops and along sides the roads - especially along the parkway between Gat. and Pigeon Forge, also the bypass around Gat. A large hotel in Downtown Gat. on the river is a burned shell, and some businesses, but off the beaten path there are many, many homes destroyed.

We talked to several people, as well as the rangers at the Sugarlands visitor center, and as a pp said, visitors are down abt. 30%, and they said Gatlinburg economy is really struggling. Pigeon Forge is doing much better as they had little damage, and that is where most of the 'touristy' things, hotels and campgrounds are.

Chimney tops trail is completely destroyed in the upper part and probably will never be able to be opened again (just lower part maybe, but not this year). There wasn't much vegetation to begin with in last half mile, and nothing now but mostly collapsed rock.

We have gone there every year since we were married, camped in same campground, and hiked lots of the trails - really hurt us to see what carelessness, and dare I say, stupidity, can cause to a beautiful place, not to mention the lives that were lost and homes.

2goofycampers · Jul 22, 2017

tiggerdad said:
That's the bath house just down the stretch there.

You have to go in the bath house and look and post some pics!!!

tiggerdad · Jul 22, 2017

Yep NoM, really sad. When I used to live up here I spent every weekend in that park hiking. Really hurts from what I've seen so far.

After we got setup we took off for Gatlinburg and you could see the burned underbrush along the road pretty quickly. They sprayed it with grass seed to help with erosion but here are some examples.

I got some pictures from the Gatlinburg bypass as well.

This is looking down on Gatlinburg. You can see the scorched dead trees and locations where some cabins used to be.

Went on in to the park to Sugarlands which is park headquarters and home to their nature displays, gift shop, and NP movie.

In the gift shop I couldn't help but notice the merchandise.

I did find among the stuffed birds, bears, bobcats, opossum, and skunks this little guy.

I was actually sad at first, but then he winked and flashed his tail before going back stiff. Clever little guy.

The girls found the park mascot.

tiggerdad · Jul 22, 2017

When we left Sugarlands we knew we were too tired to ride the park so we headed to PF for dinner. We went to our favorite which is the Old Mill Restaurant.

I had the turkey and dressing and wife had the chicken and dumplings. The green beans and mashed potato sides come in large bowls.

Man, I'm so stuffed...

After we ate we walked around Patriot Park which is right next door. We fed the locals as well.

Well, sitting outside the camper now digesting food. We are gonna turn in and go to Gatlinburg tomorrow. We have the girls a surprise dinner booked for tomorrow at 6pm so we'll stay close and then hit trails Monday.

Betty Rohrer · Jul 22, 2017

North of Mouse said:
We just returned from a couple weeks in the Smokies, but we stay inside the National park at Elkmont Campground - on the river from the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

So sad all the damage to the beautiful mountains, but especially all the people that lost their homes, and abt. 14, their lives.

The greenery is so lush that it helps hide a lot of the damage, but you can see the burned mountain tops and along sides the roads - especially along the parkway between Gat. and Pigeon Forge, also the bypass around Gat. A large hotel in Downtown Gat. on the river is a burned shell, and some businesses, but off the beaten path there are many, many homes destroyed.

We talked to several people, as well as the rangers at the Sugarlands visitor center, and as a pp said, visitors are down abt. 30%, and they said Gatlinburg economy is really struggling. Pigeon Forge is doing much better as they had little damage, and that is where most of the 'touristy' things, hotels and campgrounds are.

Chimney tops trail is completely destroyed in the upper part and probably will never be able to be opened again (just lower part maybe, but not this year). There wasn't much vegetation to begin with in last half mile, and nothing now but mostly collapsed rock.

We have gone there every year since we were married, camped in same campground, and hiked lots of the trails - really hurt us to see what carelessness, and dare I say, stupidity, can cause to a beautiful place, not to mention the lives that were lost and homes.

in talking with some of our friends not just stupidity but also a freak wind that came with the storms. think like the winds that do the damage in the west with fires

mtnminnie · Jul 23, 2017

I am being told that Descendants 2 is better than 1. My oldest had the countdown going on till Friday at 8.

tiggerdad · Jul 23, 2017

2goofycampers said:
You have to go in the bath house and look and post some pics!!!

Here ya go. Entrance to the bathrooms is via keypad. The bathrooms are downstairs and upstairs is a large arcade.

The restrooms are VERY clean. Also, playing on the overhead is some typical mountain music which is pretty cool.

The showers, 5 total with one being handicap accessible, have a locking door leading to changing area.

Showers are tile and VERY clean.

Oh yeah, plenty of A/C in the bath house as well.

tiggerdad · Jul 23, 2017

Betty Rohrer said:
been to River Edge can be hard to turn into. I would turn off parkway at signal at Smokey Shadows hotel and take that side street to turn into campground rather than try to turn off parkway into office area. have a great time and I am headed there mid August. as much as I like there Fort Wilderness it is not. have a great trip

Thanks for bringing up this point. The turn into the office area Betty refers to is stop light 10 in Pigeon Forge. It's last light before heading to Gatlinburg. You can no longer cross the parkway here. Instead, and much easier, is to turn left just before you get to stop light 10. This is Cate's Lane.

You cross bridge and turn right to enter Riversedge or left to enter Rivers Landing RV park.

Turning right into Riversedge puts you on Husky street. You just drive up to office and park out front. Go in and check in, then turn around and go to your site. Super easy.

Now Husky street runs through the campground and has sites on it. I would not want a site on that street. There is too much traffic. @SouthAlabama5er stayed there once and advised against it as well.

This is the office with parking area out front. That's Husky street going away from you back to where you turn in. Also notice the trolley stop is conveniently located at office as well.

Here is the river and the sites along it are shielded by trees which give good shade.

Notice the crane hunting for breakfast?

The pool is a little small. There is a hot tub

And a splash area as well

Aight, headed to Gatlinburg to sweat off some calories walking the strip.

Teamubr · Jul 23, 2017

Thanks Michael.

The fire damage doesn't look as bad as I expected. I guess nature has a way of reclaiming pretty quickly.

I drove through Riversedge last year. Actually drove right down Husky, not realizing it was the campground. I think it would be a little tight for my 5er. Next time we go, I'm considering campgrounds east of Gatlinburg on 321. I think it is quieter out there and closer to the park. The things in Pigeon Forge are fun, but we spent most of our time in the park and walking Gatlinburg.

Have fun and keep posting. Brings back a lot of fond memories from last summer.

j

North of Mouse · Jul 23, 2017

Betty Rohrer said:
in talking with some of our friends not just stupidity but also a freak wind that came with the storms. think like the winds that do the damage in the west with fires

Yes, you're right - they had dry hurricane force winds that blew the fires in so many places.
'But', it is never legal to build any kind of fires in the parks, except in designated areas.

They've dropped charges against the 17 & 15 yr. old boys because they couldn't 'prove' beyond a doubt that they caused the complete fire. It was very obvious, but not by a court of law. They will be (self) punished for the rest of their lives though causing so many deaths, traumatic experiences and buildings/dwellings losses. There was 'no' reason for them to start a fire on that trail, period!

tiggerdad · Jul 23, 2017

Teamubr said:
Thanks Michael.

The fire damage doesn't look as bad as I expected. I guess nature has a way of reclaiming pretty quickly.

I drove through Riversedge last year. Actually drove right down Husky, not realizing it was the campground. I think it would be a little tight for my 5er. Next time we go, I'm considering campgrounds east of Gatlinburg on 321. I think it is quieter out there and closer to the park. The things in Pigeon Forge are fun, but we spent most of our time in the park and walking Gatlinburg.

Have fun and keep posting. Brings back a lot of fond memories from last summer.

j

Jim, I'm gonna look at some of those too before I leave. Actually, leaving from here you take the gatlinburg bypass and your in the park faster than coming through Gatlinburg. I see several in comparable size to yours here.

Sight, my observation on Gatlinburg tourist is that it is PACKED! Traffic backed way up everywhere.

Some views of the local mountains around Gatlinburg affected by the fire.

We did go to Nantahala. A camping/outdoor store in Gatlinburg. Wall to wall neat stuff at large prices. I did find this neat.

You can hike, carry your supplies, and your baby. Even has handy canopy to keep sun and rain off the little ankle biter.

I tested the hammock on front porch.

The girls tested the rocking chairs.

It ain't Trails End though.

sweet maxine · Jul 23, 2017

Beautiful pictures!

(And a true Mississippian always gives it an aight!)

In spite of the damage, this is still a beautiful place. The last time I was in the Smoky Mountains was when I was 18, years and eons ago. Gatlinburg was kind of a little sleepy, country town, but was getting started with attracting tourists.

Teamubr · Jul 23, 2017

tiggerdad said:
Jim, I'm gonna look at some of those too before I leave. Actually, leaving from here you take the Gatlinburg bypass and your in the park faster than coming through Gatlinburg. I see several in comparable size to yours here.

The bypass was nice. It was just getting to the bypass that took quite awhile from where we were. (Pine Mt. RV Park)

tiggerdad said:
View attachment 255385
You can hike, carry your supplies, and your baby. Even has handy canopy to keep sun and rain off the little ankle biter.

Now your 2 girls are a little big for that. Are you trying to tell us something?

j

North of Mouse · Jul 23, 2017

Teamubr said:
The fire damage doesn't look as bad as I expected. I guess nature has a way of reclaiming pretty quickly.

Trust me, it's as bad, and worse than you can imagine!! Pictures just cannot give you the scope of all the burned areas, plus all the burned houses just a block off, and further from the downtown strip of Gatlinburg. It's true that foliage grows fast there, and can sort of hide the worst in pictures. Guess one of the more 'notorious' homes was the 'Mansion' overlooking Gatlinburg - just a shell now with chimneys sticking up!

North of Mouse · Jul 23, 2017

@tiggerdad, your pic of the baby backpack carrier is too funny! DH & I were both commenting on it also. We called it the 'Cadillac' of backpackers for little snowflakes!!

(the price tag reflected that too)

tiggerdad · Jul 23, 2017

Surprise dinner for girls this evening was a dinner show. I Always have a hard time choosing my favorite dinner show. It's either HDR or...

Dixie Stampede

Gotta love a show with horses, buffalo, cows, chickens, doves, pigs, and no utensils!

It's a new backdrop since last I saw it. Used to be the front of a mansion. Now a mountain theme with LED screen.

Gotta love this menu. Especially since you get nothing to eat with except your hands.

Getting girls in bed early tonight. Tomorrow we're headed into the park early for some trail walking. Probably go to Cade's Cove and hike there. This is the part of the trip I'm most excited about...

tiggerdad · Jul 23, 2017

Teamubr said:
The bypass was nice. It was just getting to the bypass that took quite awhile from where we were. (Pine Mt. RV Park)

Now your 2 girls are a little big for that. Are you trying to tell us something?

j

Uh no! My wife's jaw just dropped as she asked "Is he crazy?"

Betty Rohrer · Jul 23, 2017

tiggerdad said:
Thanks for bringing up this point. The turn into the office area Betty refers to is stop light 10 in Pigeon Forge. It's last light before heading to Gatlinburg. You can no longer cross the parkway here. Instead, and much easier, is to turn left just before you get to stop light 10. This is Cate's Lane.
View attachment 255297
You cross bridge and turn right to enter Riversedge or left to enter Rivers Landing RV park.
View attachment 255299

Turning right into Riversedge puts you on Husky street. You just drive up to office and park out front. Go in and check in, then turn around and go to your site. Super easy.
View attachment 255301
Now Husky street runs through the campground and has sites on it. I would not want a site on that street. There is too much traffic. @SouthAlabama5er stayed there once and advised against it as well.

This is the office with parking area out front. That's Husky street going away from you back to where you turn in. Also notice the trolley stop is conveniently located at office as well.
View attachment 255306
Here is the river and the sites along it are shielded by trees which give good shade.
View attachment 255303
Notice the crane hunting for breakfast?

The pool is a little small. There is a hot tubView attachment 255304

And a splash area as wellView attachment 255305

Aight, headed to Gatlinburg to sweat off some calories walking the strip.

splash area is new since we were last there

FtW Mike · Jul 24, 2017

Michael hope you and your Ladies are all having a good time on your adventure

Tiggerdad is heading to the Smokies! Y'all come

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