Tennessee Summer Vacation PART THREE // THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS // Day 3
After a very busy and active couple of days we decided to take it moderately easy for Day 3 in the mountains. We started the day with a tour through Cades Cove. Both Jordan and I had been through Cades Cove before. Its a very popular picturesque 11 mile loop through varying landscapes with trails, wildlife and historic buildings peppered throughout.
Most people drive the trail, although theres no shortage of bikers along the way.
Among the historic buildings are log cabins, churches and more. The first we came upon was The John Oliver House, and we decided to get out and explore.
After a short hike along the trail we reached the cabin.
Isla loved going into the house and exploring while Holden loved sneaking off into the woods to go to the bathroom…
Next up was our first of three churches along the trail.
Isla and I went in and looked around the church as well as the graveyard. Isla loves doing things like this and seems to really enjoy hearing about the history involved.
Unfortunately, around this time we also started to see the loop becoming more congested. Theres a popular saying in Cades Cove whenever traffic is slow or stopped completely; it’s called a “Bear Jam”. This is caused when cars slow or stop and park to take photos and get closer to the bears in the park. Problem is, there’s a TON of Black Bears in this section of the Smokies. We spent nearly two hours just trying to get out of the park and we didn’t actually see any bears until we exited the Cades Cove loop.
I don’t say this to deter you - Cades Cove is definitely worth it if you’re in the area. Just go knowing this and maybe pack snacks, etc…. In fact, if you find yourself there in the Summer, I highly recommend trying to see the fireflies, and Cades Cove is a great place to do it in.
Despite the time spent trying to get out, we had a great time and although we were hungry and needed to use the facilities, we enjoyed the leisurely morning.
Looking for food we headed into Gatlinburg to roam around for the rest of the day before planning to have dinner at one of our favorites.
Of course we had to stop at one of the many streams for photos on the way…
This candy shop has been a favorite stop for my family ever since I can remember.
You can’t leave without some famous Smoky Mountain Taffy, which they make right in front of you.
After a light lunch and some exploring we headed to the end of the strip to cool off at the Aquarium.
It can sometimes be hard to find something in our family that everyone will enjoy, but usually an Aquarium will fit the bill. Ripley’s of the Smokies did not disappoint.
After the Aquarium Isla and I headed to explore the Guinness Book of World Records while Jordan and Holden walked around the strip.
Ever since Isla was really little she’s always been interested in the Guinness World Record Books. She watches youTube videos on record breakers and animatedly tells us about all she’s learned, so we knew that this was a must stop for her.
When you enter they give you a card that you take through the various world records and try to break the records. It’s basically like a children’s museum mixed with an arcade, mixed with a carnival. Isla had a blast! My favorite had to be her trying to break the loudest scream record. I had no idea she could be so loud and the determination on her face was priceless.
We met up with Holden and Jordan and headed to Calhoun’s for dinner. This is one of our favorites and a must-stop when we’re in Tennessee. I actually used to work at the location on the river at the University of Tennessee back in college.
The meal didn’t disappoint, although we literally could have stopped after a beer and the bread basket (biscuits, cornbread and a garlic roll) that they serve before the meal. The state of Tennessee does not play around when it comes to food. I honestly don’t think that we’ve ever eaten more than we did that week. Needless to say a juice cleanse was ordered on the way back to the airport at the end of the trip - LOL!!
We headed back to the cabin and huddled up for the night. Isla was super excited to call both grandparents on a “real, working old phone” :-D
The following day, our last day in the Smokies was going to be a busy one… The Sinks, Krispy Kreme, Dollywood and Clingmans Dome!
