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Originally, we did not have a vacation scheduled for this year. The plan was to skip this year and take a major trip the following year. However, due to the uncertainty of the future caused by the upcoming millineum, I had a change of heart that spring.
I was between jobs and with mother's flexible schedule at the paper I thought it would be a great chance to take a few days for a little rest and relaxation. About five weeks earlier a vacation guide arrived in the Sunday Tennessean. I browsed through it and read about the Biltmore House in Ashville, N.C. It is the largest privately owned home in America. I decided we would combine a trip to Ashville with a return trip to Gatlinburg, a tourist town in the Smokies.
I wanted to go to Chattanooga also but mom was against it. As it turned out, we wouldn't have had the time. We started Saturday morning and made good time. We reached Knoxville around three o'clock and I requested that we find Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Vols. We entered the campus and I took a couple of pictures of the stadium. That was probably the closest to greatness that I have ever been.
Afterwards, we headed east and entered North Carolina. We tried to make it to the visitors center before it closed but we just missed by four minutes. However, we did pick up some motel coupons and used one for that night in Ashville. After unpacking, we drove around and found a cozy barbecue restaurant that served free ice cream. Later, we played a round of miniature golf. I was in a hurry to play because I wanted to get back to the motel to see the last period of a Stanley Cup Finals game on ESPN.
We had to get up early the next day because we hadn't made any plans. A tour of the Biltmore House was ruled out because it cost thirty dollars. I looked at some brochures and found a couple of places about an hour north. It wound up taking about three hours. We took a scenic road called the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Linville, N.C. There were beautiful mountains along the way, but mother cowered in fear because she is afraid of heights.
The elevation continued to rise as we approached our destination. A sign along the road proclaimed the highest point in the eastern United States. We finally reached our exit and grabbed a bite to eat. Our first attraction was Linville Caverns. It is the only caverns in the whole state. The cave was a hiding place for deserters in the Civil War. Our tour guide pointed out unusual formations and blind trout swimming in an underground stream.
After our cave expedition, We drove to Grandfather Mountain. It is the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountains. One must literally drive a mile up to reach the visitors center. Along the way are hiking trails, picnic areas, a nature museum, and an animal habitat. Mom fell in love with two black bear cubs. Due to the narrow road, mom was unable to make it to the visitors center. So I dropped her off and checked it out myself. Next to the visitors center is the highest swinging foot-bridge in America. I threw good sense to the wind and crossed the bridge. My life passed before my eyes, but I made it. Just your typical country stroll.
I located my mother and drove off the mountain. It was time to go back to Ashville. We found a hotel around 8:30 that evening and called it a day. I asked mom if she could handle one more mountain the next day and she said yes. So the next day we drove 25 miles to Chimney Rock Park.
Mother got cold feet when we got to the ticket booth. However, I twisted her arm and up we went. The main attraction of the park is the unique rock on the edge of the mountain. To get to the Chimney Rock you take an elevator inside a mountain 26 stories in thirty seconds. Mom stayed in the Sky Lounge while I walked on the rock. The park also has three hiking trails. We took the Forest Stroll and saw a 404 foot waterfall.
Mom bought some honey in the village and then we set out for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mom had to drive in the rain and after we got off our exit it took forever to find our hotel. It was our last night away from home, and we planned to cram a lot in the next day.
The day started early for mom as she went to a laundromat while I slept. Our first activity was a magic show called Grand Illusion starring Terry Evanswood. We saw a lady levitate in the air, Terry sawed in half, a duck that dances, and several astonishing tricks. Afterwards, we drove five miles to Gatlinburg.
In Gatlinburg we went to the Great Smokies Mega Theatre. It is the biggest movie screen in America at seven stories high. We saw a show on Mount Everest. Next, we ventured into the Guiness World Records Museum. It has hundreds of exhibits on everything you can think of. Weather, the animal kingdom, entertainment, space travel, you name it.
Finally, we walked to Ripley's Moving Theatre. It is a virtual reality simulator where you are strapped into a seat before a movie screen. I was on a roller coaster, snowmobile, and dune buggy. I was thrashed around in my seat and staggered out of the theatre. I wouldn't let mom ride because of health concerns. It was a pleasant return to Gatlinburg after thirteen years. And so, that would conclude our last trip of the century!
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