I was talking to my friend Cara about my long weekend travel to Tennessee and she was telling me that I should start writing travel journals and it might help others to know the area better.

So here we go:

Its an 8 hour drive from Wash DC to the Smoky Mountains and we were staying in The Preserve, a resort cabin in Sevierville. We started early in the morning and reached Johnson City, TN by 1pm, and thus our lunch spot, quickly searched what’s best in there, and landed in Firehouse Restaurant, for 25 years it has been famous for serving the region’s best authentic hickory smoked bar-b-que specialties, homemade side items and desserts. I had the pulled pork sandwich which was recommended by the waiter, and Sundar has Baby Back ribs. Both of us were very satisfied.

We reached the cabin around 3pm, checked in, was happy to see the resort and our cabin was exactly like how it was in their site. We would have liked little more privacy, but the wonderful views all around made up for it.

Decided to go for a short drive to the mountains, on the way we saw Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, was very surprised to see how commercial the cities have become with all the Ripleys, speed tracks, mini golf, etc and the wedding chapels like 4 in one mile stretch. Lots and lots of pancake houses, made us figure it must be famous for it. But out of the three cities I think I was ok with Gatlinburg’s stretch of entertainment..

And once you enter the Mountains, you get what you came for. The peace and the quiet.

We stopped to hike the Laurel Falls, it was a 2.6 mile roundtrip hike. Falls was just ok, not too big. But the biggest highlight of this hike ? We saw a bear and a cub. Boy.. were we thrilled. Infact me and sundar were planning our wiidlife viewing hike early next day and I said “If we are determined to see one, we will” and right the next second, we spot one. HAHAHA. One sad thing was I couldn’t get a clear enough picture as it was little far from us and it was covered by so many small plants, made it tuff. Nevertheless our experience was just wonderful.

Next day, we went for an early morning drive to the Cades Cove Loop, spotted Elks, many many White Tailed Deer, Wild Turkey.

Had our lunch in Alamo Steakhouse, I had the Filet Mignon with side serving of their famous Alamo Potatoes. It was incredibly delicious. Sundar had the Filet Mignon sandwich and he didnt like it so much.

Drove to Cherokee, NC to visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village. Learnt a lot about the Cherokee Indians and how they lived in the 1700s, their customs, rituals and interestingly how the number 7 had a great meaning to them and their counsels were head by the women. Was also fun to see how the artisans perform their unique inherited talents such as, basket-weaving, bead-making, canoe making, blowgun, masks etc.

Day 3 of our trip, we decided to go Zorbing, its a sport of rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball and it was invented in New Zealand. We did the Zydro - means they filled the ball with some water so its like you are getting a nice wash while you are rolling down the hill. My pants had zipper in them, so I was asked to buy the appropriate wear from their store. I looked like a Zorb product, and we were chatting with all the adrenaline fun seekers, I have to say TN is one of the most friendliest state I have ever been to.

Then we went to Knoxville to meet up with some of my friends. Chatted the night away in a place called SideStreet Tavern: outdoor benches, some Vodkas and Minty shots, railway track right beside the place, so occasional blow horning, it was just amazing.

Day 4, had our breakfast in LogCabin Pancake House, I had the butterscotch pancake and it was so delicious.

We left around 9am fanatically checking the Wimbledon Mens Final scores on our iphones, I was supporting Rafa and Sundar was my foe then. Finally Rafa won, we reached and I was happy! :)