Our Trip to Gatlinburg in late May 2020

Several months before the whole coronavirus thing happened, we had planned a trip to the Gatlinburg area.  We can't get there enough.  I think we are shooting for 2-3 trips there a year, and that doesn't feel right.  We want more.  This is a magical area on several levels.  I can honestly say that, as we leave town each time, we start talking about our next trip.

This trip was a little different though.  With Kentucky still feeling like it was on lock-down, and travel discouraged....  Gatlinburg Tennessee was popping with life as businesses were opening back up.


We toyed with pushing the trip off for another day..  but we were itching to get out and explore too, though we knew we should be cautious.

Our all time favorite B&B Berry Springs assured us they were being overly careful right now, disinfecting constantly.  Also, we are good at dodging crowds.  We did a lot of hiking around the Berry Springs property, and we drove through the National Park.  I am proud to say that we were careful.

So, with several masks and hand cleaning supplies, we made the 3 plus hour drive south for a desperately needed weekend in Tennessee.

We actually went and walked around the strip in Gatlinburg early one morning before the crowds arrived.  Its nice seeing whats new, but this is generally getting to be a smaller part of each trip with each visit.  Normally, we can walk from one end to the other and back in around an hour.  We are quick and efficient!

You always notice something new though, and we ended up visiting Jonathan's Bear Necessities right in downtown.  I think this was the first time we have ever been in that store.  Have you been?  Man, I liked their sticker, postcard, and t-shirt selection.  They also had a VERY nice local book section (something many shops neglect).  Their prices were reasonable too.

 I was sad to see Cooter's Place has moved to the Pigeon Forge area.  Seeing their old building, now as a Ripley's Attraction was a little sad.  For many of us, the Dukes of Hazzard was a really special show growing up.  Visiting Cooter's right on the strip just seemed right.

Anyway, here are a few pictures!