Gatlinburg, Tenn

[CrackStock]

It appears that I will be in that area may have a couple of days to see some sights. Does anyone know of ML related sights, sites, activities, buiders or vendors in that area?

Thanks in advance,
CS

 

[2172]

be prepared for incredible traffic on the main street...Hank

 

[rmonday2]

Crackstock they use to build ML at DollyWood, and I would bet you could look up the builder on the net or in the area phone book. I'll do a little searching for you, I only live 60 miles away eace:,Ronnie....

CrackStock,type in Gatlinburg Muzzleloading and take your pick.

 

[RJR]

I was there 'tween Christmas and New Year, What a mess, Took three hous to get through town. Won't make that mistake again.

 

[Gary]

R. E. M. - please do tell us what's in Gatlinsburg that's worth a 3 hour traffic snarl. That sounds worse that Atlanta during rush hour.

 

[CrackStock]

Gee fellas, after those resounding recommendations, y'all have just about talked me into just hanging out at the pool or avoiding this deal altogether!

Oh well...

CS

 

One road, one lane each direction through the most heavily visited National Park in the nation dumping its intire contents into this tourist trap of a town that is nothing but gift shops for over 2 miles.

And I havn't been since the 70s! I can't imagine what it is like now!

It makes a root canal sound good!

:youcrazy:

Think about visiting John Sevier's home in Marryville, or Fort Loudoun in Vanore. The entire E TN area is not a tourist trap!

 

[CrackStock]

I knew that it was a tourist trap, but hoped that there would be a few real opportunites. I can look up Sevier's house and Ft. Loudon. I bet that I can bootstrap some other options from those as well! I was hoping to avoid DollyWorld, but I do think that I will try to find the gunbuilder.

Thanks guys,
CS

 

[Slamfire]

Actually the last time I was up there, about 5 years ago, the traffic looked like the Hollywood Freeway on friday evening, with a 30 car pile up. All the way from Gatlinburg to Sevierville. :shocking: I'd rather drive the loop at Branson. :crackup:

 

[Packdog]

Crackstock,

The wife and I were just up there back in June. We went durin gthe week and did not experience any traffic problems. Now if there is a car show or something or you are there on the weekend it will be bad.
On to your question.
web page
I'm not sure the exact distance (1 to 2 hour drive) but I highly recomend the Museum. North of Knoxville in Norris, TN. Not only very interesting and histoorical but they have a examle of a working gunsmith shop. Maybe 10 to 15 guns on display at different places. Lots of original cabins. It takes 2 to 4 hours to see.
Cade's Cove
Also not far from you will be Cade's Cove. Not muzzleloading but historical. Last time I was there on the weekend Cade's Cove was very crowded but still enjoyable.
Fort Loudoun
Not far either will be Fort Loudoun. Pretty nice musuem there from what I remember.

PM me if you want some additional information.
PD

 

[DMURPHY317]

During the week is definatly your best bet. Its been about 5 years since I've been there but I used to go every fall. I'm not familiar with any local builders but in Sevierville there is the Smokey Mountain Knife Works which is pretty interesting. There is a good sized craft community in the area where you might can find some things of interest.

I highly recommend the trip through Cades Cove mentioned earlier, just not on the weekend. I have seen many black bear there and more whitetails than you can shake a stick at, including 2 big 12+ pointers that looked as big as a big mule deer. There is no hunting there so many times you can almost walk up and touch them.

There is a back way in and out just north of town by way of 416 (Birds Creek Road). It runs between 321 and 411 and you can wind your way back to Sevierville. That will allow you to bypass Pigion Forge and all the bad traffic there. Should be able to find it on mapquest.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[loophole]

If you can imagine Myrtle Beach set in the mountains, with only one street through town and no bypass, you'll get the general idea. A monument to bad taste and American lust for overpriced junk. But if you like such things, you can gorge yourself in Gatlinburg and then come over the mountain to Cherokee and get another dose, this time with a fake American Indian motif and a casino! No one ever will go broke underestimating the taste of the american public.

 

[CrackStock]

Thanks for the info guys.

I went during the week and it was still too crowded for me. I stayed outside of town and managed to see Cade's Cove and Ramsey's Cascade.(That was an interesting walk, but the falls were quite worth the effort) I also got in some horseback riding and rafting.

I may make my way back there to Seviersville someday as it seems like there are some itmes there. I also discovered Poppin Moccasins are there.

Thanks again,
CrackStock

 

Wow! what a change...I was last in Gatlinburg about 1960 and it was a sleepy little town with moonshine jars lined up along the main road--their owners just out of sight until you stopped to look. I lived that summer with some mountain folk at nearby Pittman Center and thought I'd stepped back into the early 1800s. Durn developers and tourists ruin anything...