Nobody's perfect - and you can benefit from my mistake.

My last post - the one about Wonderworks - had only been up for about 15 minutes when my cousin called me to let me know, "There is a missing word."

I thought about correcting it.  Then I decided, "No, let's have some fun with this."

As you know, next Wednesday, July 31, is our 17th anniversary of purchasing All Decked Out.  To celebrate, we're holding a one-day sale, and all available dates from August 1 through November 26 will be on sale at a discount of 17%.  That takes the price from $179.00 per night (plus tax) to $148.57 (plus tax).

Now, here's how to benefit from my left-out word.  Go back and read the previous post about Wonderworks.  When you find the missing word, write to me at Dave@SmokiesRentDirect.com.  Tell me the word that's missing and I will send you a coupon code that will take another 10% off the sale price on July 31.  So the price per night will go to only $133.71 (plus tax).

The ONLY way to get that extra discount is to send me an email.  If you post it as a reply (so everybody knows the answer), it's no deal.  It's up to you: take the time to send me an email with the missing word and save another $14.86 (which works out to $16.75 with the tax!) - or just get the 17% discount.  But you have to contact me with your answer by Tuesday noon (July 30) so I can get the coupon code to you in time for the sale on Wednesday.

See - mistakes CAN be profitable!

Upside down or right-side up?

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile - my life has been a little upside down because my lungs decided they want to have a touch of pneumonia.  But I'm getting better every day.

Speaking of upside down, if you've been to Pigeon Forge, you have certainly seen the "Wonderworks" building.  It looks like a storm came through and flipped it over.

Well, when were there recently, I started "wondering" what it would look like right-side up!  So I did a little photography work and came up with this picture.

Looks even more weird, doesn't it!  Maybe that's because the trees are upside down.

By the way, there's nothing 'upside down' or 'weird' about our upcoming one-day sale.  Remember, on July 31, all prices at both All Decked Out and Smoky Mountain Tower will be reduced by 17% - to celebrate our 17th anniversary.  You can find more information at our websites (just click on the cabin names above).  Make your plans now, so you can be right-side up AND save money on your next Gatlinburg vacation.

My birthday present to you

Today - July 17 - is my birthday (go ahead - see if you can guess my age).  In our last post, we promised to save you some money.

In just 14 days - Wednesday, July 31, we will celebrate the 17th anniversary of the day we bought All Decked Out and started renting it out.  Two years later - to the day - we bought Smoky Mountain Tower and began renting it, too.

So, just like we did last year, we're going to celebrate our anniversary (and my birthday) in a special way.

On Wednesday, July 31, we're going to lower all our prices by 17% for all open dates between August 1 and November 26, 2013.  So you will be able to stay at All Decked Out or Smoky Mountain Tower for as low as $148.57 (plus tax).

You can get all the details on our Anniversary Special on the Specials pages for both All Decked Out and Smoky Mountain Tower.  We've even prepared a special "Anniversary FAQ" on both Web sites  to answer your questions.

So start making plans now.  We are posting this special deal on our blog and on Facebook today, so you can get an early start on your planning.  But we will publicize this deal as widely as we can.  So you might want to stay up late on Tuesday night, July 30.  At 12:01 am EDT on Wednesday, July 31, we will change all the prices and you will be able to make your reservation.  But the discounted prices will only be available for 24 hours.

We hope you will help us celebrate our anniversary by saving yourself some money. 

I didn't think the answer was that hard!

A few days ago, we posted a picture of two very fancy overpasses and asked if you knew where they are located.  We even gave you some clues.  But I guess the answer was harder than I thought.

Those bridges are I-40 overpasses that run through the Biltmore property, just west of Exit 50.  The aerial picture shows the exact location.

Have you been to the Biltmore House in Asheville?  If so, then you have driven under these bridges, because they are on the road that leads from the House to the property exit.  The thing that makes the bridges different is the extra stone work to make them blend into the whole theme of the Biltmore. 

Write us if you want more information, because there's a great book that tells how the Biltmore owners worked with the State of North Carolina to allow Interstate 40 to go through their property.

Now, here's a preview for our next post, which will be on July 17.  You will definitely want to read that post very carefully, because it could save you some money at All Decked Out or Smoky Mountain Tower.

Where is this?

Let's see how good you are at guessing a location.  Where was this picture taken?

Here are some hints:
   1. The picture was not taken in Gatlinburg.  In fact, it was not taken in Tennessee
   2.  The picture was taken 83 miles from All Decked Out and Smoky Mountain Tower.
   3.  The picture was taken on private property.
   4.  The picture was taken exactly 4.3 miles from a place we enjoy visiting on our way to and from Gatlinburg.

That should be enough hints.  Let's hear your best guess.  We'll reveal the answer before the weekend is over.

Look at the reflection

I just noticed something in the picture I posted last week of the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.  Go back and look at the reflection in the store window.  Did you see the newest attraction in Pigeon Forge.  Take a look again (this is a little closer picture).

Yep, that is one big ferris wheel!  It's located just a couple blocks west of the Chocolate Factory store at a new place called "The Island in Pigeon Forge."

The wheel is 200 feet tall, has 42 gondolas that each seat 8 people.  Hmmm - that's exactly the number that we can sleep at either Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out!

So now you have one more reason to stay with us.  Go enjoy The Wheel - and lots more at the newest Pigeon Forge attraction!  It's only 20 minutes from either All Decked Out or Smoky Mountain Tower.

If you like chocolate, this is the place for you

One of our friends on our Smokies Yahoo Board is Bob Williams, who owns the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory.  Now, if you know your geography, you know that Dillsboro is in North Carolina - over on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  But Bob has recently opened a shop in Pigeon Forge, and we were able to stop there last week.  The shop is at 2726 Parkway - on the west side of the Parkway, in the Beef Jerky store, between stoplight 3 and 3A.

Inside, you'll find a great selection of the best chocolate you will ever put in your mouth!  We bought a bunch of stuff - almond bark, fudge - and fun chocolate bears.  

So the next time you're visiting Pigeon Forge, be sure to stop by the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory shop and enjoy some of the best chocolate on earth!