"What do you do on Sunday?"

I just got an email from guests who are coming to Smoky Mountain Tower in about 10 days.  They had a great question:

"Where do you go to church when you're in Gatlinburg?"

There are a number of good churches in the area, and we've attended several of them.  But the last time we were there on Sunday (late August), we attended First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg (http://fbcgatlinburg.org/).  As you can see below, it was a beautiful day!

















The church is on the East Parkway, about 15 minutes from either Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out.  They have both a contemporary service and a traditional service.  A lot of tourists attend and the local people always have welcomed us warmly.  Most importantly, you will hear the Word of God preached faithfully, including the story of Christ's redeeming love for us through His death on the cross for our sins.

So when you're in Gatlinburg on Sunday, we recommend you do what we do and visit First Baptist Church.

I missed you!

This is Dave, the owner of All Decked Out and Smoky Mountain Tower.  I do most of the posts on our blog and on Facebook.

I can't believe that it has been nine days since our last post.  I try to post every four or five days.  But last week, I woke up with a very nasty inner ear problem that really laid me low.  I didn't have any pain, but I couldn't sit up without horrible nausea and dizziness.  Thankfully, I'm doing better - but I'm still not back to normal.

However, I've missed communicating with you about all the things going on in Gatlinburg.  Here we are at the middle of October.  We've heard from our guests that the weather hasn't been the best and the traffic has been really heavy.  We can't do anything about the weather, but we have a couple of traffic hints for you.

Most people seem to come into (and leave from) Gatlinburg through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.  But here's a map that shows how to travel east to I-40 on Highway 321.  It may be a little out of your way, but you will probably save time.

If you really want to go the normal way, here's an option that will let you skip most of the Sevierville and Pigeon Forge traffic.  On highway 66, right after you past Kroger and Lowes, watch for a left turn on to North Parkway.  Follow this around to Dolly Parton Parkway.  Then turn left on the Parkway and travel east about a mile to Veterans Parkway (TN highway 449).  Turn right on Veterans Parkway and follow it all the way down to the southern part of Pigeon Forge.  It will feed you out on to the Pigeon Forge Parkway just a couple of blocks north of Dixie Stampede - less than a mile north of the southern end of Pigeon Forge.

Just reverse the route if you're leaving Gatlinburg.  This will usually save you a bunch of time ... and frustration.  In fact, you might want to print out this post and put it in your Gatlinburg file.

Oh yeah - the weather.  Accuweather says it's supposed to be really beautiful for almost the next two weeks.  Longer term, it looks like the early part of November could also be really nice.  And we've got a few nights open during this time.  So you might want to think about a last-minute trip.  In fact, if you write to Marcia (Marcia@SmokiesRentDirect.com) and mention this post, she might give you a last-minute discount!  Just sayin.....

If you like snow...

When we were in Gatlinburg a few days ago, we talked with several of the locals.  The weather word at this point is that the winter of 2012-2013 could be very different from the last winter.

The 2011-2012 winter was practically a non-event, with mild temperatures and very little snow.  But that could change for the coming winter.  Colder and more snow!  That's what we heard from the folks we spoke with.

We decided to check out the rumors.  So we went to the Web site for the Old Farmer's Almanac.  They seem to be saying the same thing.  You can check it out for yourself at this link:  http://www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/region/us/8.

Now, please don't think we're trying to scare you away.  Yes, our cabins are up in the mountains over Gatlinburg.  But in 16 years of renting them, we have had only 2 or 3 times when guests were either snowed in or couldn't get to one of the cabins.  And if you are really concerned, we offer comprehensive travel insurance on our reservation site at a very modest price that may protect you against weather difficulties.   

But if you're a snow lover - or a skiier - you're gonna have a blast!  We're only about 10 minutes from Ober Gatlinburg.  And starting on January 2, 2013, the rates drop to only $159.00 per night (plus tax).  So make your reservations now, while we still have good availability and you can get the dates you want.  If you have more questions, please write to me - Dave - at dave@smokiesrentdirect.com.

After the rain...

We made a very fast trip to All Decked Out in Gatlinburg on Monday night, arriving after dark ... in the rain!  The forecast was for more rain today.  But after a brief early-morning shower, the sun peaked through the clouds, which were very low.  In fact, we were in the clouds!  I grabbed my camera and took a few exterior pictures - like this one:

Then I went over to the house across the street and took this picture from their deck:


















The point is this.  Sometimes we hear people say, "Oh, I don't want to go to Gatlinburg if it's going to rain."  But these pictures are proof that some of the best scenes are in periods where it is raining or has just finished raining.  Don't let the weather stop you.  It's beautiful in Gatlinburg in all types of weather!

We'll tell you more about this trip in coming posts.  As usual, there is lots going on!

It's supposed to be a REALLY GOOD FALL!

We just got the word, and we're passing it on to you.  According to a news story on WATE-TV in Knoxville, we are supposed to have a really good fall color season in the Smokies this year. 

The news story said the trees are just beginning to turn in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and should reach their peak at Clingman's Dome around the second or third week in October.  The tree color in Gatlinburg will be a little later.  But the colors are supposed to last for about 7 weeks!

If you'd like to read the whole story and watch their video, here is the link:

http://www.wate.com/story/19637704/gatlinburg-getting-ready-for-good-showing-of-fall-colors


We also have another way for you to check color progression in the Smokies.  There's a guy who takes regular pictures throughout the season at different locations and posts the pictures online.  Here's the link:

http://discoverpigeonforgecabins.com/fc2012/fall-colors-2012.htm

If you've made your reservation to stay at Smoky Mountain Tower or All Decked Out in October or early November, you're going to be VERY glad you did.  If not, there are a few open dates.  Please go to our Web sites and click "Availability" to find the dates that work best for you.

 

We're BAAAACK! And you can still save!

In our last post, we told you were were "disappearing" for about 10 days - and we would tell you where we went after we got home.  So here's our report.

We spent a week at the Grand Caymanian Resort on Grand Cayman Island - to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary!  It's a fantastic place - take a look!  This picture shows the resort from the end of their private dock.















This is the pool area, with the restaurant in the background.















We had a wonderful anniversary dinner at a great Italian restaurant - Casanova By The Sea.















And here's a shot of the sunset we enjoyed during dinner.















One of the things we found out while we were there was that we can get an extra week next year at the resort.  So if you'd like a change of pace from the mountains, please contact us to let us tell you how we can save you some money in Grand Cayman.  We think the Cayman Islands are the best of the Caribbean.  It's a classy place - with a population of around 50,000 people and over 600 banks - and no tax!

Speaking of saving money, we still have this coming weekend open at All Decked Out - and it's still available at our 20% September discount.  But you must hurry - this special will be GONE by Wednesday.  Details are on our Specials page - www.SmokiesRentDirect.com/All-Decked-Out/Specials.

Time for a break - but you can still save

Everybody needs a break!  That's why you come to Gatlinburg, isn't it?

When Phyllis and I are ready for a break, we can't go to Gatlinburg - because all we do is work!  But after several months of travel and fairly constant work on a bunch of projects, we need to "refresh."  So we are OUTTA HERE!

We'll be back in about 10 days.  When we get back, we'll tell you where we've been.  But we can tell you this - we won't be answering the phone and we probably won't be able to check email very often.  Not too worry - Marcia and Angie have everything under control, and Ingrid is right there to take care of any immediate situation.

Meanwhile, you can STILL SAVE MONEY.  We still have good nights available this month at 20% off.  We've already had guests take advantage of this great deal.  But you'll have to hurry - time is running out.  For details, please visit the "Specials" pages on our Web sites:

  -All Decked Out - www.SmokiesRentDirect.com/All-Decked-Out/Specials
  -Smoky Mountain Tower - www.SmokyMountainTower.com/Specials

We'll see you soon with information about our trip.  And - if we get a good rest, we might do another special for October!