A New Year in the Smoky Mountains

For New Year's Eve we went up to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to stay in a big cabin with our family. Paul's brother and sister-in-law found a cabin for all of us, way up at the top of a steep winding road - the cabin was even called "King of the Mountain"! We've been to Pigeon Forge several times, but it was fun to go with the nieces and nephews and take them to some of the kid-friendly stuff in the area.

A waterfall on the drive up from Atlanta at Tallulah Gorge

The road to Pigeon Forge goes straight through the National Park

It was very warm for late December. Normally the highest mountains would be covered with snow.

Fog rolling through the mountain valleys

We drove down through the fog on the other side of the mountains

It was kind of creepy!

We made it to the cabin

Way too much food...a common theme in our lives!

Paul's niece working on an adult coloring book

The view at night from the cabin. That's the glow of Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg

This is pretty much how it looked the whole weekend. That blur is Paul's nephew running by.

We went on an adventure through some more cabins that were under construction. Very creepy at night. Walk the plank!

The view in the day

Can't beat waking up to that view from the bedroom window!

We went for a short hike on the river front Greenway in Pigeon Forge. It was cold.

We made a quick trip up to Ober Gatlinberg. It was really crowded, so we didn't stay long, but it was fun watching the zamboni and ice skaters.

Spinning tunnel at WonderWorks - an interactive play place/science center

Our nephew Gabe liked making huge bubbles

Of course, Paul had to try too :)

Just goofing around at Goats on the Roof! They had an alpine roller coaster too.

Nice domo hat, Gabe!

We played Risk. Paul was red. World domination: achieved.

We tried some moonshine. It was strong!

We also had some beer. Not bad.

On the way back to Atlanta we went for a hike in the National Park, at Alum Cave trail.

There was a lot of needle ice along the trail. It was really cool looking.

The giant overhang near the top of the trail.

Made it to the top!

Beautiful sunny (but cold) view of the mountains.

We had a great time hanging out with family, visiting the tourist stuff in Pigeon Forge, and enjoying nature. We'll be back soon, especially since Dollywood is building a new roller coaster.