We set off for the heart of Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, which is just a hop, skip and a jump from Dollywood. We were practically to our bed-and-breakfast, The Eight Gables Inn, and I just couldn't wait anymore. John pulled over and sent me running into a store called Knife World to use the restroom. The store was packed with tourists and Tennessee mountain folk all shopping on a Sunday afternoon. Not only does the store carry a large variety of knives but, it had every kind of armament you might need from bazookas to crossbows. I couldn't find the facility as I went up and down the crowded aisles. Finally, a kind young man pointed me in the right direction.
The parking lot of Dollywood filled us with trepidation.
But, inside it was all American, and was pretty much like a Six Flags or Knott’s Berry Farm. Despite the expressions on our faces we actually had a pretty good time.
There was a section of the park devoted to Dolly history. Instead of Mr. Lincoln they had antamatronic gospel singers who I'm sure were quite famous if you were familiar with that scene.
There was a show in which Dolly starred on video while members of her real family traded stories and sang songs with her. The family was live. Dolly was on tape, a good way to keep good family relations.
The rest of the park, green and lush and well landscaped, was a collection of restaurants and the usual games and rides. Here and there were tucked little oddities like a weeping piano and a hot dog. The less said the better about the hot dog.
At closing time it was the obligatory fireworks display as Dolly sang about her Tennessee family on recording. I'm a sucker for fireworks. Then off to the Eight Gables.
