Mountain Things Day One - Vacation 2022

I'm back with more vacation things! I know you've all been waiting with baited breath, ha-ha! This trip felt a bit like a whirlwind and we packed up our whirlwind and headed North on Monday morning! All our luggage was in the family car and all the shower gifts were loaded into our car and away we went to Tennessee! 

The first stop we made was in Ooltewah, Tennessee - we have extended family that live in the area and they own a restaurant called Ooltewah Whistle Stop! It's located right beside the train tracks and is themed to invoke the original train depot of the small town. All the items on the menu are named for songs and the decorations are fabulous - it was quite the neat little spot to stop!

 

 

Multiple trains whizzed by while we were there eating - the first while we were checking out the third floor rooftop dining area. We had to snap pictures all over the cute little restaurant and of course, to end the meal we had to get one of their colossal milkshakes! My younger sister actually ordered the chocolate and cheesecake shake and we all sampled it - there was chocolate shake, a whole graham cracker, a slice of cheesecake and brownie on top! Whoa!   

After our lunch we were on our way again and soon enough we'd exited the interstate and we were making our way to the Parkway to ride along the bends and curves with mountain views spreading out before us! The Smokey Mountains of Tennessee will always hold such a special place in my heart and it brings me such joy to share a place I've always loved with Ryan - the man who now holds my heart and bring me such joy!

After checking in to our resort in Pigeon Forge, we headed out to Gatlinburg to take the Sky Lift up to the Sky Bridge - the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America! The bridge spans 700 feet and has glass panels in the center of the bridge (also the highest point the bridge crosses)... it's not for the faint of heart, but I dug deep and across we went! We even stopped to snap a picture on the glass panels as we crossed them. Eek!

 

 

 

The views were stunning and while my Mom and sister chose to cross back over, Ryan, myself and my Dad decided to walk the trail around the gorge the bridge stretches over and take in the views from the top of the Tulip Tower. Once we made it around the trail, there was another viewing platform that offered some of the same incredible views of Gatlinburg in the valley and the mountains stretching out behind the town!

 

 

We spent some time perusing the gift shop - Ryan and I couldn't resist getting mugs - and then we enjoyed some of the sunset from the rockers placed along the viewing platforms at the top of the ridge. As the sun descended behind the mountain peaks, we hopped back on the Sky Lift and rode back into Gatlinburg to look at some shops and grab a late dinner a Best Italian! 

And no - that's not a whole turkey on a plate - it's one calzone! The menu did note that they were the size of a football but I guess we didn't believe it? Suffice it to say, I'm glad Ryan and I ordered this one to split! It was a hearty end to a long but good day!