Flat Aubie back from Gatlinburg, TN

Flat Aubie has returned from his travels from Gatlinburg, TN!

Dear Anna and Friends,

   

My name is Patty.  I live in Sevierville, Tennessee located at the foot of the Smoky Mountains.  In our community there are really 3 cities:  Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.  The road out of Gatlinburg goes all the way up the Smoky Mountains and over into North Carolina.  It is really beautiful here.  The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited park in the United States and ranks 2^nd only to Disney World in Florida.  It is very beautiful here and tourism is our #1 business.  But, that’s really great because people in the south are very friendly and I think Tennessee is the most friendliest of all.  So, we really like our visitors.

We have many attractions here to keep you busy.  A trip to our Ripley’s aquarium will provided a fun time and it is fun education.  It’s great to learn new things while you’re having a great time walking through a glass tunnel where the fish and sharks can swim around you and act like you are the attraction (or maybe even the treat!),  manta rays who look like big water bats can be touched and the penguins will walk with you.  An attraction that is up on top of one of our mountains in the Smoky range is Ober Gatlinburg.  We have ski lifts and trams to take people up there to ice skate in a year round ice skating rink, snow skiing, and many rides and games to play.  There is, also, a natural animal habitat where bears, otters and raccoons live very peaceably and protected. Money collected as admission to Ober Gatlinburg is donated to the national park service for upkeep and protection of the animals who live here. 

The Smoky Mountains are smoky because of all the diverse plant life found there.  It’s like having our own little rain forest and Eco system. 

Dolly Parton grew up in Pigeon Forge and is a great benefactor to our school system and community.  She has helped to sponsor a new hospital in Sevierville and promotes reading programs throughout our state.  Miss Dolly has a few attractions here that are fun to attend:  Dollywood and the Dixie Stampede.  At Dollywood, there are rides, games, theater shows and so much to see and do.  The Kratt Brothers from Zooboomafoo were here for 2 months teaching everyone about wild life.  How interesting was that!!!  At Dixie Stampede dinner is served while the show is going on.  The dinner is wonderful, but, so much food to eat!  Everyone in the audience receives a  whole chicken, potato, soup, corn on the cob, a huge buttery biscuit,  a fried apple pie,  and as much tea or soda as you would like. Taking some home in a doggy- bag always helps. At the same time in the arena, the long horned steers or buffalo are running through.  There is a beautiful act that has an Indian thunderbird flying through the air over top of the audience, swooping down and raising up again to the top of the roof.  That is magical to see.  The southern belles are dainty and graceful and the greased pig race is funny.  The cowgirls are great riders and the horses are very well trained.  Some of them can even count!!.

Down town, we have so much to do.  But, when the day is over and Mom and Dad are tired and want to come back to the Wyndham Resort to rest, that’s where some of the real fun begins!!  We have indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, a spray ground, playground, miniature golf, ping pong, an arcade, and lots and lots of activities and games and even movie shows.  We make Bear Claw necklaces, blankets, and T-shirt painting.

Tennessee is a Wonderful place to visit, Anna, and I hope we will be seeing you and your family back here again very soon.  Until then, I’m very glad Aubie came for a visit with you and I HOPE HE CAN GET TO GO TO MANY MORE INTERESTING PLACES SOON.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And, a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

PATTY

Click here to check out pictures of my trip!

Anna