Tag: Heather Anne

Winter in Cocoa Beach, Florida!

by Heather Anne • January 21, 2019

The Pier at Cocoa Beach

Winter in Cocoa Beach, Florida: Open for Business!

While many beaches across the United States are closing up shop for the Winter, Florida’s beaches stay open throughout the year! And with temperatures frequently getting up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius), and higher, even in the peak of winter they are a joy to visit! So don’t pack away your shorts and swimsuits just yet – instead consider packing your bags for a winter visit to the Florida coast for some fun in the sun!

The Iconic Cocoa Beach Pier

The Pier at Cocoa Beach, and neighboring beachfront, is the most popular attraction in Cocoa Beach. This historic and iconic pier was built in 1962. Here you will find sunbathers, swimmers, volleyball players, bars, restaurants, retail, and fishing off the Pier. For a nominal fee you can rent fishing time and equipment (including the fishing poles and gear as well as a fish cleaning station!) Fishing season here ends on December 15, but you can get some “winter” fishing in if you arrive before then! If you just want to enjoy the views, there’s a small charge. But if you buy something – anything – from one of the shops, you can show your receipt for free admission.

Cocoa Beach: popular with surfers

Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center

Nearby you can also explore Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center Visitors’ Complex. Attractions at the Kennedy Space Center include the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Rocket Garden, the Hubble Space Telescope Theater, Astronaut Training Simulators, the Shuttle Launch Experience, and much more! If you crave space, this is the place! This area is often referred to as “Florida’s Space Coast” in tourist brochures. Surfers just call it paradise! If you fancy a cruise on one of the major cruise lines, those depart from neighboring Port Canaveral.

Ron Jon Surf Shop: largest surf shop in the world!

Surfer’s Paradise

Cocoa Beach is notorious for being a draw for surfers. The Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach consists of 52,000 square feet spread across multiple buildings. The complex includes a gigantic retail outlet, surf museum, and surf lesson studio! It’s the largest surf shop in the world! So no surf gear, no surf skills, no problem! Ron Jon’s will have you soaking up the sun and traversing the tides in no time!

Winter Wonderland: Cocoa Beach, Florida!

Cocoa Beach is a fun place to relax and unwind or test out your surfing skills, whatever the season! Should you be visiting nearby Cape Canaveral, don’t overlook the additional attractions here in Cocoa Beach, well worth the detour! Furthermore, if you’re cruising out of Port Canaveral and arriving by car, consider making a stop after your cruise to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of this beautiful beach!

You may view my full tour of Cocoa Beach here!:

Florida has destinations besides beaches, believe it or not! Most notably, there’s Orlando! Check out my post here!:

Orlando, FL – a Tale of Two Hotels, an Eye in the Sky, and a Trip Around the World!

And for more travel all around the world, visit the Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube channel!:

Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube Channel

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A German Christmas in Frankenmuth, Michigan!

by Heather Anne • December 24, 2018

Holiday Horse & Carriage Ride

Frankenmuth, Michigan is rated one of the most “Christmas-ish” towns in America, and for good reason! What better way to celebrate the holiday than to stroll through this fantastically festive holiday wonderland?! Better yet, hop on a holiday horse and carriage ride and let the jingle bells of your horse heighten the holiday atmosphere!

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland

No Christmas visit to Frankenmuth is complete without a stop at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the biggest Christmas store in the world! Here you will be enveloped in Christmas spirit… albeit the commercial kind… with thousands upon thousands of holiday decorations to choose from. There are ornaments here for every subject, person, place, and thing – walls of them, and a multitude of trees in a rainbow of colors to adorn with them. Also available are a bounty of Christmas village displays and other decorations. You could get completely lost in here, completely immersed in holiday cheer, mesmerized by the glow of twinkling lights and shiny globes!

Bavarian inn, from 1888

Frankenmuth was put on the map by German settlers in the 1880s, and the German influence abounds in the form of gingerbread house architecture, wooden carving, a brewery and brewing museum, and other nods to the homeland (note the clock towers and blue and white Bavarian flag checkerboard patterns on window shutters!) Christmas is also a major contributor to Bavarian culture, and in the spirit of this the town is illuminated and festooned to the hilt for the holidays!

Frankenmuth Clock Shop

Many German traditions are practiced in Frankenmuth, including the wood carving of cuckoo and other German clocks here at the Frankenmuth Clock Shop. Craving fine German cuisine and great beer? Frankenmuth boasts many great German restaurants!

Covered Bridge

At night Frankenmuth becomes perhaps even more spectacular – as the sun goes down and the lights come up. Whether strolling over the old Covered Bridge or holiday window shopping on a Silent Night at the brilliantly bedecked River Place Shops, Frankenmuth is truly a Christmas delight. For me, Christmas came early being here in Frankenmuth, Michigan!

Holiday Shopping at River Place Shops

Watch my full tour of a Frankenmuth, Michigan Christmas on YouTube here!:

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Jaunty, Jovial Juneau, Alaska!

by Heather Anne • December 17, 2018

Mt. Roberts Tramway, Juneau

Juneau, Alaska is one of the more “metropolitan” destinations in Alaska, yet maintains its Old West, quaint town feel. On this day, I was feeling even more than that… I was feeling drenched from the torrential downpours that happened upon the city on that densely overcast day! Unfortunately, a highlight of Juneau, the Mt. Roberts Tramway, was not on my agenda with visibility from the peak nearing zero! Many others made the trek in spite of cloudy skies.

“Downtown” Juneau

I opted instead for a stroll, umbrella in tow, through the main streets. While a small handful of what could loosely be defined “skyscrapers” dot the downtown district, most of the architecture harks back to an earlier time. Some of the building fronts resemble an Old Western movie set, the shadowy fringes of treetops on the mountains peeking out from billowing clouds looming in the background. I imagined Bob Ross capturing these mountains in a painting…

Old Western Style Building Fronts

If you wish to venture out further, there are glaciers available to visit on a day trip. If you choose to embark on such an adventure, or a tramway ride, I am hopeful your weather will be more cooperative!

For a short video tour of a rainy day in Juneau, you can watch my YouTube video here:!

travel

Ketchikan, Alaska: Quirky and Wild

by Heather Anne • December 10, 2018

Clan House, Totem Bight State Park

Ketchikan is your typical first Alaskan stop on an Alaskan cruise itinerary, and it offers a tantalizing contrast in cultures to explore! The best place to start your adventure first is Totem Bight State Park, where you can discover and learn about Native American culture in Alaska, their totem poles, and enter one of their clan houses, brilliantly restored and preserved.

Richly decorated totem pole

This one is akin to a cemetery stone

Welcome to Ketchikan sign near the port

The area around the port hosts many retail shops, and can be crowded when multiple cruise ships are docked. Perhaps the most interesting sight here at the port is “The Rock” statue.

“The Rock”

According to the Ketchikan Story Project, “The Rock tells the story of how Alaska’s First City came to be. Six of the seven figures on the sculpture represents a prominent archetype in the city’s history – a fisherman, a miner, a logger, a bush pilot, a frontierswoman, a native drummer. The seventh represents an actual historic figure – Chief Johnson, a Tlingit who stands on top of ‘The Rock,’ symbolizing the fact that his people were the first to make their home in SE Alaska.” (www.ketchikanstories.com)

Fishing culture

Fishing is a vital component of the Alaskan culture, and there is no shortage of evidence of this here in Ketchikan. Boats bob peacefully along the docks in a “skyline” of masts at the port, while beyond them brightly colored wooden houses dot the shoreline, and towering dark green mountains are nestled in puffs of mist and clouds behind them.

Creek Street Boardwalk

Another not-to-be-missed attraction in Ketchikan is the historic Creek Street Boardwalk. It can be a challenge to navigate – attracting hoards of eager tourists – but it is well worth the effort. Here wooden houses in a rainbow of colors sit upon a lengthy boardwalk creek front, where miniature waterfalls provide a chance to witness leaping salmon. There is history here, including “Dolly’s House,” a brothel from 1919. Of course, retail shopping opportunities abound as well, given the crowds.

Ketchikan is quirky and wild, a place of great contrasts, and an excellent place to start your Alaskan journey!

You can view my tour of Ketchikan here:!

Donation

I am extremely grateful for your generous donation to help keep the site running! This site and individual posts are not sponsored! A dollar may not be a lot, but every dollar counts!

$1.00

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Tour Ketchikan Alaska: Quirky and Wild

by Heather Anne • December 10, 2018

Clan House, Totem Bight State Park

Tour Ketchikan, Alaska

Richly decorated totem pole

Totem Poles

Totem poles served a variety of different purposes. In front of a clan house, it could serve as an “address” marker, much like our address number and street. Others convey local legends, or honor a local clan. And others serve as grave markers, much like cemetery stones. Whatever the purpose, all of these monuments are beautiful works of art to be cherished. Do you want to better understand Native American cultures? These totems and their iconography are a great place to start!

This one is akin to a cemetery stone

Totem Bight State Park

The totems are decorated in rich, bold colors and depict a wealth of different designs. Animals are abundant in totem design. At Totem Bight State Park there are many different types of totems to compare and contrast. And, if you’re lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of a whale from the waterfront! When you visit the park, you’ll notice the totems are being restored in one of the buildings on-site. I was fascinated as I watched the process in action!

Welcome to Ketchikan sign near the port

Around the Port

The area around the port hosts many retail shops, and can be crowded when multiple cruise ships are docked. Many cruisers head straight for the cannabis store across the street. And it’s easy to be tempted by the many places selling preserved salmon. There are many benches out here to relax, and enjoy the views of the harbor. But perhaps the most interesting sight here at the port is “The Rock” statue.

“The Rock”

The Rock

Fishing culture

Peaceful Fishing Village

Tour Ketchikan Alaska and you’ll quickly realize fishing is a vital component of the Alaskan culture. And there is no shortage of evidence of this here near the port of Ketchikan. Boats bob peacefully along the docks in a “skyline” of masts at the port, while beyond them brightly colored wooden houses dot the shoreline, and towering dark green mountains are nestled in puffs of mist and clouds behind them. I found the scene charming and perfect, in a picture-postcard kind of way.

Creek Street Boardwalk

So tour Ketchikan Alaska! Ketchikan is quirky and wild, a place of great contrasts, and an excellent place to start your Alaskan journey! You can view my tour of Ketchikan here:!

For more on Alaska, visit my post on Skagway here.

And if you’d like to learn more about Ketchikan, check out the official tourist site here. To find and book a great Alaska tour, visit Viator here! (This is an affiliate link and I may earn a commission to help fund this blog, at NO cost to you. I never promote companies I don’t personally use and endorse.)

travel

Alaska’s Inside Passage: Mysterious Beauty and Pristine Wilderness!

by Heather Anne • December 3, 2018

Some trees appear to float on air in the mist

During the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship’s Alaska itinerary, the trip through the Inside Passage’s wonderful wilderness is a breathtaking highlight. It is a surreal world of icebergs, weightlessly wafting puffy clouds of mist, placid green-hued waters (so tinted due to sediment from the glaciers), and endless armies of pine trees descending mountains alongside strings of waterfalls that lay like whimsical ribbons on the landscape.

Waterfall “ribbons”

The journey is slow, as the ship greatly reduces speed through this area, both for safety (icebergs abound), and because this is not a path of travel or means to an end, it is a destination in and of itself. There was one time on the cruise it seemed like everyone else was on their balcony too (I know because I was out there all the time when not at port!) and this was it, the clicking of photos being snapped the only sound echoing in this peaceful paradise.

Calm waters melt into the soft outlines of mist

With the waters so calm and the mist so surreal in its softness, at times the outline between the two is only a faint one. The icebergs peeking through the serene waters and hunter green humps of land peering through the billowy mists breach the illusion and tell you where the outline begins.

Thick rows of fog striping the sky

The thickness of the fog completely obscures the land behind it at times, as if keeping the secret of a great surprise it could reveal at any moment… and does. It stripes the sky in rows… and dissipates rapidly only to form again, a playful shapeshifter.

Where does the water begin?

The inside passage is like an alien world in its mysterious beauty and pristine wilderness. While the Bliss did not continue all the way to Sawyer Glacier as planned for safety’s sake (amid the thick fog and weather conditions), I was completely satiated after seeing the spectacular wonder of wilderness that is the Inside Passage, and would later see other glaciers in Skagway.

My video tours of Alaska’s Inside Passage and the Norwegian Bliss may be found here!:

Inside Passage:

Norwegian Bliss:

Donation

I am extremely grateful for your generous donation to help keep the site running! This site and individual posts are not sponsored! A dollar may not be a lot, but every dollar counts!

$1.00

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Alaska’s Inside Passage

by Heather Anne • December 3, 2018

Some trees appear to float on air in the mist

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship’s Alaska itinerary is an amazing adventure! Sailing through Alaska’s Inside Passage offers a wonderful wilderness that is a breathtaking highlight of any Alaska cruise. It is a surreal world of icebergs, weightlessly wafting puffy clouds of mist, placid green-hued waters (so tinted due to sediment from the glaciers), and endless armies of pine trees descending mountains alongside strings of waterfalls that lay like whimsical ribbons on the landscape. It’s a break taking sight to behold. This experience should be on everyone’s bucket list!

Waterfall “ribbons”

The journey is slow, as the ship greatly reduces speed through this area, both for safety (icebergs abound), and because this is not a path of travel or means to an end, it is a destination in and of itself. There was one time on the cruise it seemed like everyone else was on their balcony too (I know because I was out there all the time when not at port!) and this was it. The clicking of photos being snapped was the only sound echoing in this peaceful paradise. It would be impossible to describe these scenes; a camera is essential for capturing it!

Calm waters melt into the soft outlines of mist

Thick rows of fog striping the sky

Fog – a Playful Shapeshifter

Where does the water begin?

Blissful and Unbelievable

Alaska’s Inside Passage is like an alien world in its mysterious beauty and pristine wilderness. While the Bliss did not continue all the way to Sawyer Glacier as planned for safety’s sake (amid the thick fog and weather conditions), I was completely satiated after seeing the spectacular wonder of wilderness that is the Inside Passage, and would later see other glaciers in Skagway. If you love a peaceful place, sail into spectacular silence here in the wilds of Alaska. My video tours of Alaska’s Inside Passage and the Norwegian Bliss may be found here!:

Here’s the Inside Passage:

And you can view my tour of the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship, from which I filmed this video, here:

You can read more about Alaska in my posts about Ketchikan here, or Skagway here. Finally, you can read more about Alaska’s Inside Passage, and view a map, here on their official website.

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The Beautiful, Bold, and Breathtaking Brand New Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship!

by Heather Anne • November 26, 2018

The Norwegian Bliss

The Norwegian Bliss cruise ship sailed its maiden cruise this past spring, and I had the opportunity to sail on the Bliss in August on Norwegian’s Alaska itinerary out of Seattle, Washington. A spectacular experience on a spectacular ship!

The Bliss docked in Victoria, B.C., Canada

The Bliss has 19 decks, and a 4,990 occupancy rate (double occupancy!) It holds a crew of 1,700. As impressive as the stats on this ship are, they cannot prepare you for the experience of witnessing this beautiful, breathtaking behemoth in person! The artwork on the hull is titled “Cruising with the Whales” and was created by renowned marine artist Wyland.

Spectacular chandelier in one of the main lobbies

The interior design of the Bliss makes it as magnificent as the exterior! The decor is elegant, grandiose, and best of all, clever and creative. I felt spoiled on eye candy at every moment on the Bliss.

Savor complimentary dining room

The Bliss is abundant with options for dining, including many complimentary and specialty choices. The decor in the dining rooms is upscale and trendy; I felt like a VIP no matter where I dined, whether there was a charge or not. Service was always prompt, courteous, and friendly, and the meals were a delight to my palate!

Sugarcane Mojito Bar – my favorite hangout on the ship

In addition to dining outlets there are many bars on the Bliss, often tastefully themed. I was especially partial to the Sugarcane Mojito Bar, where the decor was classic Havana and there were a myriad of different flavors of Mojito, all delicious, to choose from. It was a great place to relax, enjoy the views of the ocean, and meet fellow passengers while enjoying some of the best drinks I’ve ever tasted!

Balcony cabin on the Bliss

The balcony cabin was spacious, comfortable, and delightfully decorated. The mattress was dreamy, and I appreciated the many options for storage and abundance of electrical outlets. I never felt cramped in the bathroom, either. These were very pleasant surroundings for my stay on the sea!

The entertainment was outstanding on the Bliss, including the Tony-award-winning “Jersey Boys” show, “Havana!” a Cuban music and cultural extravaganza, and the New Orleans speakeasy inspired “Happy Hour Prohibition” musical. I was enthralled and moved by all three shows. And of course, there is plenty more nightlife to come post-show in the exciting nightclubs!

The Bliss has ample amenities, even including a go-kart track on the top deck, laser tag, and the wildest water park slides I’ve ever witnessed on a cruise ship. And if all that wasn’t enough, the spectacular views of Alaska’s Inside Passage from up on deck or the privacy of your balcony – priceless!

I would recommend the Bliss cruise ship to anyone with absolutely zero hesitation. To this day, it is in my opinion the greatest cruise ship I have ever had the pleasure to sail on. I experienced no issues or problems whatsoever at any point during the cruise, either.

I have posted a full video tour of the Bliss, including a first-person view from inside the go karts, here!:

Donation

I am extremely grateful for your generous donation to help keep the site running! This site and individual posts are not sponsored! A dollar may not be a lot, but every dollar counts!

$1.00

travel

Getting High on Life in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee!

by Heather Anne • November 19, 2018

Morning mountain mist

The Great Smoky Mountains, and corresponding National Park, straddle the states of Tennessee and North Carolina in the southern United States. My entry point into this natural wonderland was Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As I enjoyed the breathtaking view from the rocking chair of my porch, the Smoky Mountains namesake morning mist hovered, weaving its way through the mountaintops, and providing a perfect sight from which to contemplate the day’s adventures on which I would embark! (For more on where I stayed during my visit to the Smoky Mountains, look for my Wyndham Legacy Smoky Mountains Resort tour blog linked below.)

Scenic overlook in the Park

A visit to Smoky Mountains National Park in undeniably the first place you are going to want to begin your adventure. In one of nature’s ultimate playgrounds you will discover many natural wonders, as well as, as the National Park Service describes, “One of the best collections of log buildings in the Eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures – houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools, and grist mills – have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.” (www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/historicbuildings.htm) These minimalist yet fascinating structures give a good glimpse of what life was like in the 1800s in the rural South.

John Oliver Cabin, from 1822

For the energetically-inclined there are an array of hiking trails available in all difficulty levels, from short to long, and from easy to challenging. Hiking options are listed on the National Park Service’s Smoky Mountains website, and hiking trail maps are available at the Welcome Center (as well as driving tour maps of the Park.) On these journeys you will witness waterfalls (in varying sizes), creeks, and dense forests of a multitude of varieties of trees. A hike in the Smoky Mountains stimulates all of the senses, with spectacular views of the mountains, the soothing sounds of bubbling brooks and trees rustling in the wind, and the smell of pine… truly a feast for the senses! Enjoy breathing in the fresh, pure air while you indulge in the epitome of peacefulness!

Strolling along a bubbling creek

One of the greatest perks of a visit to Smoky Mountains National Park is enjoying the abundance of wildlife therein! The Park is most well-known for their Black Bear population. When you see a log jam of cars parked illegally along the road and no scenic overlook – you can safely assume it’s a makeshift wildlife viewing stop! And if people are looking up into the trees, they are likely viewing black bears, for whom the treetops are a favorite hangout!

Black Bear

“The Island” ferris wheel

I quickly realized upon arriving in Pigeon Forge that, well… it’s not for everyone. An extreme contrast from the National Park, the area is overwhelmingly commercial, touristic, and in some cases, tacky. Nonetheless I was drawn to the giant Ferris wheel at “The Island,” which towered over the town. Here there is a small amusement park, numerous restaurants, and a bounty of retail shops. I had preferred to do my shopping at the National Park Service’s shop where proceeds from my sale went to help the park, so I wasn’t in the market for more retail outlets at that point. For the celebrity restauranteur aficionado, Jimmy Buffett and Paula Deen both have restaurants here at “The Island.” There is also a pizza place I was familiar with called “Mellow Mushroom.” While I did not partake in their offerings on this visit, I had eaten at other locations for each of these restaurants in the past and greatly enjoyed the meal, so if you are looking for a dinner experience here in Pigeon Forge (and prefer to avoid the heavily billboard-promoted and, at least in some cases, “obnoxious” dinner show buffets in town), I would recommend any of these dining outlets.

Wyndham Legacy Resort, Sevierville, TN.

Please refer to my post linked below if you are interested in great accommodations from which to enjoy your Smoky Mountain Experience! The Legacy Resort by Wyndham is definitely a place I look forward to returning to again and again:

Bountiful Bliss at Wyndham “Legacy” Smoky Mountain Resort!

And you can watch my video tour of Smoky Mountains National Park here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhUR3UA4ijY

Donation

I am extremely grateful for your generous donation to help keep the site running! This site and individual posts are not sponsored! A dollar may not be a lot, but every dollar counts!

$1.00

Travelogue

Getting High on Life in the Great Smoky Mountains!

by Heather Anne • November 19, 2018

Morning mountain mist

Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains, and corresponding National Park, straddle the states of Tennessee and North Carolina in the southern United States. My entry point into this natural wonderland was Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As I enjoyed the breathtaking view from the rocking chair of my porch, the Smoky Mountains namesake morning mist hovered. It weaved its way through the mountaintops, providing a perfect sight from which to contemplate the day’s adventures on which I would embark! (For more on where I stayed during my visit to the Smoky Mountains, look for my Wyndham Legacy Smoky Mountains Resort tour blog linked below.)

Scenic overlook in the Park

Smoky Mountains National Park

A visit to Smoky Mountains National Park in undeniably the first place you are going to want to begin your adventure. This is one of nature’s ultimate playgrounds. Here you will discover many natural wonders, including beautiful natural scenery and wildlife. Additionally, as the National Park Service describes, “One of the best collections of log buildings in the Eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures – houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools, and grist mills – have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park.” (www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/historicbuildings.htm) These minimalist yet fascinating structures give a good glimpse of what life was like in the 1800s in the rural South.

John Oliver Cabin, from 1822

Hiking Trails

For the energetically-inclined there are an array of hiking trails available. No matter what your difficulty level, there’s a trail here for you. They range from short to long, and from easy to challenging. Hiking options are listed on the National Park Service’s Smoky Mountains website. Hiking trail maps are available at the Welcome Center (as well as driving tour maps of the Park.) On these journeys you will witness waterfalls (in varying sizes), creeks, and dense forests of a multitude of varieties of trees. A hike in the Smoky Mountains stimulates all of the senses! You get spectacular views of the mountains, the soothing sounds of bubbling brooks and trees rustling in the wind, and the smell of pine… truly a feast for the senses! Enjoy breathing in the fresh, pure air while you indulge in the epitome of peacefulness!

Strolling along a bubbling creek

Wildlife

One of the greatest perks of a visit to Smoky Mountains National Park is enjoying the abundance of wildlife! The Park is most well-known for their Black Bear population. When you see a log jam of cars parked illegally along the road and no scenic overlook – you can safely assume it’s a makeshift wildlife viewing stop! And if people are looking up into the trees, it’s probably not birds. Instead, they are likely viewing black bears, for whom the treetops are a favorite hangout! I also saw many deer in the park. This National Park is FREE, but the scenery is priceless!

Black Bear

Pigeon Forge

If you still have the energy after all of the walking, hiking, and driving through the Park, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, minutes away, is billed as a tourist Mecca for the area, where nightlife is readily available and tourists flock to in droves! I quickly realized upon arriving in Pigeon Forge that, well… it’s not for everyone. An extreme contrast from the National Park, the area is overwhelmingly commercial, touristic, and in some cases, tacky. Nonetheless I was drawn to the giant Ferris wheel at “The Island,” which towered over the town. Here there is a small amusement park, numerous restaurants, and a bounty of retail shops. I had preferred to do my shopping at the National Park Service’s shop where proceeds from my sale went to help the park, so I wasn’t in the market for more retail outlets at that point.

“The Island” ferris wheel

Delightful Dinner

For the celebrity restauranteur aficionado, Jimmy Buffett and Paula Deen both have restaurants here at “The Island.” There is also a pizza place I was familiar with called “Mellow Mushroom.” While I did not partake in their offerings on this visit, I had eaten at other locations for each of these restaurants in the past and greatly enjoyed the meal. So if you are looking for a dinner experience here in Pigeon Forge (and prefer to avoid the heavily billboard-promoted and, at least in some cases, “obnoxious” dinner show buffets in town), I would recommend any of these dining outlets.