Lorry Perkins
Writer, Travel Blogger
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Shoes On…Still Traveling More Travel Destinations: The Smoky Mountains
What do you do when you can’t travel to Mexico? Pivot to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Travel changed for us last year due to the pandemic, so we looked into other options to feed our desire to explore. Last summer, we spent five days in a cabin nestled high in the Smoky Mountains on the quiet side in Wears Valley. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are top of mind when visiting this area, but we were determined to social distance, staying out of crowds, so those destinations were not on our list this time.
Red Wolf Lodge
The four-bedroom luxury cabin, Red Wolf Lodge, had everything we needed to stay entertained, a pool table, ping pong, and video games for the kids. There were board games, puzzles, and TVs in every bedroom, in addition to the family room. The three large decks looking out toward the mountains were perfect for drinking in the breathtaking view. This was a great pastime for early risers with a cup of coffee or hanging out with the gang in the afternoon. Situated on one of the decks was a hot tub for relaxing after a long hike and drinking in the scenery. The large dining area, surrounded by a two-story window wall of mountain viewing inspiration, was perfect for family meals we made in the large equipped kitchen or enjoying take-out food. Evenings were spent around the campfire with plenty of seating for everyone, and the owner supplied long metal forks for s’more making.
A small community pool nearby was included in the rental that provided afternoon recreation for the kids and plenty of seating for the adults to congregate while eating from a surprisingly good menu at the pool concession stand. Burgers, chicken fingers, and salads are just a few of the offerings that we enjoyed. Pizza delivery was available to the cabin, which surprised us given the cabin’s location on top of the mountain and quite a distance from the pizza shop. The road to the cabin was steep, narrow, and included a few switchbacks. It was an adjustment for me to drive up and down the mountain at first, but I was used to it by the second or third day.
A Four Season Getaway
According to the owner, this is a great area to visit all four seasons. There is some snow accumulation in January and February, but usually not enough to make the roads impassable. July and August are busy months because it is high season and can be very hot, but having the pool nearby is a plus. With plenty of restaurants nearby, you don’t have to worry about cooking, but if you like to make your own meals, there are a couple of convenient grocery stores to stock up unless you decide to shop before you leave home.
On our way home, we drove through Pigeon Forge, amazed at all of the attractions, but the one that caught my eye was Goats on the Roof. It’s a sizeable sprawling mountain coaster with a building near the road with, yes, you guessed it, real goats on the roof! If you have been there or plan to go, I’d love to hear about your experience.
Cabins Four You
If you are interested in more information about cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains, go to Cabins for You, or you can contact the owner directly to learn all about the cabin and surrounding areas at amy.heeter@zoominternet.net. If you are looking for a year-round vacation escape, this is a perfect place to get away from it all.
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Email: noshoesjusttravel@gmail.com
I live in NC so I am lucky to say that I can go to the Great Smoky Mountains frequently for a weekend getaway. It is certainly a beautiful destination with so many stunning views. I love relaxing here and enjoying nature!
I feel the one good thing that came out of the pandemic was that we seemed to explore our own Country a bit more, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Red Wolf Lodge sounds perfect, with lots to do to keep the kids (and adults) entertained.
We have wanted to visit the Great Smoky Mountains but have not made it there yet. Great to know that they really are a four season getaway. We would certainly want to detour through Pigeon Forge for the goats on the roof. There is a similar fun attraction on Vancouver Island in the small town of Coombs!
I haven’t even heard of the Great Smoky Mountains before – however, I’ve read about the Wolf Lodge. It sounds like a lovely place to visit for a couple of days. I’d love to see the goats on the roof – I’ve seen goats in trees in Morocco, but never on a roof 😉
Sorry to hear your plans changed, but what a great alternative. I’d love to visit here in the winter when it’s snowing or evening in the autumn when all the leaves are changing colour, it just looks stunning. Great tip on cabins for you, they are great.