My Tennessee Story

Im a 42-year-old widow from Ohio, with 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Going south to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains was the only place my late husband wanted to go to on vacation trips. We went 2-3 times a year. Some trips were with my in-laws and friends.

I can remember a trip we took in the early ‘90s. We decided to hike (Clingman’s Dome, I think)! During the hike I ripped my jeans, it… Read More

Tennessee’s tapestry of color is stunning year round. With its landscape of hills and valleys, and unique shades of rocks and trees, the breathtaking scenery is outstanding. Glistening sapphire lakes are as intriguing as the stalagmites and stalactites dripping from ceiling to floor in Tennessee’s’ beautiful caves such as Blue Springs and Bull Cave.

My companion and I shared this adventure together, enjoying our freedom on country roads, taking in the panoramic Smoky Mountain view,… Read More

Every year my family, some from Florida and some from Michigan, meet for a vacation somewhere close to halfway. A few years ago we rented a house in the Smokies. There are over 20 of us of “hillbilly” descent, and that many of us together makes for quite a scene! My aunt put together a Talent Night for us one of the days we were there… my Gramps was always a big John Denver fan,… Read More

I made my first trip to Tennessee when about 11 years old and I was with a YMCA group. We parked in Cades Cove Campsite with our Trailways Bus and were waiting for supper to be cooked by our Y-leaders when the boy next to me punched me and said he saw a large rock move. As his story spread we just thought he was seeing things until – yes –the hills were alive. Four… Read More

One of my most memorable trips to Tennessee was one I made alone starting on February 12, 2005. I was up and on the road before 5 a.m., headed from Russellville, Arkansas to the waterfall country of middle Tennessee to spend a week hiking and enjoying the beauty of this wonderful state. By 12:30 I was in Cookville where I stopped for gas and a short rest, then decided I would head north and find… Read More

My fiance and I had decided to camp out in Tennessee for our vacation one year. Our first day, we found a beautiful stream, and decided to set up camp on the other side, so we walked across the water and pitched our tent, got a fire going and started fishing for trout. We caught three.

As we were about to cook these beauties, a big 4x4 truck parked behind our car across the stream.… Read More

Every year my family chooses a new spot to go on vacation and, about four years ago, we chose Tennessee. Since then, every year we go back there rather than choosing a new place to visit because we love it so much. On the last visit we stayed at the Gaylord Opry Land Hotel right next to the Grand Ole Opry house. The hotel itself is absolutely amazing, but what made it even better was… Read More