Thanks for rubbing it in Heath!
I'm so jealous! I was up near Gatlinburg about a year & a half ago and have decided my new goal in life is to become a Half-back! I was also horrified at what Pigeon Forge & Seiverville have become...looked like Vegas!
I discovered that whole area quite by accident in the early 80's....I was going through some rough times and decided I needed a "snow & mountain fix" and got in my car heading north, with the intention of I driving until I found snow....as I was on the mountain between Cherokee & Gatlingburg it started snowing! I drove into Pigeon Forge, got a hotel and the next morning the mountain was closed due to snow & ice. I stayed a week and fell in love! Even spent part of my honeymoon there. It was however, VERY different back then. Not sure exactly where in the Smokey's I want to be....but I'm sure when the time is right I'll be able to find something I'm happy with.
