The Road to Dragon Con 2023, Part 1: Return to Pigeon Forge and/or Gatlinburg
Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover: Each year since 1999 Anne and I have taken one road trip to a different part of the United States and seen attractions, wonders, and events we didn’t have back home. From 1999 to 2003 we did so as best friends; from 2004 to the present, as husband and wife. We grew up in families that couldn’t afford out-of-state vacations. We young geeks had to live vicariously through the windows of pop culture in lieu of in-person adventures. After years of settling for everyday life in Indianapolis and any nearby places that also had comics and toy shops, we overcame some of our self-imposed limitations and resolved as a team to leave the comforts of home for opportunities to see creative, exciting, breathtaking, outlandish, historical, and/or bewildering new sights in states beyond our own, from the horizons of nature to the limits of imagination, from history’s greatest hits to humanity’s deepest regrets and the sometimes quotidian, sometimes quirky stopovers in between. We’re the Goldens. This is who we are and what we do. 2023 was a busy year for traveling and special occasions as the pandemic and its anxieties receded. In addition to our Midwest comic-con resurgence, in March we took our very first trip to Disney World as wonderstruck fiftysomethings; at the end of June we made our first foray into the Carolinas with an emphasis on the Charleston area. The out-of-town respites didn't stop there: at summer's end we turned the week leading up to Labor Day into a special combo package: a convention and road trip. That Labor Day weekend marked our third visit to Dragon Con in downtown Atlanta -- one of America's longest running events for folks like us from across all fandoms, hobbies, and geek interests, which the two of us have made a biannual tradition. We already shared hundreds of photos from our three days in the thick of it all, posted as quickly as I could after we returned home and recuperated. Before reaching Georgia we made a few other stops along the way whose photos I never got around to adding to the blog collection. I could list the excuses why or I could just show them to you now. Onward, then? […]#gatlinburg — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #gatlinburg, aggregated by home.social.
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Planning Lessons from the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone
If you have not visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side, you may not be aware of the otherworldly experience that awaits outside the park along “The Parkway” (generally signed as U.S 441 or TN 66 for most of its length). Here are some planning lessons from this eye-popping stretch of commercial chaos. Peace!
- It is approximately 35 miles from Interstate 40 to the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within that distance, one can observe some good examples of land use planning in the United States, but many more bad ones. It’s almost like a 35 miles long microcosm of America.
- On the good side – Gatlinburg, despite its commercial vacationland persona and image is actually quite an attractive community. The city has found ways to mitigate much of (not all) the commercialism with a touch of panache. Being a heavily forest city and having adopted architectural design standards are both helpful.
- On the bad side – The transition from revered natural sanctuary in the abutting national park to instant urbanity is quite shocking. One feels like they passed through a time warp or the land use equivalent of the looking glass.
- On the good side – Gatlinburg may have more mid-block pedestrian crosswalks per capita than another city in the country. This enhances pedestrian movement, which during the often congested traffic is likely the quickest mode of travel about town.
- On the bad side – Pigeon Forge is much the antithesis of Gatlinburg. This retired planner’s jaw dropped while driving through Pigeon Forge. Think the Vegas Strip, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando all combined.
- On the good side – Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville has a walkable downtown with interesting sights. By the way, her statue is very sweet. Sevierville has done a nice job of promoting historic and notable sights in the central core. The streetscaping along several downtown streets is also quite impressive.
- On the bad side – Outside of downtown, Sevierville appears to have caught the same “sprawlitis” virus that infected Pigeon Forge.
- On the good side – Thank goodness there is a serene natural forest buffer between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to break up the continuous sprawl along “The Parkway.”
- On the mixed side – Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley transit services, though the headway of 15-25 minutes +/- along The Parkway between rides is too long during peak seasons is less than ideal.
- On the bad side – One really has to wonder how many of the millions of tourists who come to the maze of commercialism along “The Parkway” actually go and visit the beauty and sanctity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- On the mixed side – For those of us who love the great outdoors, this region offers amazing opportunities to commune with nature along with a great deal of easily accessible services…as long as you are willing to pass in and out of the time warp.
- Question to consider – Exactly how does one develop ordinance language for “uniquely-styled” buildings designed and built as an obvious tourist attraction?
- On the unknown side – Not all commercial enterprises are successful along “The Parkway” despite the millions of people attracted here. Planning for the reuse and/or redevelopment of such sites must be considered…preferably during the initial review process.
- On the curious side – One also has to also wonder how and when do the locals safely pop their heads out from the safety of their abode to run errands and whatnot while the coast is relatively clear. Planning for the locals amid a vast sea of visitors is a unique challenge to tourist communities. Fyi – there are a number of posts/stories on the internet by locals on how best to negotiate or avoid the traffic here in the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone.
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"Missing person — have you seen this person?
Name: Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak
Description: brown hair, blue eyes, 5'6”, 170 Ibs
Marcin was reported missing to Great Smoky Mountains National Park's dispatch center on 08/24/26. His vehicle was later found near Sugarlands Visitor Center inside the park.
If you have any information or believe you have seen Bachleda-Blaszczak, please contact: Great Smoky Mountains National Park dispatch
#MissingPerson #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #NPS #Gatlinburg #TN
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Two injured after golf cart flips, gets struck by SUV in East TN, THP says https://www.rawchili.com/5072964/ #cart #crash #EastParkway #four #gatlinburg #golf #injured #report #RooseveltDrive #Tennessee
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Two injured after golf cart flips, gets struck by SUV in East TN, THP says
What This Story Is About A golf cart carrying passengers from Florida and Michigan rolled over while turning…
#Golf #News #cart #crash #eastparkway #four #gatlinburg #injured #report #rooseveltdrive #Tennessee
https://www.europesays.com/golf/50883/ -
HE JUST WANTED THE DELICIOUS CANDIES!
#bears #Gatlinburg -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, never has a dull moment.
#gatlinburg #smokymountains #tennessee #mountainvacation #travel
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Our 2023 Road Trip #25: Intro to Pigeon Forge and/or Gatlinburg
Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover: Every year since 1999 Anne and I have taken one road trip to a different part of the United States and seen attractions, wonders, and events we didn’t have back home. From 1999 to 2003 we did so as best friends; from 2004 to the present, as husband and wife. After years of contenting ourselves with everyday life in Indianapolis and any nearby places that also had comics and toy shops, we overcame some of our self-imposed limitations and resolved as a team to leave the comforts of home for annual chances to see creative, exciting, breathtaking, outlandish, historical, and/or bewildering new sights in states beyond our own. We’re the Goldens. This is who we are and what we do... Wisconsin Dells! Virginia Beach! Niagara Falls! And so on! We've visited our share of kitschy, tacky, larger-than-life tourist traps over the years. If they happen to be in our path, that's cool, but we don't necessarily make them the star of any given trip. Maybe someday we'll plan a big expedition to Branson, that gold standard east of the Rockies, which was a popular annual vacation choice among the grandmothers and near-retirees I used to work with at the office. We're not quite that old yet. Other coworkers used to love taking their families down to Gatlinburg and/or Pigeon Forge, often for camping in or around the Great Smoky Mountains, enjoying affordable nature-based activities, and/or romping around country-fried faux-Western attractions. While we were in the vicinity anyway, we figured why not spend a night in the area and glance at a few of their outlandish constructs. Admittedly we weren't clear where Gatlinburg ended and Pigeon Forge began. They're not advertised as twin cities, but any boundary between their realities was paper-thin and imperceptible. […] -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, never has a dull moment.
#gatlinburg #smokymountains #tennessee #mountainvacation #travel
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No one injured after business catches fire in Pigeon Forge, officials say
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The Pigeon Forge Fire Department responded to a commercial structure fire at French’s…
#UnitedStates #US #USA #america #business #french'sshoesandboots #gatlinburg #pffd #PigeonForge #pigeonforgefiredepartment #seviercounty #sevierville #unitedstatesofamerica
https://www.europesays.com/2865366/ -
https://www.europesays.com/2865366/ No one injured after business catches fire in Pigeon Forge, officials say #america #business #French'sShoesAndBoots #gatlinburg #pffd #PigeonForge #PigeonForgeFireDepartment #SevierCounty #sevierville #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #US #USA
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Pigeon Forge hotel named best new hotel in United States
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WVLT) – One of Pigeon Forge’s newest hotels has won a national award. Compass Hotel…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #10best #America #best #bestnewhotel #Compass #Gatlinburg #hotel #margaritaville #pigeonforge #sevierville #UnitedStatesofAmerica #USATODAY
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/390215/ -
Confused Black Bear Causes a Scene After Accidentally Wandering Into Tennessee Town’s Christmas Parade
Holiday magic can take so many different forms, from a visit with Santa to a special gift, but…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Wildlife #Gatlinburg #holidayparade #Science #Tennessee
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/344854/ -
‘You are part of the problem’
A tourist who captured close-up video of a black bear is facing backlash from the online community, calling…
#NewsBeep #News #Wildlife #closeencounter #closeencounters #Gatlinburg #lackofrespect #Science #UK #UnitedKingdom
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/264823/ -
🌶️ Welcome to the "Museum of Shakers Nobody Asked For," where we take our seasoning as seriously as a heart attack. With a thrilling 60 million shakers to gaze at, prepare for an existential crisis about why you came to #Gatlinburg in the first place. 🎉 It's the culinary caper of the century...or not.
https://www.thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com #MuseumOfShakers #CulinaryCaper #ExistentialCrisis #SpiceLife #ThrillingExhibits #HackerNews #ngated -
Hungry Mama Bear and Cubs Steal Food From Back of Truck Like It’s a Smorgasbord
When heading out for a weekend getaway or vacation, many of us pack snacks and drinks to avoid…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Wildlife #Gatlinburg #Science #Tennessee
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/171131/ -
Chattanooga, Gatlinburg, Nashville, Knoxville, Sevierville y más descubren las experiencias de viajes de otoño de Tennessee #Chattanooga #descubren #experiencias #Gatlinburg #Knoxville #Las #más #Nashville #otoño #Sevierville #Tennessee #Viajes #ButterWord #Spanish_News Comenta tu opinión 👇
https://butterword.com/chattanooga-gatlinburg-nashville-knoxville-sevierville-y-mas-descubren-las-experiencias-de-viajes-de-otono-de-tennessee/?feed_id=38927&_unique_id=68a96e15e3920 -
Thieving Black Bear Spotted ‘Taking Out the Trash’ Outside Tennessee Home Has Jaws Dropping
Thieving Black Bear Spotted ‘Taking Out the Trash’ Outside Tennessee Home Has Jaws Dropping originally appeared on PetHelpful.…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Wildlife #bearencounter #Gatlinburg #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #picturesqueplace #Science #Tennessee #touristdestination #videoevidence
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/97504/ -
“𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐘 𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒.” Perfect for home or office decor! See it here: https://buff.ly/3YWkkHi #BuyIntoArt #Smokies #GSMNP #GreatSmokyMountains #PigeonForge #Gatlinburg 🌄✨
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“The Whole Mountain Is Very Uphill” – TikTok Couple Stunned To Learn Their Gatlinburg Cabin...
https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2025/03/04/the-whole-mountain-is-very-uphill-tiktok-couple-stunned-to-learn-their-gatlinburg-cabin-is-in-the-mountains/
#CULTURE #Culture #Featured #Gatlinburg #Tennessee #Video
Event Attributes -
Doing the Scouty thing! #Winterfest At #Gatlinburg
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"Beyond Roarin' Fork, Gatlinburg Tenn" by Leon Pescheret
#art #etching #tennessee #gatlinburg #uploads -
“𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓” 25% off Nov 30 - Dec 2!
https://buff.ly/413UouJ
#OldMill #PigeonForge #Gatlinburg #Tennessee #SmokyMountains #GSMNP #GreatSmokyMountains #FineArt #WallArt #BuyIntoArt #ChristmasGifts #GiftIdeas -
BLACK FRIDAY SALE! 60% off & FREE SHIPPING!
“𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓” https://buff.ly/4fIFoae#OldMill #PigeonForge #Gatlinburg #Tennessee #SmokyMountains #GSMNP #GreatSmokyMountains #FineArt #WallArt #PhotosForSale #BuyIntoArt #ChristmasGifts #GiftIdeas
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I love The Old Mill at Pigeon Forge! https://buff.ly/4hBYHU2
#TheOldMill #OldMill #OldMillPigeonForge #PigeonForge #Gatlinburg #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #GreatSmokyMountains #SheliaHuntPhotography #BlackandWhite #BuyIntoArt
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I Took The New 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide For A Ride In The Great Smoky Mountains.
https://themotorbikechannel.com/i-took-the-new-2024-harley-davidson-road-glide-for-a-ride-in-the-great-smoky-mountains/?feed_id=17280&_unique_id=67222e312cf3c
Source: I Took The New 2024 Harley-David...#128RoadGlide #2024harleydavidsonroadglide #Gatlinburg #GatlinburgTennessee #GreatSmokyMountainBears #GreatSmokyMountains #harley #HarleyDavidson #HD #Motorcycleride #newmotorcycle #PigeonForge #roadglid...
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I ❤️ The Old Mill at Pigeon Forge! https://buff.ly/4hkli7o
#TheOldMill #OldMill #OldMillPigeonForge #PigeonForge #Gatlinburg #Smokies #GSMNP #SmokyMountains #GreatSmokyMountains #SheliaHuntPhotography #BlackandWhite #BuyIntoArt
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CW: Heights
Current status = up
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It turns out the bear was a mother, and she has two cubs. They were out walking around with her yesterday.
Just now, she came out of nowhere, traipsing down the hill towards me, as I was taking the trash out to the bear-proof bins.
I love wildlife, and I want this bear and its cubs to be safe and healthy, but even as docile as this bear might be, someone’s going to piss it off one day and get hurt, and they’ll have to put the bear down. :-(
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Ah, here we go. Previous photo was facing east. This one is due north. #Gatlinburg
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I can’t see this with the naked eye, but my phone camera picked up the aurora in Gatlinburg, I think. My wife is setting up her tripod and “real” camera to get a longer exposure. #Gatlinburg #aurora
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I just had an encounter with a black bear, while walking my dog in the dark, which, in hindsight, was probably not a good idea. (I did have a flashlight on me.) #Gatlinburg
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Gatlinburg stores are ever the opportunists.
My son saw this and said, “They’ve become self-aware.”
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Took this picture on a trail in #Gatlinburg #Tennessee at Smoky Mountain #NationalParks #Nature #NaturePhotography #Photography
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#Fish #Aquarium #photography #Gatlinburg #Travel
Found this little guy at the aquarium of the smokies, not sure what he is, but i liked the texture of the water
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#SevierCounty #LGBTQ+ community #Gathers to #celebrate #PrideMonth in #Gatlinburg with march through #downtown, cookout.
"When people booed, we cheered louder," Participant Daniel Alexander said.
#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #Tennessee #Conservatives #Extremism #Fascism #Religion #Hategroups #RepublicanParty #Hate #Bigotry #Violence #Genocide #Discrimination #Homophobia #Transphobia #ThePartyOfHate #EmptyThePews
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#Gatlinburg #Tennessee #NationalParks #Photography #Art #peace #silentsunday (oops I thought it was silent saturday!) #Nature #NaturePhotography #UnitedStates
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"𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄" ❤️
Prints available at https://buff.ly/3TnkpBb#CadesCove #EnchantedForest #CadesCoveTN #Gatlinburg #GatlinburgTN #Smokies #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #GSMNP #BuyIntoArt #BestOfTheUSA #BestOfThe_USA #BestOfTheVolunteerState #BestOfTheSmokies #Mastoart #art #fediart #nature #FediGiftShop #ArtforInteriorDesign #photography #fotografie #HospitalityInteriors #InteriorDesign #wallart #instahome #interiordecorating #interiordecor
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My daughter wants to put pink bows in my head but...I don't have any on my head. Is this a good look?
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Inspiring memories of Dollywood and Pigeon Forge make for a great Christmas
gift!“𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓”
Beautiful Christmas gift HERE:
https://shelia-hunt.pixels.com/featured/old-mill-at-pigeon-forge-at-sunset-shelia-hunt.html#PigeonForge #OldMill #Gatlinburg #Sevierville #PigeonForgeMill #sunset #BuyIntoArt #AYearForArt #Tennessee #Smokies #SmokyMountains #GSMNP #GreatSmokyMountains #Mastoart #fediart #FediGiftShop #HospitalityInteriors #InteriorDesign #instahome #interiordecorating #interiordecor
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Inspiring memories of Dollywood and Pigeon Forge make for a great Christmas gift!
“𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐓 𝐏𝐈𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓”
Beautiful Christmas gift HERE: https://shelia-hunt.pixels.com/featured/old-mill-at-pigeon-forge-at-sunset-shelia-hunt.html#Christmas #PigeonForge #Dollywood #Tennessee #Gatlinburg #OldMill #BuyIntoArt #Mastoart #art #fediart #nature #FediGiftShop #ArtforInteriorDesign #HospitalityInteriors #InteriorDesign #wallart #instahome #interiordecorating #interiordecor
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GATLINBURG TENNESSEE RED BARN in dramatic lighting available here:
https://www.pictorem.com/879709/Gatlinburg%20Tennessee%20Red%20Barn.html
#gatlinburg #oldbarns #redbarns #pigeonforge #smokymountains #nationalparks #fedigiftshop #MastoArt #wallart #gifts #giftideas #interiordecor #interiordesign #homedecor #homedecoration #interiordesigner #creativetoots #artbooster #nature #AYearForArt #BuyIntoArt #elegantfinephotography #normabrandsberg
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Famous Smoky Mountains Pigeon Forge Mill, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee in autumn available here:
https://pixels.com/featured/smoky-mountains-old-mill-norma-brandsberg.html
#pigeonforge #gatlinburg #tennessee #oldmills #pigeonforgemill #tennesseemill #architecture #AYearForArt #BuyIntoArt #artforsale #Mastodonart #FediGiftShop #MastoArt #giftideas #photography #travelphotography #landscapephotography
#travelphotography #nature #art4mom #followfriday #followbackfriday #elegantfinephotography #normabrandsberg
