Pigeon Forge

On Friday morning, Cissi and I set off to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to meet Caroline for the first stage of our girly weekend. We had a few issues setting off, such as the shop we wanted to go to first being shut, me forgetting my national parks pass (and having to go back and getting). We decided to try without the GPS. Bad idea. We figured out after 20mins that we were going north instead of south on the I-81. D'oh! After a few more more little hiccups (like a few names written down wrong), we decided a GPS is essential. Always!!!!

We got to Pigeon Forge at rush hour and what should have taken 5mins, actually took 1.5 hrs. :-( But at least it gave us lots of time to take photos. Pigeon Forge is a very strange place. It seemed like a cross between Blackpool and Las Vegas. It is really near Dollywood (which we didn't go to but is totally on my list for next time!) so the area has boomed with attractions. Some of them very odd.

Wonder Works

Inland Titanic

King Kong

Harry Potter 

The trip should have taken us 4 hrs. It took 8hrs!!!! And Caroline wasn't having much luck either. She missed the turning and doing that in the US that means a really long detour. But we finally all got to the hotel. We had dinner near by (so we didn't have to drive anymore!) at possibly the only Mexican which does not serve margaritas. But we had a lot of wine (from my selection) back in the fridge at the hotel, so we weren't really too bothered.

The hotel we had booked had an indoor jacuzzi and pool. It was a little full to start but we crowded the others out of the jacuzzi and chilled out.

Swimming pool

By the pool

The rest of the evening was spent chilling in the room, chatting and drinking wine. Except for the third bottle which had the most stubborn cork I have ever seen! At one point 3 of us were pulling either the corkscrew or the bottle and nothing. I don't like to use the "I am a girl" card but sometimes... needs must. And it really was a must. So I put shoes on and went in my PJs to reception to find someone to help us. It took him a while (but his ego was at stake) but it worked. And made us very happy. (Though my corkscrew is bent now!)

Attempting to open our wine. And failing.