Smoky Mountains Archives - There Goes Connie

My 4 Must-Eats in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

02/25/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Pancakes, trout, fritters and apple butter are the first food items to pop into my mind when I think about spending a few days in Gatlinburg, but the specifics of WHERE to consume those items is a key consideration, as well.

CROCKETT’S BREAKFAST CAMP

Crockett’s Breakfast Camp right on the main drag (a.k.a. Parkway through town) in Gatlinburg was a must-try on my list during a recent visit. Judging from the line wound around the building, it was on many other people’s list, too. Crockett’s only opened 5 years ago, and this was my first visit. Obviously, they wowed people quickly.

The good news was that a parking lot for a mere $2.00 for 2 hours sits across the street from Crockett’s. And another piece of good news is that you can call ahead or even sign up via email to get put on the waiting list. The bad news is that we didn’t know about that until we were enduring an hour and 15-minute wait.

The very good news is that the food is WONDERFUL. This is where Steve and I got our “trout fix” while we were in the area. Breakfast of pecan-crusted trout, scrambled eggs, grits, sausage gravy, hashbrowns and a thick, fluffy biscuit arrived in a black skillet with a side dish loaded with corn pone — possibly the best I’ve ever eaten.

I highly recommend Crockett’s. Just take my advice and put your name on the list before you arrive. And, by the way, it closes at 1:00 p.m. — strictly a breakfast-brunch place

APPLEWOOD FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT

Apple fritters generously dusted with confectioner’s sugar and a side of apple butter start every meal, along with a small glass of Applewood Julep (a refreshing juice concoction). A cup of hot soup and mashed potatoes come with every entree, and the choices are typical Southern specialties, such as meat loaf, turkey and dressing, chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie and the like. Portions are very generous, too.

In the past, we’ve always arrived along with hundreds of other hungry diners, and once we got our name on the list, we could wander around the big Apple Barn and other shops on the premises. This time — in mid-February — we walked right in and were seated immediately. The food was good, but somehow, I missed the crowds and the Apple Barn was closed when we visited. Bummer. I would have been sorely tempted to bring a few jars of their apple butter home with me.

Both Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and Applewood Farmhouse Grill are on the property. I suggest you go to the one with the shortest wait time. The menus for each appear to be interchangeable.

THE OLD MILL in Pigeon Forge

In terms of just pure deliciousness, this is probably my very favorite. We arrived about 12:30 p.m. and had a 40-minute wait, but the nearby shops were open, and the weather was nice. All the better to get our appetites fully stirred.

Corn fritters with maple butter and a cup of hot chowder start the meal at The Old Mill. The service was great, and the food was everything we expected. Oh yes, the pecan pie is to-die-for. I confess that I brought home a package of fixings for more of the corn chowder and some jalapeno cornbread mix and chow-chow for a cozy supper in the near future. The Old Mill will remain on my MUST LIST.

PANCAKE PANTRY

The line is ALWAYS down the sidewalk at the Pancake Pantry. They don’t take reservations, so you just know that unless you “hit it just right,” you’re going to have to wait. The variety of pancakes, hoecakes and crepes is dizzying, but there is bound to be something for everyone.

I ordered Austrian Apple Walnut Crepes, Allie had Swiss chocolate chip pancakes and Steve (Mr. Healthy) had the Whole Wheat pancakes. Service was quick and friendly, and the food was good.

I just have a couple of gripes to share. We had to pay $10.00 to park nearby, and Pancake Pantry only accepts cash. Yes, CASH! Who carries cash these days? Yes, they have a handy-dandy ATM machine inside, but that tacks on a $3.00 fee. Moral of the story? Be prepared.

The Pancake Pantry opened in 1960 and was the very FIRST pancake house in Gatlinburg. It has worked hard to become such a popular destination. But, I will probably try one of the other MANY pancake cafes that are scattered around now when I return. All of the ones I saw had large FREE parking lots, and I’m fairly certain they take credit cards.

So those were on my list last weekend. Our granddaughter Allie was with us, and all of the places were new to her. Without any prompting from me, she proclaimed The Old Mill as her favorite on our way home.

What about you? Which restaurants are always on your radar and considered worth the wait for you when you visit Gatlinburg?

Wildberry Lodge: A B & B With An Awe-inspiring View Outside Asheville, N.C.

06/25/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Ken and Glenda Cahill had a dream — a log cabin home in the mountains. They started by searching far and wide for an expanse of land with a building site that could take advantage of the gorgeous seasons on display every year in the Great Smoky Mountains. They finally found 45 acres in the perfect spot. Then, they decided on a floor plan and had Maple Island Log Homes in Michigan craft it out of red pine logs. Meticulously, each log was notched and numbered, then the house was dismantled and loaded onto seven 18-wheelers and trucked to North Carolina. There it was reassembled, and Ken and Glenda began the back-breaking, tedious work of staining each log and chinking between every crevice. Next came the roof, windows, doors, plumbing and all the other million details that go into making a shell of a structure into a liveable home. During the 2-year process, Ken and Glenda kept their “day jobs” through the week, and then camped out on the property on weekends — in all seasons — to complete their labor of love. Along the way, they realized that the most practical way to be able to afford their large dream home was to share it and make it functional as a Bed and Breakfast.

View of the lodge from the road

The main lodge sits at an elevation of 2700 feet, a perfect vantage point for the sweeping vista below. As they explored their newly-acquired property, they discovered all kinds of berries growing on the hillside. The name Wildberry Lodge became the logical choice. The names for the five guest rooms follow the theme: Gooseberry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry and the larger Blackberry Suite. Steve and I stayed in the Blueberry Room, but, because it was vacant at the time, I was also able to get a good look at the Strawberry Room.

Strawberry Room

Blueberry room

Several years after the lodge opened in 2002, a guest cabin was added that is a perfect honeymoon suite because of its separate location and privacy, but it can also be opened up and rented for a whole family with both upstairs and downstairs rooms to enjoy.

Honeymoon cabin

Each room has its own private bath and balcony or deck. Highspeed wireless internet is provided, and fireplaces are in most rooms.

Private bath

There is a large great room downstairs by the kitchen with a huge stone fireplace, and an upstairs loft has a flatscreen TV and sitting area with snacks, drinks in a refrigerator and a large DVD collection.

Large great room with stone fireplace

Upstairs loft

The basement has a fully-equipped game room with a pool table, tabletop shuffleboard, and video games.

Game room in the basement.

Outdoors, guests will find a large deck (perfect for basking in the natural surroundings), hammock swings, a fire pit for Smores, and a hot tub.

Large deck overlooking the mountains

View from the deck

hot tub

Afternoon appetizers are prepared, which we enjoyed thoroughly, but almost every B & B guest I’ve ever met mentioned the anticipation of breakfast as being at the top of their reasons for staying in a Bed and Breakfast. Check out a fuller description here, but on the morning we were at Wildberry Lodge, the menu consisted of Wine-Poached Plum, Lemon Pecan Pancakes, Sausage Patties, Lemon Cream Roll with Strawberries. It was delicious, and the setting was superb.

Granola and juices on the sideboards

Wine-poached plum

The innkeepers don’t allow guest to bring pets, but they have cows, goats, 4 rescue dogs and a cat on the property. So, if you’re an animal lover, you’ll be in good company.

Goats on the property

Another couple who were guests when Steve and I stayed at Wildberry chose it specifically to decompress from very hectic jobs. They purposefully wanted to unplug, to avoid traffic, to unwind, relax and refocus. The lodge is rustic, natural and peaceful, and the innkeepers are very environmentally aware, implementing lots of “green” practices. They are hospitable and happy to give you recommendations about nearby restaurants and attractions. The lodge is 12 miles from Asheville, and you’ll need your GPS to find it off of some windy, country roads, but if natural beauty and a place to just “be” is on your want list, then Wildberry Lodge is a great choice.

Accommodations in Maggie Valley, Waynesville and Lake Junaluska, NC. – Part 1

11/06/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

If you arrive in the Maggie Valley area without a prior reservation, you will notice a lot of retro-style motor courts. Yes, I used the word “motor court” deliberately, because they remind me of the places we used to stay when my family took vacations back in the 50’s and 60’s. Basically a bed and a bathroom with very few frills. There are plenty to choose from, and I’m reasonably sure the prices would be very moderate. But, maybe you want to stay in a place that is more unique and has more “character” or mountain flavor, shall we say. If so, then here are two recommendations:

Cataloochee Guest Ranch. You’ll find it at 119 Ranch Drive in Maggie Valley. Rooms are available in the Main Ranch House, in individual cabins scattered throughout the 1000 acres of the ranch or the Silverbell Lodge which is great for large families. The ranch sits at an elevation of 5000 ft. making gorgeous vistas possible in every direction. There’s so much to do when you visit. If you love outdoor activity, then help yourself to horseback riding, hiking, bird-watching, wildflower walks and wagon rides. Snow skiing and snow boarding are also available on the slopes adjacent to the ranch.
Entrance to the lodge.

Cataloochee Lodge, a part of the Haywood County Quilt Trails. This is a Lone Star pattern.

Looking toward the ski area.

View from the dining room window.

Meals are a big part of the allure of the ranch. Three meals a day are served in the large dining room. The website includes recipes for Onion Casserole and Zebra Cake, but you can also order a cookbook created by a daughter of the original owners. Cataloochee Cooking by Judy Alexander Coker is available in paperback or hardback. Mountain Fever by Tom Alexander tells the history of the ranch along with much information about this part of the Smoky Mountains.

A look into the dining room.

Sign at the entrance to Cataloochee Guest Ranch.

Merchandise for the youngsters.

Here are some scenes from the ranch:

Upstairs bedroom in the lodge.

Bathroom in one of the lodge rooms.

Bedroom in a cabin.

Large bathroom in a cabin.

Kitchen area in one of the cabins.

Fireplace in a cabin.

Front exterior of a cabin.

2. Smoky Shadows Lodge. Located at 323 Smoky Shadows Lane in Maggie Valley, the Lodge is only 30 minutes from Ashville, N.C. With the motto “Life is better at 4500 feet,” this is a great place for relaxing in a rustic, peaceful setting. Rockers are placed all along the expansive porch taking in possibly the best view of the Smoky Mountains. Rooms are available on both the courtyard side and the mountainview side of the lodge and in two separate cabins.

Rustic sign at the entrance.

Outside of the main lodge building of Smoky Shadows.

Two separate cabins at Smoky Shadows.

A continental breakfast is served for overnight guests, but if you’re going to be in the area, be sure to call to see when one of their gourmet dinners will be served. I’ve heard rave reviews. As with Cataloochee Ranch, Ginger Shinn and the staff of Smoky Shadows has compiled a cookbook of recipes passed down for generations. Call the lodge to request a copy.