After an exciting and full day yesterday, our intent had been to visit Dollywood in Gatlinburg, but they were closed today. Consequently, hiking was moved up a day on the itinerary.

Matt suggested we find an old growth forest area in which to hike, and what a great idea it proved to be. Almost 99 percent of old-growth trees on the East Coast of the United States have been removed. However inside the half million acres of land within the GSMNP, about 100,000 acres of old growth forest can be found scattered about here and there. Most of the time to find these old growth areas, you are going to have to hike for a while to get into the middle of these areas. Matt found an exception, the Chimneys Picnic Area in near Gatlinburg. We hiked almost a mile up the Cove Hardwood Nature Trail, and found ourselves surrounded by a pristine section of old growth forest. Towering hardwoods with their limbs intertwined to shade the floor of the forest and create a canopy was mesmerizing.

A few flowers, mushrooms, and a caterpillar were also seen.

After the great hike among the towering trees, the kids (we’re all kids in heart if not in body) played among and on top of the huge, rounded car-sized boulders in the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. True to its name the Chimneys Picnic Area was filled to capacity with picnickers, but we felt almost alone among the giant boulders and trees.

East Tennessee has become a tourist Mecca in recent years, resembling a huge Branson some 40 years ago.Bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is much to do, meeting the recreation “wants” of just about anyone as the venues run the full gamut of family-friendly entertainment.

Today, we visited Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. This 115,000 square foot, 1.3 million gallon aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN, has over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in 350 individual species. Our favorite feature was the 340-foot underwater tunnel with a glide path; in the words of Karyn, “… And a moving sidewalk inside the underwater tunnel was genius. No looking where you are walking. Just hop on and enjoy the ride and the scenery!” It was neat watching the sharks and rays gliding above and around you while in the tunnel. (Thanks to Karyn for photographs.)

After the aquarium visit, and a late lunch/early dinner of wings and beer, Kay and I returned to the house while Karyn, Matt, Ridge and Aker stopped by a park where they got in some “normal” play time. Back at the house, they played in the game room and swam in the pool. Oh, to be a kid again.