At the end of May, I finally left Florida and headed north into Alabama. I spent several days at Talladega National Forest, which proved to be one of my favorite locations to date. It wasn’t glamorous or fancy, in fact, it didn’t even have sewer hookups. It was just a site in woods under the tallest trees I’ve seen outside the California redwoods that dropped the largest pine cones I’ve ever seen. All this for only $9 a day with my National Park pass—my best deal ever!

The tall pines at the Talladega National Forest campground.

I brought a bunch of these huge pine cones back to New Jersey for a friend to use in her elementary school classroom.

My site overlooked the beautiful Payne Lake and it was a truly serene setting. That was until a series of violet thunderstorms rolled through accompanied by more lightning than I’ve ever seen in my life—even in Florida. Lots of “ever seen” going on here but I really enjoyed this place.

My campsite overlooking Payne Lake in Alabama.

I was in west-central Alabama, and quickly discovered there was absolutely nothing to do and the nearest town was about 20 miles away. This was fine with me since I’d been on the go so much in the previous few weeks that what I really needed was some quiet down-time.

I attempted a hike in the woods but heavy rains had left the trail a bit too soggy.

Lily pads growing so thick you could practically walk across them.

A beautiful lily blossom reflected in the still water of a small pond.

The campground host, Ron made daily visits to the few (4 or 5) campers who were there. He was a very friendly guy who was always accompanied by his trusty sidekick, Reece, a Chocolate Lab. Get it? Reece…as in Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Campground host, Ron, and his helper, Reece, on one of their daily visits to check on campers.

Next stop was Chattanooga, Tennessee, a place filled with Civil War history so it was right up my alley. In fact, my campground was located on the site of the Civil War encampment of the 84th Indiana Volunteers. I stayed three days at Best Holiday Trav-L-Park that was actually just over the border in Rossville, Georgia.

Best Holiday Trav-L-Park located just over the border in Rossville, Georgia.

Civil War encampment marker located in the campground.

The battles for Chattanooga and Chickamauga marked an important Union victory and preceded Sherman’s burning of Atlanta and his “March to the Sea.” I visited Lookout Mountain Battlefield Park, run by the National Park Service. It has breathtaking views of the city of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River and quickly becomes obvious why this was such a strategic military location.

Lookout Mountain was an ideal location for keeping watch over troop movements in Chattanooga.

National Park Service Ranger, Brian, giving a talk about the significance of the Battles for Chattanooga and Chickamauga.

I also took a 7-mile driving tour of key sites of the Battle at Chickamauga in Georgia. Much like you see at Gettysburg, there are hundreds of monuments erected after the war by army divisions from both sides.

This field was one of several in Chickamauga, GA that saw action during the Civil War.

A small homestead that stood between two battlefields during the Civil War.

Some of the hundreds of military monuments and markers in the Chickamauga area.

From here I moved east to Pigeon Forge, TN, which couldn’t be more different from the previous couple locations. This town is a wall-to-wall tourist attraction with each business trying to outdo to next on themes and gaudiness but it’s a heck of a lot of fun—all of it wholesome and family-oriented. I spent a full week at the KOA Campground that was ideally located for all the things I wanted to see. There was even a trolley stop at the campground that went directly to Dollywood so I didn’t have to pay for parking.

This view of the main road through Pigeon Forge doesn’t do enough justice to the gaudiness of the town. (Internet photo)

My campsite at the KOA in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Beautiful view from the snack bar at the campground.

I hit up Dollywood for some much-needed roller coaster riding and Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, a family entertainment show along the lines of Medieval Times only with cowboys instead of knights. But what I really came here for was to visit the west side of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I had visited the east side while in North Carolina a year ago and I wanted to see the other half.

To save the expense of parking at Dollywood ($15), I hopped on the trolley that stopped right at the campground. The fare was only 50¢ each way.

I got in some much-needed roller coaster riding at Dollywood.

The Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Show.

Dinner consisted of a small individual roast chicken, slice of roast pork, potato, corn on the cob, dessert and a beverage.

There’s a scenic drive in Great Smoky Mountain National Park known as Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is a 5 ½ mile, narrow, one-way road that follows the Roaring Fork stream and has pull-off areas to view waterfalls, pick up a hiking trail, or see any of several historic homestead buildings. It was really beautiful.

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The Roaring Fork stream.

Old historic homestead.

In November, 2016, there was a wildfire that burned 17,000 acres of the Smoky Mountains bordering Gatlinburg. Although it looked well-recovered to me, locals said the forest is much thinner than it was. In reality… that made for more to see.

The forest throughout the area is filled with wild Rhododendrons. This must be spectacular in Spring!

Near Pigeon Forge is Gatlinburg, another tourist town that defies description. The downtownarea is a sensory overload of businesses competing for your attention…and your money.

Downtown Gatlinburg is a tourist wonderland. (Internet photo)

Just outside town, up in the mountains, is Ober Gatlinburg, a ski resort that has summer attractions, as well. I took the ski lift to to top of the mountain to enjoy the view and had the extra treat of hearing a bluegrass band perform. Then I rode the Mountain Coaster, a sled on a track that the rider controls as it winds its way through the woods and down the mountain.

Here I am arriving at the top of the lift hill at Ober Gatlinburg.

Click on image to watch a short video of the bluegrass band “Mountain Grass.”

Views from the top of the mountain.

Click on the image to watch a point-of-view video of my ride on the Mountain Coaster.

Another fun outing was the Bush’s Best Museum at the site of the original baked bean canning factory in Chestnut Hill, TN. It’s a delightful (and free) exhibit about the family business that started in 1897. I learned that the beans are not cooked in the sauce. The cooked beans are put in the can and the flavoring is added on top. The flavors mingle after canning. Who woulda thunk it?

Jay and Duke on a display at the Bush’s Best Museum.

The famous “Bush’s Secret Family Recipe” is protected by laser sensors that would make Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt character think twice about stealing it. This is an example of some of the fun—and sometimes tongue-in-cheek—displays at the museum.

Upcoming post:

The back woods of Kentucky and West Virginia.

My name is Lindsay Reed and I’m a photographer and retired graphic artist with a passion for both lighthouses and road trips. I am living as a full-time solo RVer in my 31 foot Coachmen motorhome and plan to spend the next few years traveling the U.S. and Canada photographing not only lighthouses, but everything else there is to see in this wonderful land. I hope you enjoy my blog and will follow my adventures in the months and years ahead.