july on the ponderosa

July on the Ponderosa has looked a lot like this!

our new favorite place

Last week we spent a couple of nights at the Gatlinburg Inn.   The inn was built in 1937 and has been family owned and operated since that time.

It is right in the center of the Gatlinburg strip and you can walk to everything.  I can remember seeing it in the 60's when our family would visit the Smoky Mountains.  Many famous people have stayed there including J. C. Penney, Lady Bird Johnson, Andy Williams, Liberace, Chief Justice Earl Warren and Present Herbert Hoover.  Its main claim to fame is that the song Rocky Top was written there in room 322!

Walking into the inn makes you feel like you entered a movie set.  The wooden doors, the key you use to enter the room and the furnishings speak of another era, but the restrooms are modern and there is wifi.  It is exceptionally clean and the staff are friendly and courteous.  Each morning there was a delicious hot breakfast for us in their breakfast room.

 

Our favorite place at the inn was the porch filled with rocking chairs. In the late afternoon about every half hour live entertainment would appear on the porch.  The entertainment was part of Tunes and Tales sponsored by the city of Gatlinburg.

 It was our first time staying there but will not be our last!

junior showmanship winner

 

This grandson had a great day at the Central Regional 4-H show. He was the champion in the junior showmanship class and three of his does won blue ribbons in their class.  He works hard preparing for the show and even in the ring while showing and we are very proud of him. This show was in Bedford County.

Parker and Primrose

Parker and Ruby Shade

Parker and Stella