2003 Trailmanor Trailblazers JubileePigeon Forge, Tennessee |
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| On Monday we drove back, with trailer in tow, from Mooresville, NC to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, just north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While the trailer park setting of the jubilee left something to be desired, our particular campsite was backed up to a field and was aflutter with cardinals and doves. The activities of the Trailblazers took up some time. |
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| Mile High and Pikes Peak Chapters | |||
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| Our Pigeon Forge trailer campsite | Cardinal perched on a fence behind our trailer | Sunrise behind our campsite | |
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| Our Pigeon Forge trailer campsite | Unruhs and Maelzers chat | ||
| Even so, we were able to get away for some sunny day exploring of the Smokies. |  |
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| Scenic views | Old homestead on a scenic nature trail | ||
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We were finally able to walk to the top of Clingman’s Dome and take in the view. |  |
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| Scenic nature trail | Scenic views from Klingman's Dome | ||
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| Scenic view from Klingman's Dome | Wood Sorrel on top of Klingman's Dome | |
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| Scenic nature trail along Klingman's Dome road |
Scenic views from Newfound Gap | |
| One of the best hikes was to Alum Bluffs Cave. Most of the way we walked next to a fast-flowing, bubbling and tumbling creek. |  |
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| Alum Bluff Cave trail | |||
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| Alum Bluff Cave trail | |||
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As we gained in elevation, we were treated to the gorgeous mountain laurel, galax, Michaux’s saxifrage and unidentified flowers. |  |
| The Arch | Michaux's Saxifrage | ||
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| Mountain Laurel | Galax | Rhododendron |
| When the trail moved away from the water, it became steeper, but not difficult despite the handrails provided in the narrower places. The cave was actually an overhang-tall and broad. I could imagine what the Anasazi would have done with the space. |  |
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| Scenic views | Doug at Alum Bluff Cave | ||
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We ended this hiking day with a lunch and rest at the “quiet walkway” that began our exploration of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park over almost two weeks ago. Butterflies joined us as they gathered in an area that appeared to be the equivalent of a mineral lick. |  |
| Lunch stop along a creek on a 'quiet walkway' | Butterfly congregation |
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One of the benefits of having the Jubilee in Tennessee was the proximity to the Trail Manor factory in Lake City. Our visit there was fascinating and informative, if not inspiring of confidence - let’s just say the absence of continual quality control was disturbing. However, our knowledge of the trailer and personal experience from our years of travel with it supercede any shortcomings. We do love our Trailmanor! Click here to take a virtual tour of the Trailmanor factory. |
| Our last night was the Jubilee banquet, complete with 18 piece band. |  |
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| Part of the Colorado contingent | Bill Hulsey at the mike | Kate Unruh and Eileen Maelzer |
| There was dancing and singing for those who wished and many of our Colorado buddies showed the others how it’s done. |  |
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| Dance contest | The Unruhs and the Phillips |
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| The sun sets on the 2003 Jubilee | |
