Question 1

SOCO - BAM it's GOOD!

Accepted Answer

SOCO Southern Contemporary Cuisine, located in the heart of Thornton Park in Downtown Orlando knocked our socks off! When three hours go by and you&#8217;re still not quite ready to leave, you know it&#8217;s a keeper.
&#8220;Where Southern Meets Contemporary&#8221;
We share a love of all things culinary with our long time High School friends and Orlando locals, Peter & Karen. To date, they&#8217;ve never missed on a College Park/Winter Park/Orlando pick for a meal or drinks out. This time it was SOCO (https://socothorntonpark.com/).
It&#8217;s easy to order too much food when you want to try just about everything on the menu, especially when you plan on sharing everything, so rationalize, &#8220;it&#8217;s not really that much&#8221;. Even so, very little went home with us.
Every single thing we ordered was good! Excellent cocktails. Traditional Southern dishes updated to &#8220;contemporary&#8221;. Man oh man, it was all so tasty. Executive Chef/Partner Greg Richie&#8217;s latest project is a complete winner!
Menu descriptions of each dish are in gallery captions.

Epicurean Notes:

Expect to pay around $50 pp for a full-on dining experrience: App, Entree, Dessert & Drink
There&#8217;s not a bad seat in the house, in my opinion. In nice weather, I&#8217;d choose outdoor seating. Great people watching in this hip neighborhood.
Street parking can be tough in this area. If you can&#8217;t find street parking, there&#8217;s a parking garage that backs up to SOCO with an entrance around the block. Exit via first level door and you&#8217;re practically at SOCO&#8217;s doorstep.

SOCO
629 E Central Blvd
Thorton Park, Orlando, FL 32801
407-849-1800

Question 2

One Bag Travel Tips with Tom Bihn

Accepted Answer

TOM BIHN: haven&#8217;t met the man, but love his company! Read the inspiring story about how the company got its start.
Tom Sewing In His Garage Workshop, Circa 1983. Image: TomBihn.com
Looking for the perfect backpack for &#8220;minimal&#8221; (one carry on bag only) international travel took research. The last time I did this kind of travel was decades ago as a college student abroad.
Things have changed. Materials are as tough or tougher, but lighter. People carry different things now &#8211; phones, tablets, laptops, chargers, cords, etc.
After settling on Tom Bihn, a Seattle company that designs gear based on personal knowledge and user feedback, orders fabric, cuts it, and sews it on site, I ordered the Synik 30(Liter). If you don&#8217;t know, like I didn&#8217;t, backpacks are sized in Liters.
They have a loyal following, which I joined after ordering a backpack with the wrong interior fabric. When you order your bag, you choose from multiple exterior and interior fabric weights and colors. I was going for the lightest bag possible with tough exterior fabric that would hide dirt, and a light colored interior fabric that would make it easier to find things.
I contacted the company, told them it was entirely my fault, but could I possibly return the bag and re-order? The combination I wanted was not in stock, but they managed to find me one and ship it out immediately, without charge, before I&#8217;d returned the original!
To top that off, they offered to send a new backpack they were in the process of designing, the Techonaut 30(Liter), to my daughter for this trip. It was only available for Pre-Order at that point and eagerly anticipated, so it was a big deal. They asked only that she give honest feedback on the bag. She even got to choose the fabrics and colors. The kicker was getting it to her before our departure date. I was a little concerned, so offered to pay expedited shipping to be sure she&#8217;d have it in time. Next thing I knew, they had shipped it 2 Day Air! It made it just in time!
Techonaut 30 in Red Blend
Tom Bihn backpacks and gear aren&#8217;t cheap, but you get more than you pay for, in my opinion. It&#8217;s not just about excellent fabrics at various weights/toughness, it&#8217;s about things like top of the line, YKK waterproof zippers sized for easy handling. These zippers are a little harder to open and close because of the rubberized backing. I liked that because &#8211; waterproof if it rains. But that also means they&#8217;re harder for pickpockets to slip open.
I just carried the Synik 30 around for two weeks to, all over, and back from Croatia. I&#8217;m talking multiple flights, hanging out in airports, a hotel when a flight was cancelled, five AirB&Bs in five different cities, ubers, taxis, taxi boats, and ferries. The thing looks and works like new! The same is true for the Techonaut 30 Audrey carried.
Because they&#8217;re constantly selling out, backpacks & accessories are listed as &#8220;In Stock&#8221; or &#8220;In Production&#8221;. They post Restock dates and times, and believe me, people are waiting to hit those Add to Basket/Checkout Now buttons as soon as restocked items go live!
PACKING A BACKPACK

To Cube or Not to Cube
Packing cubes have been around a long time. You can use them in standard suitcases, totes, backpacks, whatever. People that use them love them and wouldn&#8217;t pack any other way.
Tom Bihn backpacks are built with compression straps, &#8220;O&#8221; rings, pockets, etc., so cubes aren&#8217;t necessary, but rather an additional option.
I picked up a variety of shapes & sizes by two brands &#8211; REI and Eagle Creek. All of them are &#8220;compression cubes&#8221;. That means there&#8217;s two sets of zippers. Pack the cube, zip it up, and then close the compression zipper, taking the cube down to about half the size. Believe it or not, the right travel clothes do not wrinkle, even under this pressure.
My three cubes were used for; 1) underwear & socks, 2) capris & slacks, and 3) tops.
One cube I didn&#8217;t think I needed, but WILL be adding for the next trip is a Clean/Dirty cube. They usually have a flexible/moveable center divider. Some are rectangular, some are stuff bags. As you use your clothes, move them to the sealed &#8220;dirty&#8221; side of the cube.
Count me a packing cube convert!
Accessories
After shopping around for a new smaller, lighter toiletry bag, I ended up getting a Tom Bihn Standard Spiff Kit in Island 210 Ballistic. Other brands are less expensive, but they just can&#8217;t compete when it comes to construction quality and life expectancy. It held everything I needed for a 2 week trip and fit perfectly inside the very top of the backpack.
Finally, just so everyone knows, I would have written about the Tom Bihn company and their products with or without the Techonaut given to Audrey, an avid outdoors-woman, for field testing. I&#8217;m that impressed with the company, their philosophy, and the folks that work there.

Question 3

Romantic Couples Getaway to Greeneville, TN

Accepted Answer

Greeneville, TN is a great destination for a quick getaway road trip for couples, friends, and families from WNC. Lots of history and beautiful scenery. First published August 14, 2019. 
Four of us &#8211; two couples &#8211; share an interest in history, exploring new places, taking in scenery from the road, excellent food & music, great spots to stay, and unexpected discoveries, so when an opportunity came our way to put a new 2019 Chevy Blazer through its paces, Heidi, Tom, my husband, and I hit the road on a three-night Romantic Couples Getaway.
We left Hendersonville, NC early on a Sunday morning for Greeneville, TN, stopping in Marshall, NC for a late breakfast.

Don&#8217;t judge when I tell you we got to Greeneville just in time for a fabulous, and I mean fabulous, Brunch (served Saturdays and Sundays) at Brumley&#8217;s Restaurant & Lounge at the historic General Morgan Inn & Conference Center.

We took back roads that were full of curves, hills, and scenery &#8211; much of it along rivers. The scenery was great and we hugged the road in both 2 and 4 Wheel Drive.
We wanted to see how the Blazer&#8217;s OnStar® 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, advertised as able to handle up to 7 devises at a time, worked on country roads through the mountains. It also has up to a 50-foot range from the vehicle, which might come in handy in a few different scenarios. Not only was the network easy to connect to, not once did the signal drop throughout this entire trip.
See that paper map? We always have paper maps in the car just in case, just for fun, and for when we want to get a broader view in a bigger format.
Another bit of tech I tried was connecting my phone to the car using the Android Auto App. Every time I got in the car, the App activated automatically. All I had to do was plug my phone in to a USB jack and I could use voice to get to everything on my phone: other Apps like Waze, my calendar, make and receive calls (contact list accessable without uploading it to the car), get to my play lists, audio books, basically whatever&#8217;s on my phone. If you have an iPhone, use Apple CarPlay.
When I didn&#8217;t need to get to specific things on my phone, voice commands worked great with the car&#8217;s dash-mounted screen: maps, music, downloaded Apps, and calls via my Blue Tooth-paired phone.

Greeneville, and Greene County for that matter, are full of history. We toured the President Andrew Johnson National Historic Site: Visitor Center, Homestead, National Cemetery, Birthplace Replica, and Statue of Andrew Johnson. The Early Home was closed for roof replacement by a specialist company brought in from out of state. Greeneville&#8217;s also full of surprises like booming manufacturing and schools ranked #1 in the state! Tusculum University, home of Andrew Johnson&#8217;s Library, is close to opening the pioneering Niswonger College of Optometry with a full compliment of faculty and staff.
Later in the afternoon, we took some very cool, meandering back roads. Like, &#8220;Hi! We&#8217;re here for dinner at your front porch because it&#8217;s so close to the road&#8221;, kind of back roads from Greeneville to the David Crockett Birthplace State Historic Park in Limestone, TN, not far from Greeneville. It&#8217;s a pretty amazing park with lots of RV parking, a rec area (including an outdoor pool), living history type cabin, green areas & facilities, and an interesting Visitor Center. A really nice, wide river, the Nolichucky, runs along much of the park, also. P.S. He preferred to be called &#8220;David&#8221;, not Davy, after getting in to politics.
It was such a beautiful day, we set a romantic picnic table next to the river for dinner: Ploughman&#8217;s Fruit & Cheese Board and Biscuit/Scone leftovers, cheeses, crackers, and a variety of small boxed wines we brought from home.

It was pushing dusk, closing time at the park, so we packed up and headed back to the historic General Morgan Inn for the night. Two romantic rooms had been booked for us and we were looking forward to a little &#8220;down time&#8221; on our own.
Inn General Manager Michael Brown welcomed us early in our visit and filled us in on some of the Inn&#8217;s history. Hospitality has been happening on this spot since the late 1790s when The DeWoody Tavern was welcoming travelers and offering locals a meeting space. They were in business for almost a century. An interesting note about the General Morgan Inn, which stands on the same spot as the Tavern, is that it&#8217;s actually three different railroad hotels that were combined in to one.
I loved the hotel and our room. Our room was perfect for relaxing and cooling off after a long, warm afternoon outside. As my thoughts wandered, they settled on one way I&#8217;d describe the Inn &#8211; as the home of a much loved, favorite Great Aunt. Beautifully decorated, extremely clean, and well lived in.
In the picture of the hotel below, the front corner is a good coffee shop, Catalyst Coffee Co, accessible through the Inn&#8217;s lobby or from Main Street. Each hotel guest gets a $7 Catalyst voucher in their check in package. We all took full advantage in the morning. Yes, I did my standard Latte test and they passed with flying colors.
Image: General Morgan Inn Facebook Page

Cooler temps the following morning were just the thing for a historic downtown walking tour called &#8220;A Walk With the President&#8221;. Our Guide, Wilhelmina Clemmer Williams, met us in the Inn&#8217;s lobby for a pre-walk conversation about Greeneville history. She&#8217;s a Guide rather than a Docent because all walking tour Guides are highly trained by the National Park Service. She was friendly, professional, and definitely knew her stuff!

Our Romantic Couples Getaway was Sponsored by Chevrolet and Visit Greeneville TN.

Question 4

Come to your senses - getaway to The Tennessean Hotel!

Accepted Answer

Engage your senses with Personal Luxury
Repurpose or destroy? Time passes. Times change. Too often with buildings the answer is destroy. Happily, that didn&#8217;t happen to the 1982 World&#8217;s Fair office building in Knoxville, TN that&#8217;s now The Tennessean Hotel (https://www.thetennesseanhotel.com/).
Outside it looks pretty much as it did in 1982, but inside it&#8217;s an entirely different story. Their &#8220;Personal Luxury&#8221; approach begins as soon as you arrive and continues throughout your stay.

Turn your vehicle over to Valet Parking when you pull up and don&#8217;t think about it again until it&#8217;s time to head home. Of course you can park in a nearby lot, if you prefer, but it&#8217;s nice to know your vehicle is secure and being looked after. And if you&#8217;re like me and forget something in the car, someone from Valet will retrieve it for you and drop it off at your room.
More reasons to Valet:

Whatever you want to do in town is within walking distance.
Free Trolley (Map) running four or five routes is picked up right outside the hotel.
Don&#8217;t want to wait for a trolley, take advantage of their complimentary, luxury Black Car service.
There are 112.5 miles of paved greenway and natural trails (Map).

My husband and I both appreciated the boutique feel and elevated service at The Tennessean. A soothing color palate of beiges and blues, accented in yellow/gold and a touch of black throughout sets the tone. Add the intentional effort at setting themselves apart from the ordinary by offering touches of personal luxury that will engage all your senses, and you have a wonderful getaway experience.
After checking in and freshening up a bit, we headed to The Drawing Room for Tea Service. It was absolutely wonderful! Three tiers of scrumptious made-in-house savory and sweet treats were served with specialty teas. Not just served. Served on gorgeous Wedgewood Bone China trimmed in 24k gold. Even though it&#8217;s dishwater safe, they wash every piece by hand!
Everything was delicious! I was happily surprised by the Chocolate Covered Strawberries that had been soaked or macerated before being dipped in chocolate. No more biting into a red strawberry only to find an white, unripe interior. My favorite tea was their Signature Sweet Peach Noir. A party for the senses!
They are planning a series of very special Tea Service events. Next up is the Princess Tea Service on July 31st. Bridal Tea Service is available as their take on a special Bridal Shower.
Princess Tea Service
&#8220;Calling princesses of all ages! You are invited to enjoy tea and assorted beverages, along with a variety of tea sandwiches, scones, pastries and desserts. Don’t miss a photo opportunity with our princesses and take away a special gift to remember the day. This tea service will be an event your family will cherish for years to come.
Seatings Available at 12:30PM and 2:30PM&#8221;
Tea Service, Breakfast, and Drinks are all served in their luscious Drawing Room. Take a moment to look at and feel the custom designed napkins depicting Knoxville that are imported from France. It&#8217;s especially posh in the evening for cocktails when the lights are low and conversations are muted.
Afterwards we took a couple of the free trolley routes to get oriented. Loved my first look at much of the Univeristy of Tennessee campus. Then walked all over town &#8211; historic Old City, Gay St, and Market Square. Did a little shopping, had dinner, and checked out a couple rooftop bars before heading back to the hotel.
Our corner room was spacious and comfortable. Two of the walls were mostly glass, giving us a great view of the Worlds Fair site and Sunsphere. Someone did an excellent job refitting the building with luxurious bathrooms.
Of course I had to feel the bed linens and thick, fluffy towels. I&#8217;ll admit to doing a few horizontal jumping jack moves after slipping into bed. Their bed linens have that luxury feel as they should since they&#8217;re also imported from France.
For families who are okay sharing a room, consider spacious their &#8220;Executive King/King&#8221;. For groups and events, definitely check out the Governor&#8217;s Suite! Multiple bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room with baby grand piano. Word is, a number of celebrities have stayed in this suite.
Both of us being kind of geeky, we turned the Tennessee River/Water themed interior into a scavenger hunt of sorts. Throughout our stay, we spotted themed carpets, lighting (sconces, table lamps), map murals above bed headboards, and art. It&#8217;s not overdone, though. The most unique theme expression is in a lobby lounge area, and comes in the form of a &#8220;wall of books&#8221; bound in a way that the book spines creates a beautiful stylized map of the Tennessee River meandering through Knoxville. See HOTEL PHOTOS here.

Epicurean Notes:

Knoxville is an easy two hour drive from Asheville.
UT football fan? Check out The Tennessean&#8217;s Luxury Football Experience! &#8220;Kick off game-day with our brunch menu options and Mimosa Bar before loading a luxury motor coach for complimentary transportation to and from the game.&#8221;
A getaway to The Tennessean Hotel isn&#8217;t just for couples. Think girl&#8217;s getaway, a football getaway, family time, basically any kind of getaway.
The most common thing heard in Knoxville these days is, &#8220;I had no idea all of this was here!&#8221;

The Tennessean Hotel
531 Henley St
Knoxville, TN 37902
Sponsored

Question 5

The Search is on for Dollywood's next panel of Insiders. Apply now!

Accepted Answer

Dollywood is searching for its next panel of park insiders who share experiences and tips through online content. For the past five seasons, park guests have found helpful information on Dollywood blogs and social channels thanks to this group of non-employed Dollywood pros. Applications for the sixth panel of Dollywood Insiders are available now at https://www.dollywood.com/lpg/insider.
From best-value suggestions to traffic flow tips and where-to-eat recommendations, Dollywood Insiders provide expert guest perspective to aid others in trip planning. Content is shared via blog, pictures and video.
“We invite veteran Dollywood guests to become our experts,” explained Amber Davis, Digital Publicist. “As the program has grown in popularity, we’ve been able to grow the number of panelists each year. For our next panel, we will select 20 Insiders. These applicants turn their love for Dollywood into a platform for sharing trip-planning advice. Though they don’t receive a paycheck, they do get season passes and exclusive access as they create content for Dollywood channels.”
Dollywood Insiders are relatable. Past Insiders include moms, dads, grandmas, single parents, professionals, bloggers and theme park enthusiasts. Dollywood intentionally selects its panelists from diverse walks of life to best represent Dollywood park visitors. These panelists hail from communities across the Southeast—from Knoxville, Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte and beyond.
Dollywood Insiders are tasked with pitching and creating blogs and videos that help others learn about Dollywood, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. The Insiders serve on the panel for a one-year term and may re-apply, if interested. Perks of the role include season passes, behind-the-scenes access and invitations to media events.
Applications must be submitted by Monday, July 19 at noon. After interviews, panelists will be selected and notified by July 26.
About The Dollywood Company: A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 160-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of more than 40 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 27 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and has been named a top-three US theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows, and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and TripAdvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa provides guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Question 6

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas in Full Swing

Accepted Answer

With Christmas approaching and the calendar set to turn from 2020, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 7 – Jan. 3, 2021) is poised to wrap guests in the warm light of timeless family traditions, new memories and joyous time spent together. Thanks in part to the glow of more than 5 million gleaming Christmas lights and a dazzling new holiday fireworks show, guests can bask in the memories of yesterday while embracing the hope of tomorrow.
New fireworks show, Santa experience and lighting themes highlight festival
Dollywood guests are immediately enveloped in the illumination of millions of holiday lights, which create a festive Christmas atmosphere that has become a cherished family tradition for generations. While the lighting itself remains familiar to guests, brand new area-based themes and lighting designs throughout the park provide a sense of wonder and discovery around each turn. Guests will find themselves strolling through a literal winter wonderland, as more live lighted Christmas trees will adorn the park than during any Christmas festival before.
“Christmas is so precious because of the time we take to gather with friends and family to share the light of love and hope with each other. It’s so good to be able to laugh about old memories and traditions, and even start a few new ones,” said Dolly Parton.
“Some Christmases are more memorable than others, and I think this year is certainly one we won’t forget. I want families to feel the warmth and comfort of all the great things they remember about Dollywood at Christmas, with a few new experiences that will become the memories they share years from now. In twenty years, when someone says, ‘Do you remember 2020?,’ of course they’ll think about how strange this year has been, but I also hope they’ll stop and say, ‘Yes, but remember that special time we had at Dollywood during Christmas that year.’”
Just one of the new experiences guests can enjoy this season is an end-of-the-evening event that will add a little sparkle to the “Dolly-days” this year. A Christmas fireworks display called Merry & Bright! celebrates the season with a colorful and energetic show featuring a number of contemporary holiday songs that will add a little cheer for guests. Performance dates will be available on Dollywood.com and the Dollywood app.
The spotlight also shines brightly on the park’s award-winning entertainment this season. Christmas in the Smokies—a heartwarming tradition that families have enjoyed for 30 years—returns indoors to center stage at DP’s Celebrity Theater. Guests also can enjoy a new show, called Heart of the Holidays, which features several members of Dolly’s family and includes a mix of some of her holiday favorites alongside songs from her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas. Heart of the Holidays takes place in the DreamSong Theater. Another returning guest favorite, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, can be found at the Pines Theater.
Heartfelt entertainment abounds during the festival, including O’ Holy Night, Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band, Holiday Wild Roots, The Mistletones and the Candlelight Carolers, a new choral group who can be found performing on the steps of the Robert F. Thomas Chapel. More than 40 holiday performances currently are scheduled to take place each operating day during Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Glacier Ridge presented by Goo Goo Cluster fills Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with an expansive arctic experience sure to inspire and delight guests. Wilderness Pass Plaza serves as one of the highlights of Glacier Ridge thanks to the Wonderful Christmas! tree show, which features a 50-ft. tall animated tree that sparkles to life to present a fully-synchronized, dazzling light show throughout the evening. Inside Wildwood Grove, the Wildwood Tree tells inspirational Christmas stories each evening as guests explore this captivating area.
For the kids—and kids at heart—wondering what Santa is up to this year, Dollywood will shine a little light on Old Saint Nick’s home away from home. When he isn’t hard at work at the North Pole, Santa likes to visit East Tennessee and his favorite Smoky Mountain songstress, Dolly! Thanks to a brand-new experience, guests literally can see inside Santa’s cabin in the Smokies as he reviews…the list! Kids discover whether their name is on the naughty or nice list, and they even have their photo made as they peer through the window during this once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch Santa at work.
And for those looking to celebrate the holidays with the perfect family meal, Dollywood’s team of chefs have a menu full of culinary surprises sure to delight. At Front Porch Café, diners can enjoy beef tenderloin medallions with a cabernet demi reduction, seared trout with sweet Cajun glaze, or a glazed ham steak with pineapple chutney. New this year, the Blue Ribbon Buffet is an unparalleled all-you-can-eat menu with buffet service, featuring roasted pork loin, herb garlic roasted chicken, carved prime rib and spiral ham, served alongside roasted sweet potato wedges, herb potato puree, baked macaroni and cheese, and more.
For those with an appetite on the go, Market Square offers a variety of options to tempt the taste buds thanks to a number of hearty sandwiches and soups. Guests can choose from a three-cheese panini, a shaved ribeye panini, or a panini with heirloom tomato and fresh mozzarella, which can be paired with tomato bisque, beef barley soup or the soup of the day. Specialty treats include s’mores bread pudding and hot chocolate.
Spotlight Bakery feels like Christmas at grandma’s with so many rich, sweet baked goods. Guests can choose their favorites from a variety of beautifully-decorated holiday cookies, gingerbreads and cupcakes or warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Families also can take some of the holiday fun home with a gingerbread house or family-size cookie kit, both complete with icing and decorations!
As always, guests can experience Dollywood’s world-class rides amidst the hustle and bustle of the park during the holidays, as most rides are operational during the Christmas season. Nothing compares to racing quickly through the night sky with millions of lights twinkling below.
No matter what activities are on the Christmas list this year, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is sure to shine a familiar light on holiday traditions that families will share and cherish for years to come.
For anyone searching for the perfect gift of unlimited family fun and memories, a Dollywood season pass is the solution! A season pass purchased during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas provides unlimited admission to this year’s Christmas festival along with unlimited admission for Dollywood’s entire 2021 season. Guests should purchase their 2021 season pass online now or upgrade their paid one-day admission ticket on the day of their visit. Ticket purchasers receive credit for the value of a regular one-day ticket toward the purchase of a 2021 season pass.
For more information and a park operating calendar, please visit dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
About The Dollywood Company: A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 160-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of more than 40 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 27 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and has been named a top-three US theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows, and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and TripAdvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa provides guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Question 7

10 places Food Nerds shouldn't miss in Sevierville, TN

Accepted Answer

aka Romantic Couples Getaway &#8211; Part 2
After spending a day and a half exploring Greeneville, TN (Romantic Couples Getaway &#8211; Part 1), we headed west on our quest to find 10 places Food Nerds shouldn&#8217;t miss in Sevierville, TN. There are a couple routes from Greeneville to Sevierville. One takes you on major highways north of Douglass Lake, and one on smaller roads on the lake&#8217;s southern side. Both take just over an hour, and both offer pretty scenery. We took the &#8220;southern&#8221; route in the 2019 Chevy Blazer we were test driving. In addition to lots of countryside, farms, and rolling hills, we saw quite a few interesting birds. Tom has an uncanny knack for imitating all kinds of bird calls, which also kept us entertained.
Even though we were in town two full days and two nights, we barely made a dent in Sevierville&#8217;s culinary scene!
Food Nerds, we did the research &#8211; in this order. Here are 10 places in Sevierville you shouldn&#8217;t miss:
BUSH&#8217;S VISITOR CENTER, CAFE & MUSEUM

I&#8217;ve driven past Bush&#8217;s Visitor Center more times than I can count, but never had the time to stop before now. We planned to have lunch at the Cafe, watch an all-about-Bush&#8217;s movie, go through the interesting & subtly humorous Museum, and wander through the Gift Shop. Give yourself a couple hours for a meal and tour.
Bring your appetite and be prepared for a hearty, Southern-leaning meal at the Cafe. We sampled Fried Catfish, Grilled Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Cornbread, Chili Dogs, and the pièce de résistance, house-made (as all pies are at Bush&#8217;s) Pimento Bean Pecan Pie, and more. Whatever you do, save room for that pie! If you want to make it at home, here&#8217;s the Bush&#8217;s Pinto Bean Pie Recipe. A word about the Chili Dogs. They were topped with chili made with BUSH&#8217;S® Chili Magic® Chili Starter. All you do is add your own meat and diced tomatoes when you need to make a quick batch of chili.
A word about the staff &#8211; friendly and fun! Guess that&#8217;s two words, but I was impressed with every member of staff we met. The woman who bakes all the pies even came out of the kitchen to talk and answer some questions we had.
PEPPER PALACE

Whoa! You haven&#8217;t explored hot sauce until you&#8217;ve been to the Pepper Palace! Every type of sauce and every bottle on their shelves is made right there at their Sevierville location. We were lucky enough to watch the magic happen in their production area. The seasonings were in huge buckets and too numerous to count. See the picture of the &#8220;label room&#8221; in the collage. They also have a great sense of humor. Evidence of a pepper fatality remained outside a walk-in cooler.
FIVE OAKS FARM KITCHEN

Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Supper, Five Oaks Farm Kitchen is in a huge stand alone building that&#8217;s absolutely gorgeous inside. Bring a hearty appetite because portions are huge. Now that I think about it, Five Oaks is a good place to bring teenagers that never seem to get enough to eat. Seating is at tables with benches, so if you need a back on your chair, don&#8217;t plan on lingering over your meal. See all their menus HERE.
APPLEWOOD FARMHOUSE RESTAURANT

Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, celebrating 100 years for the farmhouse and 33 years for the restaurant next year, is part of a complex that&#8217;s grown organically in response to demand over the years. Some just call it &#8220;The Apple Barn&#8221; place. There&#8217;s also a Grill (pictured above), Cider Mill & General Store  (aka Gift Shop) and Winery. Be sure to check out the Gift Shop. It used to be a barn and they left the stalls in place when it was converted. The entire complex, but especially the Farmhouse Restaurant is beloved by generations of locals and visitors that return every year. Featuring &#8220;traditional Southern home cooking like Grandma used to make&#8221;, their Breakfast menu has something for everyone. They&#8217;re famous (for good reason) for their Applewood Fritters. Everything we had was delicious, including new this year &#8211; fresh squeezed orange juice. Don&#8217;t tell anyone, but I admit to consuming more than my share of those fritters! Almost forgot, another fun drink is their Applewood Julep (non alcohol): apple, orange, pineapple, and lemon juice.
We were fortunate that Executive Chef Roman Campbell had so much time to spend with us. He&#8217;s such a gem! He&#8217;s been on board for 7 years, as the new kid on the block, since most staff have been at the restaurant for 20 to 40 years! Heidi has a catering company and teaches cooking lessons, so we just about leapt from the table when Chef invited her to try her hand at making Applewood Fritters. Of course we were all invited in to the kitchen. Fun Fritter Fact: they make approximately 2,400,000 fritters per year!
Below is a long Facebook Live Video, so if you just want to watch Heidi making fritters, fast forward to about 5:34. We had so much fun in their kitchen!
Seating types are varied and comfortable. If you&#8217;re a swinger, there&#8217;s actually one or two tables out toward the Grill that have porch swing type seats on either side.
HILLSIDE WINERY

Processing more TN fruit than anyone else in the state, Hillside Winery processes over a million pounds per year, and produces 180,000 bottles per year. We were surprised to learn that they&#8217;re the proud maker of the most awarded Muscadine Wine in the world! I was intrigued by the use of lemon and honey as an aide in defining flavor during a free tasting of a broad selection of their wines.
The public is welcome to tour their winemaking facility Thursday – Saturday from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. The tours are complimentary and start every half hour. The last tour of the day begins at 5pm. Please call ahead with groups of 10 or more.
Want more Great Smoky Mountain made wine? Hillside is one of five area wineries on the free self-guided Rocky Top Wine Trail. Ask for a Wine Trail rack card. It includes an easy to follow map.
GRAZE BURGERS

I cringe &#8211; just a bit &#8211; when people say, &#8220;this is the best ______ I&#8217;ve had in my life!&#8221; Well, I can&#8217;t believe I&#8217;m going to say this, but the burger I had at Graze Burgers was the absolute best burger I&#8217;ve had in my life. Don&#8217;t ask me why. I won&#8217;t be able to break it down to specific meat, seasonings, cooking technique, whatever. I just ate the thing and my eyes rolled at the incredible flavor between the buns.
If you know me, you know I&#8217;m all about Root Beer Floats. Well. They make theirs with Louisiana-made Abita Root Beer. Delicious! They have a great lineup of drinks, including Spiked Shakes.
Graze opened this past February in a beautifully remodeled interior space that pays homage to its past. A killer patio with fire pit can be found out back. They&#8217;re located in the heart of downtown Sevierville. Garage door type windows open behind the bar in nice weather for sweet counter-top service in what feels like an especially nice short cut to the back. See the picture in the collage.
When you&#8217;re in Sevierville, Graze Burgers is a must stop!
COURTHOUSE DONUTS

Co-founders Jeff and Jennifer Dyer created something special with Courthouse Donuts. It&#8217;s a &#8220;design your own donut shop&#8221;, as well as a coffee shop, bakery, and deli. And it&#8217;s become a favorite local spot to meet up with friends or just hang out for a while. Jennifer and her sons run the shop, which is directly across the street from Sevierville&#8217;s gorgeous historic courthouse, and seemed to me to be at the epicenter of lots of law offices. When we walked in, a customer struck up a friendly conversation with us. Turned out he was a judge.
Of course, Heidi ended up in the kitchen again. Jennifer gave her a lesson on how to make their two most popular donuts: the Yabba Dabba and Terri&#8217;s Turtle (pictured above). Gliiide, Heidi, gliiide.
https://www.facebook.com/HLBillotto/videos/477945689651170/
Taken all together, there&#8217;s something like 90+ combinations you can create. Fill in your &#8220;ring&#8221;, toppings, and sauce picks on a form at the counter and they&#8217;ll put your order together for you in a jiffy.
OLD TENNESSEE DISTILLING CO

All I saw when we walked in to Old Tennessee Distilling Co were stacks and stacks of Moonshine in just about any flavor you could imagine. I&#8217;m not a huge moonshine fan, but I&#8217;ve been told theirs is very good. It didn&#8217;t take long to realize they produce so much more than Moonshine, and believe me when I tell you their products are delicious.
The four of us had a lot of fun doing a tasting after an extremely informative tour by one of the owners. My favorite was their CAL Johnson Black Mountain Rum. So good! I didn&#8217;t leave with any bottles, but absolutely HAD to take home a jar of their incredible Butcher&#8217;s Bourbon Cherries. They&#8217;re fantastic in Old Fashioned cocktails, as well as an ice cream topper. See all their spirited products HERE.
SEVIER DISTILLING CO

Sevier Distilling Co is tucked away from the main road, but not hard to find if you put their address in to your GPS. I&#8217;m happy we decided to check this one out. Not only are their products tasty, I learned a few new things about spirits in general.
Because they can&#8217;t call their non-Tequila, Mexico-made 100% Blue Aguave nectar product Tequila (like Champagne made outside the French Champagne region can&#8217;t be called Champagne), they&#8217;ve named it Tennekeela.
The colored &#8220;tasters&#8221; pictured are creative mixes they made up using their products and juices, flavored coffee creamer, and more. This definitely gave me some ideas. These mixes can be dangerous. They&#8217;re so tasty, it&#8217;s tempting to drink more than you would normally, and then the spirits sneak up on you.
They&#8217;re currently producing four spirits: Yeoh. Honey spelled backwards, it&#8217;s a wildflower honey liquor &#8211; not mead or wine &#8211; named after a &#8220;late night scrabble game that went terribly wrong&#8221;. Tennekeela, Yetti Vodka, and Real Deal Shine.
NOTE: They are open for business and doing well, but are going through some changes in their online presence. Their website is a little hinky, but the Home page is a good reference. They also tell me their Facebook Page will be updated soon.
TONY GORE&#8217;S SMOKY MOUNTAIN BBQ & GRILL

Southern Gospel, Southern Cooking, Southern Hospitality. After 20 years as a singer on the Southern Gospel circuit, Tony opened Tony Gore&#8217;s Smoky Mountain BBQ & Grill. His &#8220;process is all-natural pit BBQ with 100 percent hickory smoked meats that are slow cooked for hours. All of his sauces are original recipes starting with the one handed down to him from his Granddaddy.&#8221;
Know three things; from the moment you step inside until you leave, you&#8217;re in for some great BBQ and fixins; you will be listening to Southern Gospel playing gently in the background; and you will NOT leave hungry! Just take a look at those T’s Loaded Tater Chips smothered in their legendary Pulled Pork, Melted Cheese and BBQ Sauce! Oh my word.
And there you have it, 10 places Food Nerds shouldn&#8217;t miss in Sevierville, TN. Of course, we only had two days . . .

Question 8

Weekend Getaway to Orlando sans Disney and Universal

Accepted Answer

After a few months of cold weather in Western North Carolina last February, we hopped a low cost Allegiant Air flight out of Asheville for a weekend getaway in Orlando, Florida. Click gallery images to enlarge.
It was the first time we&#8217;d flown Allegiant. And like most know, or find out as they book their flight, those low fares go up quickly when any amenity (basic or not) is added, so keep that in mind when trying to keep the fare low.
My mistake was thinking that my one bag the size of a large purse was a &#8220;carry on&#8221; for which I needed to pay an additional $40. It was actually considered the one free personal item bag I was allowed. That said, paying the $40 gets you a spot in the overhead for one bag, whether your personal item or an additional carry on. So, if you can manage with one weekend bag that fits under the seat in front of you, no carry on upcharge is necessary.
We&#8217;re lucky enough to have long time friends who&#8217;ve lived in College Park for decades. If you&#8217;re not able to stay with friends, you can find good hotel, Airb&b, and Vrbo lodging at reasonable prices.
Together we came up with lots of fun things to do that didn&#8217;t take us anywhere near Disney or Universal.
Thursday: COLLEGE PARK
Evening Arrival
Visiting with Peter and Karen is always wonderful. It&#8217;s a time for catching up and rejuvenating. Their neighborhood is quaint and established, but it&#8217;s experiencing a bit of transition with some older homes demolished in favor of new, or heavily remodeled to updated versions. There are lots of beautiful homes, old and new, that are fun to see while walking the sidewalk around the two neighborhood lakes.

Friday: WINTER PARK
Dinner and a Show
What a fun, tasty find Rome&#8217;s Flavours (124 E Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789) was! If you don&#8217;t look carefully at their online interior pictures, you&#8217;ll be surprised at the inside seating &#8211; cozy and limited. They do have quite a bit of sidewalk seating, though.
High points were house-made pasta, good wine and beer selection, and delicious house-made gelato in creative flavors. See a sample menu here.

After dinner we headed over to The Winter Park Playhouse (711 N Orange Ave # C, Winter Park, FL 32789) for lots of smiling and head bopping to the music of Fats Waller in a professional production titled Ain&#8217;t Misbehavin&#8217;. Great cast, high energy, fantastic vocals! If you&#8217;re in the area, taking in a show at this gem of a theater is a must!
My only regret is that we arrived last minute, so weren&#8217;t able to take advantage of the completely inviting lobby piano bar, featuring a grand piano and lots of comfy seating.
Image: broadwayworld.com
Saturday: Sanford
Festivals, Dinner, Brews, and Views
Is too much fun even possible? Not in my world! Saturday was all about great food, great drinks, and great scenery.
We headed out to Sanford&#8217;s Historic Residential Downtown for the 2nd Annual Porchfest. In a nutshell, musicians/bands set up on front porches of historic homes and play, with 15 minute breaks between bands. Folks walk, bike, and golf cart throughout the district, stopping to listen to the music and hang out with friends.
It&#8217;s free and a completely volunteer (unpaid) effort on the part of organizers, bands, District home owners, and support services like print shops. Donations for festival and local non-profit support are accepted at each porch. Bring a blanket, light weight chair, or whatever, to sit on, sun screen, water, and snacks (optional of course).
Some homeowners offer food for sale. We saw BBQ grills, and one group of kids operating a lemonade stand. And best of all, we were impressed with the quality of the music.
After hours of walking the District, stopping at lots of porches, we walked in to town for dinner at Sanford Brewing Company (400 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771) as the Central Florida Brewers Guild Festival was taking place. They serve &#8220;Southern gastro comfort food. Some bar food, some sandwiches, and some full plates&#8221; ( Menu ), as well as their own brews. We ordered a variety of both food and drink and were happy with all of our choices.
At this point a stroll along Sanford&#8217;s River Walk was in order. We were treated to sightings of birds, a variety of fish, and a gorgeous sunset. A great way to wrap up a great day.

Sunday: Breakfast & Mt. Dora
Exploring, Shopping, Afternoon Drinks
Our flight back to Asheville wasn&#8217;t until late afternoon, so we had time for Brunch at a pretty hip spot, Se7en Bites (617 Primrose Dr, Orlando, FL 32803), tagging along with our friends as they shopped for a new kitchen appliance in a huge, very cool warehouse with creaky floors, and a few hours exploring the sweet town of Mount Dora, including the luxurious Historic 1883-built Lakeside Inn (100 North Alexander Street
Mount Dora, FL 32757).
Se7en Bites has a system for handling the mobs of people who show up for Sunday Brunch. Not sure how busy they are other days of the week? We moved through the line  outside, past the host, and through the line inside quickly enough. Luckily we got a hold of menus (specials change weekly) when we were outside, so it wasn&#8217;t quite as hectic when we placed our orders at the counter as newbies.
Overall, loved the concept! The menu is creative and all our dishes were delicious, but it definitely leans &#8220;heavy&#8221; with lots of meats, biscuits, and gravy. Some vegetarian options are available, but no vegan at this time. Be prepared to take whatever seat you can find. A couple of us ended up eating scooched up to our table balancing on the front edge of what I think was a church pew.

&#8220;What’s the story behind the name Se7enbites?
Chef and owner, Trina Gregory-Propst had a long journey to owning a bakery and being healthy. In 2007, she had a sleeve gastrectomy. After this procedure her intake per meal had become 7 bites. Thus, the name was born -Se7enbites. Her new food philosophy has been if 7 bites is all you get it better be the best damn 7 bites ever!&#8221;

Brewed coffee is available, which would go with anything, absolutely anything, from their incredible bakery. Don&#8217;t miss the pictures of baked goods in the gallery below. I admit to lagging behind longer than I should have, ogling masses of treats on bell jar covered cake stands.
One of the things owner and Chef Trina Gregory-Propst is famous for is her Vanilla Bean Bourbon Bacon Moonpie. It was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2017. Click here to watch a video of Chef Gregory-Propst making those amazing Moonpies.
Mount Dora is a cute waterfront town that is totally stroll-worthy, with cute shops, a Modernism Museum, a great museum store, and plenty of restaurants. Anchoring the town on water&#8217;s edge is the iconic Lakeside Inn.
It was a warm day, so after walking around town, we decided to head to the Lakeside Inn for drinks. We almost sat on the big covered porch with a view of the lawn, pool with covered bar, and lake, but opted for air conditioning in the bar. If you&#8217;re in the area, take some time to walk he Inn&#8217;s property. It&#8217;s beautifully maintained and landscaped.

Plan ahead for a winter weekend getaway with low cost airfare to Orlando. Remember, it&#8217;s not all about the amusement parks. There&#8217;s so many other things to see and do!

Question 9

Dollywood Opens Wildwood Grove - Largest Expansion in Park History

Accepted Answer

Dollywood again solidified its place among the nation’s premier family destinations as Dolly Parton officially opened Wildwood Grove, the largest expansion in park history. Parton opened the fascinating new land to visitors ready to enjoy its 11 thrilling new experiences. During a media event that I attended, Parton shared the inspiration and dreams that led to the creation of Wildwood Grove, calling the area the new standard for Dollywood.
At $37 million, Wildwood Grove is Dollywood theme park’s largest capital investment ever and is the first new area added to Dollywood since Wilderness Pass in 2008. The biggest adventure in Dollywood’s history provides guests of all sizes unique experiences to enjoy together as a family.
“When I was a little girl growing up in the hills of the Smoky Mountains, I’d often let my imagination just run away—something I still do now—dreaming these big dreams about what it’d be like to venture off with a family of bears in to the woods or how fun it would be to hitch a ride with the butterflies and dragonflies,” Parton said. “All us kids would splash and play in the creeks and ponds around home and have these daydreams about the world around us, and that’s what’s so special about Wildwood Grove. We’ve been able to create a new area to allow families to experience some of those exact dreams we all had when we were little.
“Wildwood Grove is so special to me because so many of the same daydreams and imaginations from my childhood have now found a perfect place at my Dollywood. I hope families will enjoy laughing, playing and exploring together in this great new place that truly does feel like home for me.”
The Dollywood Company President Craig Ross explained the significance of the newest addition to the storied theme park.
“Without doubt, this is one of the most exciting days in the history of our company,” Ross explained. “It is rare in our industry that a park adds a completely new land in its entirety, and as we continue to grow and set attendance records, we needed to add more area to give guests more room to spread out and explore. Additionally, we were able to take many of Dolly’s childhood dreams and create experiences that are uniquely Smoky Mountain-themed and really help tell the story of this beautiful area.
“I know our guests will be thrilled with the great diversity of attractions they will be able to enjoy when they visit Wildwood Grove. We’re extremely proud of the fact that there are experiences here that every member of the family will love and enjoy.”
After stepping into Wildwood Grove, imagination takes flight, delivering explorers on a journey of discovery in this breathtaking area. Remarkable sights await visitors throughout the land. In the distance, the breathtaking Wildwood Tree catches the eye as lively butterflies shimmer in the daylight. Families laugh and play, taking rides inside giant acorns at Treetop Tower and aboard a thrilling “leaf boat” on the Great Tree Swing.
The Treetop Tower gives guests a sky-high view of Wildwood Grove as they soar in the air, seated inside giant acorns. One of the newest attractions in Wildwood Grove, Treetop Tower is the first ride guests see when they visit the largest expansion in Dollywood’s history. Image: Dollywood
Guests aboard the Great Tree Swing rock back and forth just like a leaf falling from a giant sycamore tree. The Great Tree Swing is one of the new attractions in Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove. Image: Dollywood
Even the bears are friendly in Wildwood Grove, as they let guests meander with them through their own natural habitat at the Black Bear Trail.
Dolly Parton and Jenna Bush Hagar try to figure out the controls, so they can send a Black Bear rider and her mom on their way.
Guest Kari Willis enjoys Black Bear Trail, one of the newest attractions at Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove. Image: Dollywood
If smaller guests (or their adults, like me) need a quick break, Hidden Hollow contains a 4,000 sq. ft. climate-controlled area with climbing structures, slides and games where kids and their parents can enjoy play time full of exploration.

Nearby, families scream with delight as they take a ride with Tennessee’s state symbol—the mockingbird—in an experience they control themselves at The Mad Mockingbird. Others dip and dart through geysers while suspended from dragonflies on the area’s signature ride attraction, Dragonflier.
One of the feature ride attractions in Wildwood Grove, Dragonflier is a suspended roller coaster that allows guests to soar like a dragonfly, dipping and darting along the gushing geysers and lush landscape. Image: Dollywood
At the heart of it all is The Wildwood Tree. This focal point is a beacon for all, drawing families to watch the butterflies play in its leafy canopy, while encouraging others to splash and play in the winding creek that flows at its base. As the daylight fades, families can bask in a colorful kaleidoscope of summer fun as the area glows to life.
Wildwood Grove also features new merchandise and dining options for park guests. Till & Harvest, which is expected to open around Memorial Day, provides the perfect blend of Smoky Mountain flavors and fresh Mexican cuisine. The menu features a variety of build-your-own style entrees such as burritos, bowls, salads and nachos all filled with wood-fired meats, fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces. Along with the Smoky Mountain Mexican flavors, Till & Harvest also provides a spacious open-air patio for families to enjoy the sights and sounds of Wildwood Grove while they enjoy their meal.
Mountain Grove Merchants is the one-stop-shop for guests looking for the perfect gift or souvenir to celebrate their adventure in Wildwood Grove.
Nearly $1 million has been invested in Wildwood Grove’s landscaping, with more than 400 trees and 2,300 shrubs creating a beautiful, yet decidedly natural atmosphere to enjoy. As the landscaping continues to mature, the visual appeal of the area will only increase.
I can vouch for that beautiful landscaping! A stream has been created that runs through part of Wildwood Grove, including a fun, shallow splash pad area.

This is what it looks like when bloggers and their families attend a media event, or any time they are planning a post. The kids were having a blast, but every now and then, Dad or someone else with a camera would ask them to do something again or move to a different spot. Looked like the kids were fine with that as long as they got to play. 🙂
Each day of exploration in Wildwood Grove is an experience families don’t want to miss. These merry memory making moments are certain to become a treasured part of every family’s visit.
WILDWOOD GROVE FACTS

The Wildwood Tree comes to life each evening during a unique nighttime experience which begins June 15. Each season of the year features a spectacular new experience for guests. The Wildwood Tree features nearly 650 lighted butterflies (orange, blue, yellow, pink and multi-colored) and almost 9000 leaves.
Dragonflier— This thrilling suspended roller coaster lets guests soar with a dragonfly as it dips and darts along the gushing geysers and lush landscape of Wildwood Grove. (Vekoma 453m suspended coaster) (1486 ft. in length)
Black Bear Trail— Riders hop on the back of these friendly bears for a spirited trek through their natural habitat. (Metallbau Emmeln Pony Trek)\Great Tree Swing— Guests aboard this thrilling “leaf boat” swing back and forth just like a leaf falling from a giant sycamore tree. (Zamperla Galleon)
Treetop Tower— This family tower gives guests a sky-high view of Wildwood Grove as they soar nearly 40 feet in the air. Riders, seated inside giant acorns, spin around the top of a tall oak tree before gently drifting back to the grove floor. (Zamperla Samba Tower)
The Mad Mockingbird— Tennessee’s state bird—the mockingbird—gives visitors a lift as it flies in a high speed circle around a tall tree. Riders control their ride experience by moving a sail as the birds rush above the ground. (Larson Flying Scooter)
Frogs & Fireflies— Adventurous guests can hop aboard one of these friendly frogs as they chase each other in a spirited race around the lily pad. (Zamperla Jump Around)
Hidden Hollow- This 4,000 sq. ft., climate-controlled area allows families to explore and play in an indoor environment.
Wildwood Creek features pop jets, splashing pools and more wet play activities, while the dry play area at Wildwood Creek features “music instruments” for guests to enjoy.
Three new costume characters call Wildwood Grove home. Flit and Flutter serve as Wildwood Grove’s ambassadors and Benjamin Bear loves to make new friends. Characters will have scheduled opportunities to meet guests each day.

Wildwood Grove&#8217;s design is perfection when it comes to a mix of rides that cater for a variety of ages. It&#8217;s not huge, but you&#8217;ll be doing some walking. I opted for Jenna&#8217;s footwear choice as opposed to Dolly&#8217;s. You do what you need to do.
For more information about Wildwood Grove or Dollywood’s 2019 season, please visit Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
About The Dollywood Company: A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of more than 35 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 26 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and has been named a top three US theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open nine months a year (mid-March through early January) and offers rides and attractions, shows, and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and TripAdvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks and named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, which received the 2017 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, provides guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, call 1-800-Dollywood or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Question 10

Beaufort Hotel NC - Tasty New Waterfront Accomodations

Accepted Answer

&#8220;Beaufort needed this.&#8221; That&#8217;s what most people said when I told them I was staying at the brand spankin&#8217; new Beaufort Hotel NC (https://www.beauforthotelnc.com). There are quite a few lovely B&B&#8217;s and Inns in Beaufort, but nothing with the room or meeting capacity of Beaufort Hotel NC. They&#8217;re pretty proud, and rightly so, of the fact that they qualified to become an Ascend Hotel Collection Member.

&#8220;The Ascend Hotel Collection® [is] a network of historic, boutique and unique hotels that offer guests an authentic, local experience. Member hotels share a passion for delivering attentive service to guests seeking a more experiential, individualized travel experience that gives them a sense of local flavor.&#8221;

Fishing, the sea, and boats play a big part in room decor and property design & layout. Check out the lights that look like glass floats. I put the branded robe on the bed. They&#8217;re normally two hanging in the closet along with two pairs of slippers.
And if you follow my adventures on Facebook, you&#8217;ll remember I said I&#8217;d found the ship&#8217;s Brig in the bathroom. 🙂

Loved the nice touches like upgraded linens, branded premium bedding, two free water bottles in the mini fridge, free breakfast, and . . .

Tommy Bahama Hotel Amenity Collection eco-friendly soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizer products in the spacious bath room.

The property sits right on the banks of Taylor Creek, across from Carrot Island, Horse Island, and the Rachel Carson Reserve. If you&#8217;re lucky, you&#8217;ll see some of the wild horses that live on the islands.
A covered 1,100 square foot Pavilion sits water-side along with a fire pit. Notice the walking bridge? Can&#8217;t you just imagine the bride and groom walking over that bridge from the main building to their reception?

Most of the 133 rooms and suites are in the building I stayed in. It&#8217;s a separate building, adjacent to the &#8220;main&#8221; building. Limited lodging options in the main building include what promises to be a lovely one bedroom suite and three singles.
In addition to those few special rooms, the main building houses the lobby, check in, a bar, kitchen, and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. It&#8217;s still under construction as of this writing, but they expect the restaurant to open in June, 2019.
By the way, there is a $15 per day Valet charge while the main building is under construction. Not sure if that will change once construction is done. I think they&#8217;re planning on adding a parking lot as soon as possible? Plan your bags, etc. accordingly. I didn&#8217;t. I packed thinking I could run out to my car whenever, to get this or that piece of gear or a jacket. It all worked out in the end, but took some on-the-fly organizing.
I was lucky enough to get an extensive private &#8220;hard hat&#8221; tour. Thanks David Cartier!

This see through fireplace separates the spacious lobby from the bar.

Overlooking the creek is the 180 seat inside, 180 seat outside 34° North Restaurant & Bar (Restaurant Facebook Page) Executive Chef Stephen Jordon is working getting the restaurant up and running and on menu development.
Finishes are going to be beautiful! I got a quick peek at the flooring that had been covered with heavy protective paper during construction.

Just look at that Haint Blue porch ceiling pictured below! Historically common in the South, some say the color keeps restless spirits away. Some say it keeps insects away. And even some others say it tricks insects in to thinking it&#8217;s the sky and they stay up there, not bothering humans relaxing on the porch.
Whatever it means, I&#8217;ve always thought traditional light blue porch ceilings like this were romantic and beautiful.

The following shot was taken from the nearest concrete pad that will become a patio for the one bedroom suite. The other pads will also become patios for the three single rooms. These rooms overlook the creek, the restaurant area on the first floor, and the Rachel Carson Ballroom on the second.

&#8220;Divisible into four sections, the Rachel Carson Ballroom is the premier meeting space in Carteret County with 4,378 square feet of function space. It accommodates 400 people for a seated dinner or standup receptions for 500. This stylish ballroom can host business meetings with 228 attendees in a classroom-style setting and 480 theatre style.&#8221;

And that restaurant and those meeting spaces also happen to be practical for boaters! Just sail in, moor and head in for dinner, to meet friends at the bar, or attend that event.
Enjoy a little wine with your meal? A curated wine collection of 500 bottles will be available in the restaurant for your enjoyment.
Entrepreneurs Bucky and Wendi Oliver (follow link and scroll down) are the owners of the Beaufort Hotel NC, as well as other business enterprises in the area. Watch for more development in this part of Beaufort (and maybe beyond?) from this power couple.
Beaufort Hotel NC has been &#8220;tested&#8221; by Carolina Epicurean (me) during a three night stay as a guest of the hotel owners, and is wholeheartedly approved! In fact, I can&#8217;t wait to see the main building and restaurant when construction is completed and they&#8217;re up and running.
Beaufort Hotel NC, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
https://www.beauforthotelnc.com/
2440 Lennoxville Rd
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-3000

Question 11

Foodies Guide to traveling the Sea to Sky Highway Vancouver to Whistler

Accepted Answer

We spent time in Whistler this past summer after driving there from Vancouver, BC. The drive was beautiful and full of interesting sights. And it was fascinating to see what a top ski resort can become in the off season. Shops and restaurants are still humming. The lifts are running, but are full of geared up mountain bikers and their bikes hitching a ride up to the top for the ride down on trails.
Image: Carolina Epicurean, LLC
Whistler Village, a 2010 Olympic facility, felt like a party town perpetually full of vacationers. Translation &#8211; fun! There was so much to do. So many tours available, activities, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and stores. Lots of languages floated within my hearing as we walked daily.
If you haven&#8217;t seen mineral-heavy glacial water, summer in Whistler is a good opportunity. During warmer months, iridescent blue-green glacial water with its origins at Fitzsimmons Glacier runs through the Village.
Image: Carolina Epicurean, LLC
Recently the stars aligned and Whistler-based freelance writer, Rachael Hopwood offered to write a &#8220;Foodies Guide to traveling the Sea to Sky Highway Vancouver to Whistler&#8221; article for Carolina Epicurean. Since my husband and I had so recently driven that exact route, it was a perfect fit! Use Rachael&#8217;s excellent guide if you plan on traveling to that part of the world. Or read through as a virtual vacationer.
Guest Article by Rachael Hopwood
Ah, Whistler. One of the world’s leading ski resorts and the epitome of a Canadian winter wonderland. While winter in Whistler is truly awesome, the fun doesn’t stop when the snow melts and the months of summer roll around. Whistler is a summer paradise and has become a real foodie destination over the last decade or so. Fresh, local ingredients are transformed into casual and fine dining creations by world-class chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
If you’re heading to Whistler this summer, you’ll likely arrive via the famous Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver. To get you there in style &#8211; and with a full stomach, we’ve created an epic foodie road trip perfect for those long days of adventure.
Image: Galileo Coffee Company
But first, Coffee
Perhaps you got an early flight into Vancouver and can’t stop yawning or just need a coffee to perk you up. Either way, your first stop at the Galileo Coffee Company is the ideal place to enjoy a delicious latte or frothy cappuccino. Located in Britannia Beach, watch on as a team of baristas delicately create artistic and delicious caffeine creations. The stunning views of the Howe Sound are sure to give any flat white a lift!
Breakfast in Squamish
Next stop along the highway is Squamish, where world-class brunch is essential to fuel the many outdoor adventures on offer. The Zephyr Cafe is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, and their healthy menu selection is brimming with vegan and gluten-free dishes. If you’re feeling super healthy, try the homemade almond cranberry granola with lemon maple yogurt and blueberries. Alternatively, go all in with the “standing rock” &#8211; 2 local free-range eggs, grilled veggies, goat’s cheese, and spinach with the option to add bacon for extra sustenance.
Another hugely popular choice with the locals is the WaterShed Grill, and its location on the banks of the Squamish River offers breakfast with a view. The French toast and eggs benedict come highly recommended.
Lunch in Function Junction
The journey from Squamish to Whistler offers up some of the best views in the country, but be sure not to miss Function Junction along the way. This former industrial area has transformed into one of the coolest neighborhoods to hang out and is home to a whole host of independent local businesses, cafes, and restaurants.
Functional Pie is the place to indulge in New York inspired pan pizzas handcrafted from the freshest ingredients. “The Butcher” is a meat lover’s dream, piled high with four types of authentic Italian sausage. The “Train Wreck” &#8211; inspired by the local landmark with the same name &#8211; is loaded with capocollo, pepperoni, mushroom, and pecorino and is also on the shortlist.
Image: Functional Pie
The craft beer scene around Whistler has been a revelation and Whistler Brewing is a great place to sample superb local beers. Their food menu is worth checking out too, with the dish “Nachos as Big as Your Face” needing no explanation! Their German-style Pretzel is ideal as a quick snack or try the Brewer’s Beef Dip for a rich, hearty lunch.
While you’re there…
Work off a hefty lunch at Forged Axe Throwing, where you’ll be able to try your hand at a pastime as old as the lumberjack himself. Compete against friends as you hurl hatchets at a target with the goal of sinking a satisfying (and sometimes elusive) bullseye. You’ll enjoy a friendly welcome and expert instruction to get your throwing up to speed &#8211; even if you’ve never picked up an axe before. It’s not hard to see why this activity is rated as one of the best things to do in Whistler.
Image: Rachael Hopwood
Dinner in Whistler
After all that axe throwing it’s time to move onto the serious stuff &#8211; dinner. This is where Whistler truly comes into its own with an array of tasty dinner options right across the village.
Here’s our top three:
Image: Il Caminetto
Il Caminetto
The best of Italian cuisine in the heart of Canada. Il Caminetto blends local flavors from seasonal ingredients with traditional Italian style, pairing exquisite dishes with a sumptuous wine menu. While the food menu changes with each season, their fresh pasta comes highly recommended at any time of year.
Araxi
No list of Whistler restaurants would be complete without mention of Araxi. Named the Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Whistler for eight years, this seafood specialist offers up the freshest and most delicious oysters you could hope to try. Follow up with Diver Caught Scallops or a Pepper Crusted Venison Loin.
Image: Araxi
Basalt
Artisan and locally-focused, Basalt Wine and Salumeria is another solid option for dinner in Whistler. Their cheese and charcuterie menu is satisfying in itself and the locally inspired “The Stroll” consists of a large board brimming with unique and favored selections chosen by their team. The menu changes seasonally but the fish dishes are recommended at any time.
Image: Basalt Wine and Salumeria
After-Dinner Cocktail
You’ll find the Mallard Lounge inside the spectacular Fairmont Chateau, and this is the ideal place to enjoy a post-dinner cocktail. Classy yet relaxed, and refined without being stuffy, the bar is home to some of Whistler’s best mixologists &#8211; their martinis are famous around town.
Image: The Mallard Lounge at the Fairmont Chateau
Head out on a night walk…
Legend has it there was a long-lost trail hidden away between trees and leading to a secret valley where stardust falls from the sky. If you’ve enjoyed one too many martinis, you might see this stardust without heading on a walk. If not, head out on the Vallea Lumina Night Tour, presented by Moment Factory and The Adventure Group. This spectacular expedition takes you on a journey retracing the footsteps of two bold travelers who uncovered the secret wonders of the woods. The illuminated creations are a sight to behold and a must-see this summer.
Image: MomentFactory
Other essential summer activities…
Hiking: Whistler is a hiker’s paradise, and you’ll find a labyrinth of hike trails varying in difficulty. Whether you opt for a rugged mountain trail or gradual valley walk, it’s advisable to opt for a Whistler guided hike to stay safe and enjoy all that this region has to offer.
Image: Tourism Whistler
Head out on an RZR Tour: For those seeking a faster paced afternoon of sightseeing, try The Adventure Group’s RZR Tours. Put on a helmet, fasten your seatbelt and hurtle through the legendary Whistler backcountry behind the wheel of a 2-seat or 4-seat RZR. Photographers will capture the fun along the way so you can purchase your pics later on.
Image: The Adventure Group
Soar across the Valley: Ziplining has become an essential Whistler activity, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. There are loads of different options available including the monstrous 2 km Sasquatch zipline in the summer. You’ll probably want to take a deep breath as you step off the edge and the Superfly team will be there to keep you safe and help you enjoy this bucket list activity.
Image: Superfly Ziplines
Get your yoga on: Yoga is a hugely popular activity in Whistler throughout the year, but particularly during the summer months. The resort hosts the annual Wanderlust Festival in August and there’s a whole host of places to get your yoga on. Wanderlust 2019 is all about wellness, bringing together instructors, speakers and influential figures from around the world to celebrate yoga, meditation, and the outdoors. Top musical acts and DJs provide the soundtrack, while top chefs serve up healthy and delicious culinary treats.
Image: Tourism Whistler

Question 12

$28 Million Pirates Voyage Project set to complete this May

Accepted Answer

Dolly Parton is making good on staking her claim in Pigeon Forge with the construction of the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, her newest attraction in the Smokies, and the treasure – buried and otherwise – already has begun to arrive and take shape at the venue.
Epicurean Note: see how much fun I had at Dolly Parton&#8217;s Myrtle Beach Pirates Voyage when I went as a member of a visiting media group: https://carolinaepicurean.com/2018/11/spend-the-holidays-with-pirates/
When Dolly Parton opens her new Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Pigeon Forge later this spring, the fun and adventure starts when guests first arrive at the entertainment attraction. The elaborate exterior of the building gives people just a small glimpse of the excitement that awaits during the show, which includes magnificent pirate costuming and special effects. Visitors will walk underneath a waterfall on their way to pick up their tickets to begin their Pirates Voyage.
Construction on the Pirates Voyage building, located on the Parkway adjacent to The Island in Pigeon Forge, began the first week in January. The first – and biggest – task was to “build” the lagoon, the centerpiece of the set that will house the two pirate ships where the action of the entire show takes place. The digging of that foundation required removing more than 281 loads of dirt via dump truck for more than a month (that’s 4,500 cubic yards or 7,500 tons of dirt!); that part of the project was completed on Feb. 22. That 15-foot lagoon soon will hold 300,000 gallons of water. The installation and finishing of 600 cubic yards of concrete and 50,000 lbs. of steel in the 30,000 square foot arena began the week of Feb. 25.
An extensive nationwide talent search began as soon as this entertainment project was announced last fall, and the cast of 20 has already begun show rehearsals and intense training for the acrobatic and diving skills required of pirates and mermaids alike in this show. One of the most anticipated phases of construction will happen in late March when the exterior starts to take shape and the large Pirates Voyage sign is placed outside the building.
“Among our ‘pirates crew’ here for our new Dinner & Show, we like to say that we are going ‘overboard’ with the details as we prepare everything &#8211; from the show elements to the new four-course menu to the exterior,” said Corporate Director of Marketing Steve Cruz. “This is going to be a show that guests to our Smoky Mountain area are not going to want to miss. People have been asking for details, so we thought now would be a good time to share some of those.”
Set to be complete in May, the construction phase is a $9 million project, in addition to the initial investment in the property for a total of $28 million. Reservations are now being taken for all 2019 shows; ticket information is available at piratesvoyage.com or by calling 865-505-AHOY (2469).
About World Choice Investments: Founded in 1988, World Choice Investments, LLC, doing business as Dolly Parton&#8217;s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Smoky Mountain Opry, The Comedy Barn Theater, and Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café, operates dinner show venues, theaters, and restaurants for family fun and adventure in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Our dinner shows feature special effects, musical productions, live animals and a four-course family feast.

Question 13

Spend the Holidays with Pirates!

Accepted Answer

Put some &#8220;Yo ho&#8221; in your &#8220;Ho, ho, ho!&#8221; The Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show in Myrtle Beach, SC has kicked off the holiday season by transforming their year-round production in to a Christmas pirate extravaganza!
The last time I&#8217;d been to a production like this, it was in Vegas and involved knights jousting. The Pirates Voyage is completely different. Their website (https://piratesvoyage.com/) will give you some idea of what to expect, but I&#8217;m here to say you&#8217;ll be in for a surprise or two.
Be sure to get to the show early and have your photo taken on the way to the Pirates Village. You&#8217;ll be entertained by humorous trivia questions, pirate jugglers, balancing acts, singalongs, and more. Children can be &#8220;transformed into pirates&#8221; via face painting at an additional cost. Cocktails and other festive adult beverages, soft drinks, and snacks are available for purchase.
As soon as the the pirates have &#8220;set sail&#8221;, you&#8217;ll enter the large arena and take your seats. It&#8217;s rather eye-popping and it&#8217;ll take you a little bit to absorb it all. Children, especially, will be enthralled!
 
Tiered seating is on long benches with backs and a matching table running the length of each section for easy dinner service. Wondering if a meal at a show like this is any good? The answer is, &#8220;Yes!&#8221; And it&#8217;s a big meal! Go to the website linked to above and you&#8217;ll see an accurate picture of what your meal will look like. Yes, that&#8217;s 1/2 a chicken and pulled pork.
Everything on my plate was hot and surprisingly good, except the corn on the cob was slightly overcooked. Don&#8217;t hold it against them. What they accomplish serving so many meals is not easy. Also know that the only utensil you&#8217;ll have is a fork, so consider bringing wipes.

There&#8217;s a red ship at one side of the arena and a green ship at the other. Throughout the evening, the two sides of the arena compete against each other vicariously through pirates, animals, and more.
Teams of pirates do lots of tumbling and gymnastic runs front and center throughout the evening. Don&#8217;t be surprised if one, two, or all of them end up in the water before the night&#8217;s over.
Trained Sea Lions converse with their trainer and . . .
entertain the crowd with their antics.

Children are recruited from the audience for one or two competitions, too. Really cute and the kids love it!
These two, and another beautiful red/orange, parrot fly circles around the arena. Keep an eye out for them because they just appear rather than being announced. In fact, keep your eyes open throughout the show, because things are happening to your left, right, in the water and above your head.

The battle &#8220;rages&#8221; until fire becomes involved. When it&#8217;s become just too much, an angel appears and reminds the pirates, and all of us, that the holidays should be a time of peace and understanding.

And what would a Christmas show be without three wise men riding in on camels, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus?

Buy your tickets ahead of time HERE. They also recommend purchasing any Pirates Treasure tickets for face painting ahead of time by calling 800-433-4401.
My adventure was all about the Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show, courtesy of the Dolly Parton Company, but as an added bonus, Condo-World Resort Properties arranged complimentary accommodations for all of the media folks at various Myrtle Beach properties they manage.
The Hubs and I were thrilled with our stay at South Bay Inn and Suites! Brand new construction, opening just this past July, it&#8217;s &#8220;Myrtle Beach&#8217;s newest resort, located along the famed boardwalk.&#8221; Take a look at the website (linked above), being sure not to miss the video on the Home Page. It gives you a resort overview, including the terrific water park (great for kids!), pools, and hot tubs on property between the hotel and the beach.
Our one bedroom suite on the eleventh floor was lovely! And oh, that view from the balcony! The kitchen had a good-sized fridge, microwave, and was stocked with tableware, flatware, pots, pans, and general cooking tools. Be aware that the bedroom area is separated from the living room area by a half wall.
South Bay would be a good spot for groups and families with the surprisingly reasonable room rates. Make sure you check their website for specials/discounts before booking.

A robust breakfast buffet, the &#8220;South Bay Big Breakfast&#8221; is complimentary every morning of your stay. My favorite afternoon/evening spot was the ocean-view lobby bar with an awesome balcony.
Valet parking is at an additional charge, but there&#8217;s complimentary parking in a secure garage about a block away. That&#8217;s where we parked and it was a quick trip back and forth to the hotel.
Two final notes about South Bay, no matter where you park, pull up into the circular drive on North Ocean Blvd to unload your luggage. To check-in, go through the glass doors to the side of the pull-through and take the elevator to the 3rd floor lobby.
Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show
8907 N Kings Hwy
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(843) 497-9700
South Bay Inn and Suites
520 North Ocean Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(833) 585-5251

Question 14

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo

Accepted Answer

Zoos are about animals, right? While that&#8217;s true, the NC Zoo is that and so much more. I&#8217;m talking Events, Camps, VIP Tours, Zoofari, Birds in Flight (show), Rio the 4D Experience, Air Hike Ropes Course, Acacia Station Giraffe Deck, Carousel, Picnicking, Animal Feedings, Hiking Trails, and Art in the Park!
As soon as I sat down to write about the June day I spent at the NC Zoo (http://www.nczoo.org/), the largest natural habitat zoo in the world(!), Simon & Garfunkel&#8217;s song &#8220;At the Zoo&#8221; played in my head.
The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere
And the elephants are kindly but they&#8217;re dumb
Orangutans are skeptical
Of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum
Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are missionaries
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently
What a gas, you gotta come and see
At the zoo
Wait, what about ostriches? We went on Zoofari, an open bus that takes passengers on a big loop through a large natural habitat. Animals in this area are not caged, but live as they would in the wild, including Pearl, the ostrich.

It was fun watching polar bears in their habitat, including swimming by a large underwater viewing window. Even more fun was watching and listening to kids squealing, laughing, and yelling, &#8220;Here it comes! There it is! There it is!&#8221;
Another fantastic thing we saw was the Birds in Flight show. How great is it to sit in an outdoor venue watching different kinds of birds flying over the crowd and back? So impressed with their trainer!
ZOO FOOD
In addition to food carts, there are ten eateries spread throughout the zoo, making it easy to find something relatively close to wherever you are in the zoo.
We checked out two, Iron Hen Cafe Express (located in the North American Plaza) for breakfast, and lunch at the newest zoo restaurant, Billy D&#8217;s Fried Chicken (located in the Wachovia Akiba Market in Africa).
As we chowed down on eggs, muffins, bagels, grits with bacon and goat cheese, and coffee, Chef Mark Hensley sat down with us to talk about sustainability at Iron Hen, including a goal of 80% local food sourcing, recycling &#8220;everything&#8221;, composting, waste vegetable oil collected for bio fuel, and serving locally roasted, organic, fair trade coffee.

Chef Mark Hensley
I was especially looking forward to lunch at newest zoo restaurant, Billy D&#8217;s Fried Chicken! &#8220;Billy D&#8221; is Chef William Dissen, who opened his first restaurant, The Market Place, in Asheville years ago. And almost at the same time he opened Billy D&#8217;s, he opened Haymaker in Charlotte.
We had family style lunch outside at a picnic table shaded by a yellow umbrella. Even on a hot day, it was comfortable out there. The only problem was yellow tinted photos.
The food is delicious. It&#8217;s NOT fast food, but you will probably get your food quickly. Think typical extended family picnic food. Looking for a healthy snack? Pick up fresh apples and bananas. Oh, Billy D&#8217;s also has Banana Pudding, Ice Cream, and Ice Cream Floats.

The NC Zoo is so much more than what you&#8217;d expect when you think &#8220;zoo&#8221;. I can attest to that since I&#8217;ve been in the Asheboro area many times, and never thought it&#8217;d be worth taking time out to go to the zoo. So wrong. My attitude has been adjusted!
I dare you not to be impressed after taking a look at the zoo website. Definitely plan time for a zoo visit as soon as you can!
Epicurean Note:

The NC Zoo has the biggest collection of outdoor artwork in the country!

NC Zoo
4401 Zoo Pkwy
Asheboro, NC 27205
Hosted

Question 15

Dollywood's best kept secrets

Accepted Answer

Pigeon Forge, TN &#8211; Yes, Dollywood has an amazing array of rides, including a train pulled by a historic steam engine used to move troops in Alaska during WWII and the world&#8217;s fastest wooden roller coaster.
What you don&#8217;t know about Dollywood will surprise you! I spent two days exploring the Theme Park (https://www.dollywood.com/themepark), Splash Country Water Park, and the Dream More Resort and Spa as part of a tour hosted by Dollywood for a small group of food and travel writers early this month.
The tour was culinary focused, but there are non-culinary things you might like to know also. I left with hundreds of photos and a very full belly!
FOOD & DRINK
The food is definitely &#8220;Southern&#8221; in the best down-home way, with specials changing randomly or according to what festival is going on. It&#8217;s authentic and affordable. My visit happened to be during the Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival, so . . . there was grilling going on: Ribs, Pulled Pork, Sausage, ears of corn, and even watermelon! Beyond grilling, there were creative takes on a couple standards: Crossroads Funnel Cakes topped with chicken, mandarin orange sauce and powdered sugar.  And Country Cookers &#8211; Kettle Korn made in various colors and flavors.
This brings me to an interesting point about food at Dollywood. Food service employees have a certain amount of creative freedom to come up with new ideas. The Country Cookers &#8211; Kettle Korn guys were absolutely beaming about the next flavor they&#8217;d come up with. And although they&#8217;re known for their cinnamon rolls, Pastry Chef Gidget Davis at Spotlight Bakery created new savory Maple Bacon Cupcakes. Bits of bacon are in the batter and they&#8217;re topped with sweet maple icing. Whoa! And at Splash Country you can get a &#8211; new this year &#8211; Sm&#8217;Oreo Gourmet Milkshake. Double whoa!
I just noticed there&#8217;s a theme here &#8211; sweets. Never fear, there are lots of non-dessert type options, too. We had Chicken Salad with lots of fresh fruit on the plate at Granny Ogle&#8217;s Ham and Beans and a wonderful &#8220;Grilled Watermelon Salad&#8221; in Market Square.
A word on managing dietary restrictions. The Front Porch Cafe is the place to go. Meals that accommodate just about any food allergy are available there. They also have a program called &#8220;Start Fresh&#8221; that prevents cross-contamination between foods.
Two new partnerships were recently launched with Bush&#8217;s and Lodge. Bush&#8217;s sponsors Granny Ogle’s Ham &#8216;n’ Beans and Lodge sponsors Aunt Granny&#8217;s Restaurant. Lodge is behind the complete and beautiful remodel of Aunt Granny&#8217;s, including revamping the buffet approach and serving dishes. It felt more like a meal at a friends home served family style. No huge chafing dishes or buffet pans here. Just various cast iron serving pieces, including some pieces from Lodge&#8217;s stoneware line. Very nice!

SPLASH COUNTRY
The biggest tip I can give you if you&#8217;re going to Dollywood with your family or a group of 14 or less is to get a &#8220;Retreat&#8221;. They are sweet 200 sq ft covered (think shade) enclosures with a TV screen, table and chairs, a phone for service, and a 100 sq ft sun deck with lounge chairs. It&#8217;s a good place for young children to nap, with adult supervision of course, as well as a place for adults to take a break and recharge. They are a reasonable $190 for the day. Especially good if you split the cost among a couple families.
If there&#8217;s just two of you, think about renting one of the 65 sq ft &#8220;Canopies&#8221; so you can take a break from the sun. There&#8217;s also a locked storage locker that&#8217;s a great for stashing personal items when your&#8217;re both in the water. Rent for $50 for a day.
NEW this year &#8211; Rentable Luxury Loungers for two. Located in front of River Beach, they also sport a lockable storage locker and provide shade. So new, they&#8217;re not available online yet, but you can rent one of the six Loungers when you get to Splash Country. They&#8217;re $45 for the day.
Also NEW this year are Tex-Mex Tacos at Splash Country. Multiple food options are available at this easily manageable water park.
THEME PARK
I love Dolly&#8217;s music. I like country music in general, but I was concerned about having to listen to blaring music all day. Not to worry! All music played by live groups (with mics and amps) or recorded played over speakers while I was there was tastefully subtle.
Shade and easily accessible seating are plentiful. It&#8217;s especially important on warm days.
Plan a little time for checking out the many quality shops and Dolly&#8217;s museum.
We commented among ourselves that we didn&#8217;t see any crazy meltdowns by children or adults even though the weather was pretty warm. There&#8217;s this relaxed vibe throughout the park that&#8217;s hard to explain. The employees genuine friendliness and interest in helping everyone is probably a big part of it. And the layout of the park doesn&#8217;t hurt. Lots of people were enjoying the park with us, but it didn&#8217;t feel crowded due to smart design.
DREAMMORE RESORT AND SPA
DreamMore Resort has been open for three years now. It&#8217;s beautiful and very well done. Family-friendly with a comfortable layout and a ton of amenities and special touches for guests:

If you have Theme Park tickets, skip the ride lines with a complimentary TimeSaver pass.
Items you purchase at the park will be delivered to your room so you don&#8217;t have to schlep them around with you all day.
Exclusive park entry &#8211; avoid the lines.
Free Resort Shuttle.
Early Saturday park entry.
Browse Resort features HERE.

The food available at the Resort eateries is notched up a bit from what you can enjoy at the parks. Everything I sampled, including the breakfast buffet at Song and Hearth was exceptionally good.
Many people won&#8217;t notice, but between the Song and Hearth deck and the pool is a Kitchen Garden planted with a nice variety herbs they pick fresh and use in food preparation as well as cocktails. Any gardener will tell you that Mint has a way of taking over, which it&#8217;s done here. There are plans in the works to re-do the garden using large planters. It should be even prettier and controlled at the same time.
If at all possible, enjoy the Salon and Spa. They feature FarmHouse Fresh products. The irony of being on a culinary tour and farm-related spa products wasn&#8217;t wasted on me. I wasn&#8217;t a believer, but am now. Lean in, I&#8217;m going to tell you something personal. I had my usual Summertime dry skin on the heels of my feet. After my pedicure, including a foot massage using the Honey Heel Glaze ($26) FarmHouse Fresh product, my heels showed no indication of dry skin for at least a full week! Now that I check, they still look good weeks later. That&#8217;s really unusual for me. Most products wear off after a few hours or a day, if I&#8217;m lucky. And this is not a paid endorsement.

I found Dollywood to be refreshingly, unapologeticly all about Dolly Parton. Sweet and welcoming, butterflies and positive never-give-up messages, without being sappy in the least. I think you&#8217;ll agree.

You have GOT TO GO! You won&#8217;t believe the quality of the food, the amenities, the extent they&#8217;ve gone to making the Theme Park, Water Park, and DreamMore Resort family friendly, and the overall value.
Be sure to check out Camp DW at the DreamMore Resort, if you&#8217;re staying there. They have a lot of activities for kids and adults every day. Some are free. Some are for an additional cost. Bedtime stories, arts & crafts, live music, and more.
Dollywood was awarded a whopping Four Golden Ticket Awards, the so-called Oscars of the Industry, this year alone by Amusement Today, the amusement industry’s go-to publication for the news within the industry.
Many employees are area folks that have retired from their careers. They love working at Dollywood and come back year after year.
Dollywood is a few years away from completing a $300 million expansion. It&#8217;s not your Memaws Dollywood.
Download the Dollywood Park App (App Store or Google Play) for maps and ride wait times. It definitely comes in handy!

Dollywood (https://www.dollywood.com/)
2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Category: Wanderlust

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