Alpine Slide Thrill at Ober Gatlinburg

The Smoky Mountains activities remind me of different places.  While anticipating the aerial tramway ride, I reflected upon my ride experience in Tahoe.  When I told my family about the alpine slide ride, I explained that I rode one in Austria.  When I described a Zorb ride, I reminded them that a cousin rolled in one in Rotorua, New Zealand.  Connecting everything to some exotic place then became a joke as my husband smirked "oh, yes, I did that in Switerland" to every activity.

You don't need to fly over the ocean to try out these new adventures.  Just drive to the Smoky Mountains.  At Ober Gatlinburg, you can ride the alpine slide down the mountain on a wheeled cart.  It's a blast!  This was the most fun ride at the park.  As you ascend the mountain on your chairlift, you can watch riders go down screaming and laughing with joy.  Jump off the chairlift and get in your own cart.  As an employee explained physics - weight and gravity help.  If you are racing down the track with your competitive son, you finally have the advantage (-:

The Facts

WHO: big kids & adults; 6 & under ride free with adult (due to chairlift with no seat belt, I wouldn't recommend this for little kids)

WHAT:  two 1,800 foot concerte slides

WHERE - Ober Gatlinburg, take the ariel tramway (see my story)

how much - $7 ticket or buy an all day Ober Gatlinburg package

Alpine slides also exist in Chamonix, France or Thredbo, Australia.  Zorb is also available in Guam and coming soon to Jamaica.  Why not just take a road trip to Gatlinburg, TN and create your own adventure story?!?

Up, Up, & Away - Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

"Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey."  You hear sayings about the journey being as great as the destination - this is often true in the Smoky Mountains, whether driving on scenic two lane roads or finding unique transportation up and down the mountains.  Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is a prime example of the journey being a joy.  We considered driving up to Mt. Harrison to get to our destination - Ober Gatlinburg.  Glad we took the aerial tramway instead.  Not only did we about the drive up Mt. Harrison as precarious, we also discovered the kids had a blast on our journey to the destination. 

Facts

- one of America's largest tramways holding 120 people

- according to our guide, it's the newest US tramway built in 2007

- takes you to an elevation of 2,700 ft. in 10 minutes, moving 23 mph

- leaves every 20 minutes, $11 adult ticket, $8.50 age 7-11

Prior to 1972, skiers had no choice but to take the steep winding road.  In 1973 a tramway was intalled and the new car was installed in 2007.  Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway has taken over 18 million passengers.

Save the gas & stress of driving up the mountain, park in Gatlinburg and enjoy the scenic ride.  Plus, may you have a jolly, joyful guide like ours that pointed out unique buildings below and added fun jokes about chalets and Ken & Barbie. 

Tips:  Get in line near opening and closing for less crowded cars, so you have a better chance of a window view.  Call ahead to find out whether the company is offering the buy one day, get next day free (tramway, not Ober Gatlinburg amusement pass - these are separate fees) - it could give you an opportunity to ride multiple times.

Relationship Idea #4: Project Time in Gatlinburg

This is the fourth article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge is a place for you to strengthen relationships and gain new perspective.

Idea:  Chapter "Taken to Task" encourages you to find a common project, "Projects perk up partnerships...Making log furniture is just one joint project that can bring back the buzz.  Projects area a vital cog in the relationship re-energizing maching:  building a bed, painting a children's ward, making a mosaic mural..."

Plan:  Why not discover a new hobby in the Smoky Mountains?  A great start to the journey could be gaining inspiration by visiting the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community.  Buy a painting, stained glass art, or pottery piece.  Place your art on your mantle as inspiration and make a pact to learn the trade. 

We visited the Alewine Pottery studio where we watched pottery transform from clay to vase.  After being in awe of the talent, I really enjoyed buying a handmade piece of pottery with beautiful deep violet, blue, and beige colors swirled.  When I glance at the piece in my home, it brings back memories.  http://www.alewinepottery.net/ttgallery.aspx

Action:  Perhaps you are ready now for a hands on project and don't want to wait to go home to learn.  Why not take a class together in the Smokies?  The Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts offers weekend and one week classes.  Learn painting, photography, jewelry, chair making, and much more.  Visit their website for class schedule and pricing: 
http://www.arrowmont.org/register

Relationship Idea #3: Mountain Music in Gatlinburg

This is the third article in a series of ideas on how to take the advice from book Re-Energize Your Relationship by Sabina Dosani, MD, and Peter Cross to building your relationship while vacationing in the Smoky Mountains.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge is a place for you to strengthen relationships and gain new perspective.

The chapter "Music, the food of love" promotes enjoying music as a couple, "For the definite turn-on, turn on some music.  Shakespeare called it the food of love...Mozart, Motown, or Madonna:  so much magnificent music to push your partner's buttons.  Isn't it time you put aside the familiar and experimented with something new?..."

Idea:  How about experimenting with mountain music?  Engage all your senses; listen for local bands playing near the stores in Gatlinburg downtown, Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, & Pigeon Forge.  No charge.  Just join the fun.  Outside the Ole Smoky Moonshine store in downtown Gatlinburg, we relaxed in rocking chairs and enjoyed the music of Monroeville.  Six talented musicians had us rocking - Daniel Salyer, Matt Flake, Travis Houck, Matthew Munsey, Seth Taylor, and Zane Petty.  Plus this concert gave us a great opportunity to support the local artists and take home a souvenir.  When you buy the cd, you relive the memories through your ears.

Relationship Idea #2: Hiking to Listen

This is the second article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge is a place for you to strengthen relationships and gain new perspective.

Idea:  Chapter "A walk on the Wild Side" encourages couples to escape the house and reconnect through walking, "Walking is wonderful.  Need to clear your head of clutter and put problems into perspective?  Take a hike."  Get outdoors and listen to your loved ones.

Action:  Walking around the neighborhood is start.  Kick it up a notch by adding a new view.  How about hiking in the Smokies?

Plan:  Two hikes rumored to be relatively secluded in Townsend, TN (the quiet side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

1.  Indian Hills Falls trail

The stats:  8-11 miles out & back, 5.5 hours, easy/moderate, rated 5/5 stars by hikers

Where:  Park at Institue at Tremont visitor center, take the Middle Prong Trail

What's neat:  old railroad bed, logging community artifacts, Panther Falls

Tip:  Go left at 4 miles (the trail takes you in that direction, but there's no sign)

2.  Spruce Flats Falls & Chestnut Top Wildflowers trail

The stats:  2 miles out & back, difficult, 1,400 ft. to 1,700, rated 5/5 stars by hikers

Where:  Park at Tremont visitor center, take Lumber Ridget Trail to Buckeye to Falls

Tip:  dropoffs, narrow, and rocky, but at the end rewarded with a waterfall

Relationship Idea #1: Relax & Re-Learn Letter Writing in the Smokies

This is the first article on a series of ideas leveraging tips from the book Re-Energize Your Relationship and applying them to vacation ideas in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge (LBL) is a place for you to build relationships and gain a new perspective.

"Read Em' and Weep" Chapter 1 Idea:  This chapter explains the beauty of a handwritten letter and how texting is a poor substitute.  On a vacation with fewer distractions than normal, take time to express your feelings in writing.  The book suggests surprising a special someone, "Write a letter to the woman or man in your life and leave it for them when they come back from work or the store.  Hide love notes in his suit pocket.  Tuck them under her pillow or pop them in her pocketbook." 

Take Action:  When you are at Lightning Bug Lodge, you are so high up the mountain, your texting likely won't work.  What a great opportunity to re-learn the art of letter writing.  I've provided stationary at the cabin to make it easy for you - just bring your thoughts.

Special Offer:  For those not staying in the cabin tonight, I've made custom LBL note cards.  I'll send a set free to the first 3 people to respond to me with their address.  Follow "Meet the owner" link (upper right column) to find my contact info.