Day 2 – I would drive 100 miles...

Narration Here
Today was 100 miles of continuous Mountain Roads. From Black Mountain, NC to Pigeon Forge, TN. No less than 40% of the road was under construction the other 60% had several spots, always on a mountain curve, that blew the front tires due to potholes deep enough to sink the TOAD. Interestingly enough once the Tennessee border was crosses the road became smoother and gas prices dropped dramatically, diesel prices were $.50 a gallon less. One would think that some of that North Carolina gas tax could be spent on road repair! Oh wait the gas tax is used for specific political party pork belly projects. Which party is in control of NC legislature? Got to love it!

Soon after entering Tennessee, Theresa spotted a sign declaring the road was named after Albert Arnold Gore Sr., who was a senator from Tennessee. We all may recall that his son, Vice president, Al Gore, was the self proclaimed creator of the Internet. This historically named road twisted and descended the west side of the Great Smoky Mountains with rapid switchbacks as if it was a snake attacking a cheetah. Theresa hung on for dear life as Kevin skillfully managed the engine break, calculating the proper time to engage and disengage it while threading the construction barricades. Gradually the terrain changed to more oscillating hills and the tension at the helm eased. Command Central then lowered the threat to defcon 3.

Expectations of Pigeon Forge were of a quaint rural country town. What was observed was a continuous stream of state fair carnival rides, games for kids and buffet eating establishments lining both sides of an ever-congested main drag thru the highly commercial Vegas want-a-be vacation mecca. The Smitanic took an hour to navigated the 10 mile stretch of State Fair Grounds traffic, parking lots and attractions known as Pigeon Forge.

One saving grace of the day was the campground that was recommended by Alfredo!. The location is along the Pigeon River, and the Smitanic was able to dock next to the water. Jacks were dropped, water and sewer connected, Cable TV and 50 amps plugged in. Kevin kept checking the switch-over to the campsite electrical service. 

Time passed and the systems on board the Smitanic were not responding to shore power. Upon further review Kevin noticed that the 50 amp surge protector was only registering line 1 and not line 2. With 50 amp there should be two lines of power to the surge protector. After debugging the campsite electrical issues the team reported their findings to the front office. The office dispatched someone who confirmed the diagnosis and replaced the 50 amp circuit breaker. All systems came online.

In need of some supplies, a trip to the grocery store was emanate. It was around 4:30pm, an with every other vacationer under a similar mission, it was crash cart bumper cars in the isles. Kevin and Theresa skillfully navigated the cart to retrieve all items on the list.

Dinner of chicken wraps were prepared and put on the grill which allowed for time to gaze at a family navigating the water in tubes floating down the river.

The TV was turned on after dinner to discover that no stations were being received. Back to the office to request someone to have a look! After several attempts.... there is still no cable TV. No great loss.

Tomorrow's plans are focused around Theresa's 61st birthday. The plan is to hike Rainbow Falls which will result in a 6.1 mile arduous hike to celebrate the birthday. Followed by 6,100 happy Birth Day wishes from her Face Book Friends. Do not disappoint her folks!