We had a great day today. We started with a continental breakfast at the Downtown Inn and then headed to the Biltmore Estate. $59 each admission, so we watched the 4 minute looping video in the visitors center, used the restroom, and vowed to Google it later. We grabbed some sandwich supplies at the local HiLo and drove the scenic route into Smoky Mountain National Park. It is really an amazing drive. C was glad to have the turbo engine 😉 We hiked the steep path to the highest point, Clingman Dome, and saw 3 bears in the span of 20 mins! We saved our hiking energy for a trail lower down, checking out a natural arch along the stream. Ah – erosion. We continued our decent to Gatlinburg, stopping for a flight of microbrews and a really delicious burger. We decided to stay in Pigeon Forge because it’s notably cheaper. But the first room we checked had mice living in the bathroom walls (seriously – C heard them too!) so we splurged above the $50 mark. Now we’re safe and cozy at the Riverside Motor Lodge. Free wifi and all the scenery you can handle.