I've lived a good number of places in my lifetime and visited a good deal more. But, having grown up in the Deep South, I've developed a certain appreciation for the kind of charm you don't find anywhere else. The words 'y'all', 'yonder' and 'reckon' are staples in my vocabulary just as sweet tea (pronounced swa-weet TAY) is for mealtimes. Just in case you're curious, sweet tea, the nectar of south, is tea with the sugar added right after it's brewed, then allowed to cool and poured over ice. A person get used to these things, same as they do coffee with breakfast, face melting summer heat and camouflage Christmas trees. (Ok, so I haven't really seen one of those.... yet.)

You come to appreciate the simple pleasures of life in the South, which is one of the reasons Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is so appealing. It personifies everything quaint and charming about our chunk of the country, without the duct tape. (In Georgia, we call duct tape Alabama Chrome - don't tell AL that, though). Some of the most beautiful scenery a person could ever hope to lay eyes on awaits the unsuspecting traveler near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Smokey Mountains earned their name from the enchanting haze that hangs over the rolling peaks, veiling the mountains in a lovely blanket. It's really clouds, y'all. How neat is that? ButI can't tell you exactly how Pigeon Forge was named, although I can assure you it has nothin' what so ever to do with metal birds.

Now, That's What I Call Country Music

Don't run if you hear banjo music! It's not Ned Batey in Deliverance, it's just the local flavor. In fact, a person can experience all kinds of music while visiting Pigeon Forge, TN. It goes hand in hand with some amazing food, in most cases.

You've got the Black Bear Jamboree, with more food than you can shake a stick at, and a musical show guaranteed to get you clapping and stomping your feet. I always wondered why those silly old bears needed to hibernate; if I danced and ate like that I'd sleep too!

The Country Tonite show was voted the best music show in Pigeon Forge and kids get in free. Hard to beat a deal like that for family entertainment, and with Bubba The Redneck Ranger, who can go wrong? There's the Hoot n' Holler Dinner show, The Comedy Barn Theatre, Fiddler's Feast Tennessee Shindig (that's a party), and The Murder Mystery Dinner Show to name a few other hot spots in Pigeon Forge.

And although quite a bit of the Southern tale is told around a table, eating and music aren't the only things to do. You have Dollywood, of course! It's a combination of Dolly Parton and Hollywood, which makes for one wild amusement park, lemme tell ya. Of course, Dollywood has classic amusement rides, fair games and craft demonstrations, but there's music and eating too! You can't go wrong with a trip to Dollywood.

Smokey Mountain High 

For the outdoor types, the Pigeon Forge area and Smokey Mountain National Park has a variety of hiking trails and adrenaline rushes for even the most discriminating nature lover. With everything from waterfalls to underground caverns, something's sure to tickle your fancy.

After all that fun, you gotta have a place to sleep. A person can chose between roughing it in a rustic cabin (it's not that rough, though. They all have indoor plumbing!) or if that's not your style, you can chose one of the luxury cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge and live large thata-way.

All in all, it's worth the trip through the Smokies to see Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - relax and experience life, Southern Style! (You can bring the duct tape, just in case. Ya never know.)

This folk tale of adventures in Pigeon Forge was contributed by Phoebe Howell.