Welcome back to YNN blog. I'm in the middle of sharing the stories and pictures of my Fall Break get away to the Smoky Mountains with my wife and the younger half of our family.
This 2nd in my post series shares the experience of visiting a Gatlinburg attraction that made national news earlier in the year. Its a long one and I hope you enjoy it.
On the morning of the first Sunday in October, my wife and I awoke to this view of the sun rising over the Smokies from the veranda outside our condo in the Whispering Pines resort in Pigeon Forge, TN.
This was the 2nd day of our trip. By mid morning it was decided that our group was going to go conquer one of the most unique things the Smokies has to offer "The Skybridge" in Gatlinburg.
If you haven't heard of this attraction it's the longest suspension bridge in North America. It's at the top of Crockett Mountain and the latest addition to Sky Lift park. Which is accessible from the Gatlinburg Parkway via chair lift.
The bridge has been on my "to do" list since it opened this past May. Unfortunately both the chair lift and the bridge are also on my wife's "no way" list.
This meant that I would meet Brandi, James, the grandkids and the rest of their gang on the Parkway and my wife would enjoy a few nice relaxing hours at our condo. She needed a chance to relax for a while anyway. She's had a very busy couple of months.
Route 321 from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, known as "The Spur" is one of my favorite stretches to drive, anywhere.
There are hairpin turns and at times it seems like you are in a remote area of the mountains instead of the main artery between the two towns.
Due to slow bumper to bumper traffic as soon as I got into Gatlinburg, what should have been a 20 minute trip turned into 45. But I did eventually meet up with my family at 765 Parkway.
Soon we were on the yellow chair on our way to Sky Lift Park.
I was in a chair with Brandi. Aria was in the one in front of us with James. At first, she was really scared about the ride didn't want to go. But James promised her she could ride with him. For the first half of the ride up, she was basically clinging to her daddy. Eventually, she relaxed and seemed to enjoy the experience.
Gabriel rode with his Aunt Misty.
Brandi's grandmother and niece, Lexi, rode with each other as well.
The views on the way up were wonderful.
But they only hinted at what we would see once we got to Sky Lift Park.
There are 3 levels for you to enjoy the views. The first has a 2 story welcome center which can be accessed from either of the first 2 levels. It has a souvenir store and refreshment counter.
There is a covered area with seating to sit and enjoy the view. There's also a section of amphitheater type seating cascading down the side of the hill allowing you to sit and enjoy the view of downtown Gatlinburg and the mountains in the background.
There's plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views on all 3 levels.
While I did take quite a few pictures, what I shot doesn't give you a complete picture of what it's like. Here's a link to a website that does. Sky Lift Park Pictures
From the middle level you could see your goal and decide whether or not you are going to continue on your quest. This view helps you make that decision.
From the top level the view of the mountains was even better.
Once we were on the 3rd level it was time to take on the big challenge. The walk across the Sky Bridge.
Because I walk slow under normal circumstances and planned on taking my time to take pictures, I was the last of our group to head out onto the bridge.
The views from the bridge are amazing.
As you will see in the pictures, with it being a Sunday, the park was pretty busy, especially on the bridge. There was a park employee standing in the middle of it to answer any questions, assist anyone needing help, and make sure traffic kept moving.
There was a breeze on the bridge was but it wasn't that much. But it did it's best to make the structure sway; a lot more than I thought it would. I had to hang onto the rail to keep my balance. This made it a bit difficult to take pictures.
At the middle of the bridge were 4 clear glass panels.
Now the ground is only 150 feet below the clear panels but the idea that you are in the middle of a 700 foot span looking out at views like this.
messes with you mind a little bit. But after a bit of hesitation...
...I walked across.
When I made to the other side I looked back at what I had just done.
Aria was proud of what she had done as well.
I had her make a video to tell her Nana what she had done. I sent it to Paula in a text.
Here's me and my gang on the other side of the bridge.
The portion of the park that was on the far side of the bridge had a refreshment stand and places to sit and enjoy the views.
Soon, James and Gabriel along with the rest of our group headed back.
I stayed to take some pictures and make a video. I shot videos throughout my time on the mountain. I will be editing them together and posting them on my You Tube channel later on. I will share a link when I do.
Here's the view I just couldn't seem to get enough of.
I lingered a little longer than I thought I would and soon realized that my family might be worried about me. So I headed back.
This time across I stopped in the middle to take some pictures. I figured that I was a bit used to the sway and could stand in the middle with no problem. But that was not to be.
Now due to my drop foot issue on my left side, at times, I have balance issues when standing level ground. Trying to keep upright and take pictures on a gently swaying suspension bridge was nearly impossible. It reminded me a lot of the "shaky bridge" I used to walk on as a kid in the Bushkill Park fun house.
I tried to balance myself to get the pics and videos I wanted but I didn't want to risk falling flat on my face in the middle of the bridge. I gave up and just held onto the railing and enjoyed the view.
I must add that if you are the "average" person and generally have good balance you should have no problem standing alone in the middle of the bridge.
Back on the other side of the bridge, Brandi took this shot of me on my return trip. That's me in the red circle.
When I finally made it back to the other side I found my family in the welcome center eating a snack. I had a drink and a soft pretzel.
I pressed a couple of pennies for souvenirs.
Soon it was time to climb back on the chair lift and head back down.
This time I rode by myself with Brandi's grandmother in front of me.
James rode down with both of his children.
The views of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains on the way down was the one final treats this excursion had to offer.
After our time at the Sky Bridge Brandi's sister, Misty, and her family had to leave for home.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with James & Brandi, the kids, and Margaret (aka "Grandma").
We ate lunch at the Old Mill restaurant. I think it was the first time we have ever had anything other than breakfast there.The food was good and our server who had a polish accent, was gave us wonderful service.
After lunch, we then headed back to The Island to explore it a little more.
Aria was excited about getting a 2nd ride on the shuttle. She said it was her favorite part of the trip so far.
Once we got off the shuttle we ended up going in 3 different directions.
James and Aria went to the arcade to play games. Brandi kept her Grandma company in the chairs by the water fountain. My wife and I found ourselves walking around with our grandson, Gabriel.
On the way to "go potty" he noticed the a frog ride that he wanted to go on. We bought him and his sister a ride bracelet so they could have fun.
Here's a link to the video of him on his first ride. Its on my You Tube channel.
Gabriel Rides A Frog
As you can see he really loved it. But he also loved the other rides. He was tall enough to go on them but had to have an adult escort.
These were kiddie rides and a little small for his Papa to go with him. So when his mama joined us, she was his "plus 1".
I have videos of them having fun. I will put them up on my You Tube channel later.
The next couple of rides he went on I was able to go with him. The first was a special moment that I will always remember. We rode the big Ferris wheel. Here's the video link of part of our ride.
Papa & Gabriel Ride The Wheel
By the time we got off The Wheel, Aria had come joined us and go on rides. The only one she wanted to get on was the carousel.
We were lucky enough to be able to ride twice. The first time, the kids rode on the horses.
The 2nd ride we sat they sat in a clam shell carriage and I stood on the side.
Here's a video of some of our ride.
One of my wife's favorite pictures from the whole trip is this one. It shows the kids in the shell. Look close, on the left you'll see me peeking from the side.
After the carousel rides, we rejoined Brandi, James and Margaret by the fountains. We watched the top of the hour dancing fountain light show then boarded the shuttle to leave.
We said "good night" to our grandchildren in the parking lot as they headed back to their cabin.
On the way back to our condo, Paula and I stopped at one of my favorite frozen dessert place, Rita's Italian Ice.
The Pigeon Forge store, next to the office of Pink Jeep Tours on the Parkway opened in late spring.
I got my favorite flavor, root beer. Paula got sugar free cherry.
We took it back to our condo and enjoyed it as we watched the lights of the parkway on from our veranda.
And that's how we ended our 2nd day in the Smokies for Fall Break.
The next day, our kids would be heading home midday. We would spend the first half of Monday with them. We would have the rest of the day and half of Tuesday to enjoy the Smokies on our own. Details on all that in post #3 in my Fall Break Getaway series.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I will see you again next time.
Gabriel liked the candy train. 
