19 - 23 Oct 2025 (Sun-Thurs): Family Vacation at the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
It has been quite awhile since our last family vacation in 2022, so MIL planned a family trip to the Great Smoky Mountains this year. Tennessee was a good option logistically for our group of 6 as it was within a decent driving distance from Huntsville.
We departed Huntsville around 9.20am and started our 5-hours drive north to Tennessee, passing through Georgia briefly. We stopped at the rest area for our 'highway-sandwich-shop' lunch. It rained slightly on our drive but traffic was pretty smooth. We also stopped by Publix to do some grocery shopping and picked up pizza for dinner before getting to our accommodation at 4.30pm.
Our accommodation for 4 nights - Serendipity Lodge @ Walden Ridge, was a very nice 2-storey cabin in the mountains. Thanks MIL for booking this beautiful log cabin for our 5D4N stay. This modern-rustic log cabin has a huge living room with a large TV and fireplace. There are also two couches and multiple chairs which gave us plenty of options for seating.
The kitchen is fully equipped with everything needed for cooking. There's microwave, fridge, dishwasher, oven, stove, and coffee machine. The dining area had enough seating for all 6 of us. We used the kitchen to make spaghetti and meatballs.
There are 2 spacious decks on each storey with beautiful mountain views. There is plenty of outdoor seating, an outdoor gas fire pit, and a hot tub.
There are 3 king bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in the cabin. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and a bunk room attached with two twin beds. One bedroom was in the main level, while the other 2 bedrooms were on the lower level.
We took one of the bedrooms in the lower level.
The game room is at the lower level with a pool table and 2 arcade games (golf game and pacman).
The cabin had ample space for family fun. We played mahjong with MIL and board games with Cooper. 'Funty' and 'funcle' had fun with lil' Cooper.
Oct 20-21 (Mon-Tues): Dollywood Theme Park
We had 2-day tickets for Dollywood so we split our visit to two days. This was my first time visiting Dollywood and I didn't do any research so I had no idea what to expect.
We departed from the cabin at 9am on the first day and arrived Dollywood around 9.20am. Glad we all rode in one car coz the parking was $25/car. The parking lot was further away from the entrance but they had a free shuttle to take us to the entrance.
We were glad there wasn't any line to enter the park at 9.30am. Just a quick security scan of our bags and scanning our QR ticket.
This year is Dollywood's 40th anniversary so it's been around for awhile. Hubby and family had visited Dollywood a few times when they were kids.
Started our day riding on the Big Bear Mountain rollercoaster. It's been way too long since I last visited a theme park and rode on a rollercoaster. Realized very quicky that I'm too old for so much thrill...lol! The guys went ahead with the thrill rides on Dragonflier, Mystery Mine, Thunderhead, and Wild Eagle (at night), while I happily volunteered to be the photographer...lol!
I did get on the FireChaser Express rollercoaster at night but didn't take any video. It was my first time riding rollercoaster at night and it was even more chi-kek sitting in the front row.
Aunty Khai doesn't mind riding this froggy thing with lil' Cooper coz I don't have to worry about my phone flying away...lol!
The weather was nice and cool, which made it pleasant to walk around the park.
It was Halloween season and Dollywood went all out with their Halloween pumpkin deco,
We went to the park later on the 2nd day to see the Halloween night lights.
Oct 21: Breakfast at Crockett's Breakfast Camp in Gatlinburg.
After breakfast, we walked over to the Gatlinburg trail for an easy hike. The trailhead was close to the breakfast place so it was convenient to do this hike after breakfast.
This trail was flat and easy, and it also allows pets.
The leaves had just started to change colors. It'd be prettier a few weeks later.
Cooper did a good job walking the trail with us. 'Funcle' helped to burn his energy along the way.
Oct 22: Went to Goats on the Roof which was close to our cabin to ride mountain coaster and played a round of mini golf.
Oct 22: Drove to Foothills Parkway for a scenic drive
...and catch sunset. I was trying out my new iPhone 17 Pro camera and was a lil' disappointed with the 'autoblur' camera settings. I actually liked the photos taken with my old iPhone 13 mini more. Left: iPhone 17 Pro, Right: iPhone 13 Mini.
Beautiful sunset to wrap up our family trip.
Oct 23: Checked out of our cabin at 9.30am and started our drive home.
Made a stop at Mayfield Dairy Farms in Athens for a quick ice-cream stop.
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