Pigeon Forge

Yes, the name is strange. I think it has something to do with birds of steel, perhaps the Malteese Falcon? Probably not. It's actually Dolly Parton's growing-up place.

History Lesson for the Day: The theme park currently known as Dollywood started out in 1961 as a small Civil War-themed tourist attraction called "Rebel Railroad". Rebel Railroad's main component was the steam train, but there were also other interesting things on the property such as an old time saloon and general store.

In the late 1960s, the name was changed to "Goldrush Junction", and the Civil War theme gave way to a Wild West theme. The Cleveland Browns football team purchased Goldrush Junction in 1970 and expanded the park with a log flume and several other small rides.

In 1976, Jack and Pete Herschend of Branson, Missouri bought the park from the Cleveland Browns and the following season changed the name from Goldrush Junction to "Silver Dollar City Tennessee", as a sister park to the Herschends' original Silver Dollar City in Branson.

Dolly Parton joined the Herschend brothers in 1986 when she bought into the theme park and redeveloped it as Dollywood. Since then, it has grown to become Tennessee's number one tourist attraction.

...and a tourist attraction it truly is. As we drove into first Sevierville and then Pigeon Forge there were motels, fast foods, variety shows, mini golf, go carts, and a Wal-Mart.

Our Best Western room is very nice. King size bed and the air conditioner works. Woohoo!