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PAGE10A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008 Head to Pigeon Forge for year-round fun Whispering Pines makes perfect mountain get-away for family BY ANGELA GARY Relaxing on the spacious balcony for a scenic view of the mountain-side. Gathering in the family room to watch a movie or for meal-time. Taking a slow float along the “lazy river” or splashing around in the pool. Whispering Pines is the perfect place to stay during a family vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Our family spent a recent long weekend at Whispering Pines and left refreshed and relaxed and planning a return visit. Pigeon Forge is located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Millions of visitors each year check out all of the natural beauty and many attractions offered in the area. It is a great destination for North Georgia residents because of the short drive. It is a also a perfect choice for family trips because of the abundance of accom modation options and the attractions that will delight people of all ages. We arrived on a Thursday and took the winding path up to our home for the weekend, Whispering Pines. We were delighted with the spacious and luxuri ous condo located in the middle of the all action, yet far enough away from the main road for some peace and quiet. Our condo provided spectacular views and plenty of room for the entire family. It was huge, comfortable and beautifully decorated. Whispering Pines is located within walking distance of the parkway. Special features include a picnic area, washer/ dryer, fully furnished kitchen, gas log fireplace, a fitness center, cable television and high speed Internet. Visitors have the option of one, two, three or four bedroom condos. For more information on Whispering Pines, go to www.whisperingpinescon- dos.com/b or call 1-800-429-4361. The condos are managed by Resort Properties Management, which also manages two other properties in Pigeon Forge — Bear Crossing and Cedar Lodge. PLENTY TO DO Located just a few hours drive away, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., provides a won derful year-round travel destination for MOUNTAIN VIEW Whispering Pines condos have huge balconies with views of the mountains or the park way. Our condo provided a great spot for the family to gather and enjoy the moun tain view. North Georgia residents. It’s great for a weekend-trip or a week-long adventure. Musical shows, shopping galore, putt putt and a theme park are just a few of the things to fit into your schedule dur ing a visit. Pigeon Forge is an affordable family vacation destination that offers something for all ages. Black Bear Jamboree is a favorite show for adults and children alike. The music is wonderful, the dancing is amazing and the animated bear characters provide a commentary that ties it all together. The show includes country, Broadway tunes and patriotic and gospel selections. The choreography and dancing are the best you will find. The dinner show begins with a performance by the Black Bear Jamboree All Star Band. They play as the meal is performed. The coun try feast includes creamy vegetable soup, barbecue ribs, roasted chicken, green beans, potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls and chocolate mousse. For more information, go to www. blackbearjamboree.com or call 1-865-908-7469. IN SEVIERVILLE During our visit to the Great Smoky Mountains, we also spent some time in Sevierville, where we enjoyed visits to The Smith Family Theater, RainForest Adventure and Forbidden Caverns. The Smith Family Theater is a wonder ful family show that will delight guests of all ages. Brothers Charlie and Jim Smith, along with Charlie’s son, Charlie Bob, include country, oldies, gospel and hilarious impersonations as part of their show. You might even see a great tribute to Andy Griffith during their show. A favorite is always the impersonations, which includes everyone from Elvis to Ray Charles to Bill Anderson to Willie Nelson. It is amazing how much they sound like the artists they are imperson ating. “We want you to act like you are in our living room tonight,” Jim said to kick off the show. “We’re relaxed and casual.” The theater, which is opened year- round, is located at traffic light one on the parkway in Pigeon Forge. For more information, call toll-free, 1-866-399-8100 or go to www.smith- familytheater.com. At RainForest Adventures, you will see snapping turtles, alligators, cocka toos, hedge hogs, porcupines, tarantulas and more. Be sure and check out the presentation from Jim Dykes. He gives information on some of the animals and, if you sit on the first few rows, you can touch them. For more information, go to www. rfadventures.com. Forbidden Caverns includes an enter taining and educational tour past spar kling formations, towering national chimneys and a running stream within the cavern. Forbidden Caverns has the largest wall of rare cave onyx known to exist, as well as many unique formations that are still forming. Forbidden Caverns is located at 455 Blowing Cave Road in Sevierville. For more information, go to www.forbid- dencavern.com or call 865-453-5972. Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com. SMITH FAMILY PERFORMS Jim Smith performs "Bread and Butter” to the delight of the audience at The Smith Family Theater. His nephew, Charlie Bob Smith, is also shown. DOLLY UNVEILS NEW RIDE Dolly Parton was at the recent grand opening weekend at Dollywood to unveil the park's new ride, the River Battle fam ily adventure ride. The water raft ride is equipped with soaker guns. Nine eight-passenger rafts navigate the waters of a 500-foot channel in a battle that begins as passengers take aim at each other with the soaker guns, as well as trying to hit 100 fun targets along the way. Dolly Parton unveils new River Battle ride as season opens at Dollywood BY ANGELA GARY The newest adventure for visitors to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is the River Battle family adventure ride. Dolly Parton was at the recent grand opening weekend to unveil the ride for the thousands of visitors gathered in the newest area of the park, Wilderness Pass. Dolly, wearing a bright red raincoat and carrying an umbrella, rolled out before the crowd in one of the rafts. “This is a great ride,” she said. “We are very excited about it.” The water raft ride is equipped with soaker guns. Nine eight-pas senger rafts navigate the waters of a 500-foot channel in a battle that begins as passengers take aim at each other with the soaker guns, as well as trying to hit 100 fun targets along the way. Animated beavers, skunks, otters, bears and other creatures talk to passengers as they float along the river. Some targets shoot back at those aboard the raft. “When I was a kid, me and my brothers and sisters used to sneak away and start up a river battle of our own, but I never dreamed that kind of childhood fun would end up creat- ing a great ride like my new River Battle,” Dolly said. Dollywood has over 130 acres of rides, entertainment, craftsmen, shops and restaurants. Dollywood is also home to five of the South’s larg est festivals each year — the Festival of Nations, KidFest, Dollywood’s Barbeque and Bluegrass festi val, National Gospel and Harvest Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas. During our visit during grand open ing weekend, we enjoyed visiting the Celebrate Ireland area of the park. Traditional music, arts and crafts and food are found in this area. We enjoyed lunch at O’Malleys Place where a special Irish buffet was offered. Corned beef and cab bage, shepherd’s pie, garlic cheddar mashed potatoes, sweet potato apple mash and other Irish dishes were among the selections. Last year, 3 million people visited the Dollywood, and the park won an industry award for being “Park of the Year.” For more information, go to www.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD. For qualified buyers on select models. Add Tax, Tag & Title Georgia’s Gas Saving and Money Saving Dealer! New ‘08 Yaris, ‘08 & ‘09 Corollas, 08 & ‘09 Matrix, ‘08 & ‘09 Camrys, Hurry for BEST SELECTION Sale Ends June 2, 2001 www.heywardallentoyota.com 2910 ATLANTA HIGHWAY ATHENS