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Day 1
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Today is going to be the start of 9 days of adventure and fun. We will drive through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, the landscape changing to gentle rolling hills. The scenery will be beautiful as we travel along the Ohio River. Today we will travel to Portsmouth, Ohio where we will spend the night at the Ramada. (B)
Day 2
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Leaving Ohio and traveling to West Virginia the sign of fall is all around us. Lunch time will find us in Beckley, WV, where we will stop at Tamarack. Tamarack is a unique center housing the best of West Virginia crafts and regional cuisine. You will be given coupons to dine in the “Taste of West Virginia” food court for lunch. While we are still in Beckley, we will tour the Beckley Coal Mines and Coal Camp and learn about the life of the miners. We will be traveling to Mt. Airy, NC tonight, staying at the Hampton Inn for the next two nights. Mt. Airy is the birthplace of Andy Griffith and the quaint downtown shops are full of “Mayberry “ memorabilia. (B,L)
Day 3
Thursday, Oct. 15
After breakfast at our hotel, we will depart for the Vistors Center and Andy Griffith Museum in downtown Mt. Airy. A step on guide will join us this morning to point out the interesting sites that were made famous by the Andy Griffith Show. After our tour around town, we will stop for lunch at Snappy’s, mentioned several times by Andy in his shows. You will have some free time to browse the shops and enjoy the local sites. You’ll enjoy stopping by Floyd’s Barber Shop or the Mayberry Jail, you’ll almost be able to hear the voices of the Mayberry coming to life. (B,L)
Day 4
Friday, Oct. 16
We aren’t in a hurry today and it’s a good thing...the speed limit on the Parkway is 45 miles per hour, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. There will be plenty of areas to pull over and stretch your legs and take pictures. We will be stopping for lunch along the parkway and visiting some of the craft and gift shops. The Parkway has a timeless quality, rolling past log cabins and split-rail fences free of commercial interruptions. Asheville is nestled in a valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains as the back ground and that will be our home for the next two nights. We will be staying at the Comfort Inn with the Biltmore Square Mall right beside the hotel. (B)
Day 5
Saturday, Oct. 17
In 1895 George Vanderbilt built this home of 250 rooms on 8,000 acres. Today this home is one of Asheville’s biggest attractions and we are going to spend the day exploring the house, gardens, winery and even have lunch. “The driveway is measured in miles and the floor plan is measured in acres” according to the brochures. Back to the hotel for a relaxing evening or more shopping at the mall. (B,L)
Day 6
Sunday, Oct. 18
With a last look at Asheville, we point our attention to our next stop...Cherokee, nestled between the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are going to be driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway again today before arriving in Cherokee. Our step on guide will join us in Cherokee and also is bringing our lunch for a picnic in the mountains. We will be stopping for a break at the top of Old Smoky before heading down the other side. Our guide will tell us the stories and history of the Smokies, delivered with lots of humor! We will be staying at the Ramada Hotel in Pigeon Forge for the next 3 nights. Dinner will be at Damon’s Grille followed by the Smith Family Show, one of the best in Pigeon Forge. (B.L,D)
Day 7
Monday, Oct. 19
Morning will finds us heading for Dollywood and a day of fun at the Dollywood Harvest Celebration. This is the Smoky Mountain’s largest fall celebration with Southern Gospel music, crafters and working demonstrations along with all the cooking of the south. This evening we will enjoy a great meal at the Corky’s BBQ restaurant followed by the Country Tonight show. (B,L,D)
Day 8
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Today is going to be a relaxed day! Starting off with a visit to the Christmas Store, followed by some power shopping at the outlet malls. You may joins us or kick back and relax or ride the trolley and do your own thing..... But tonight you will enjoy the food at the Old Mill, one of the best restaurants around. good down home southern cookin!! The Comedy Barn is next on our schedule for tonight and it’s a laugh a minute...good, clean fun! (B,D)
Day 9
Wednesday, Oct. 21
We head for home today and will pass the time playing games and visiting with our new found friends, talking about the brilliant colors of the mountains and the beauty of fall foliage.....’Southern Style’.. We will arrive home early evening. (B)
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