Moonshine in the Smokies

September 20-24, 2019.

I traveled back to Tennessee to do another Barkley Fall Classic. And included in my itinerary was a visit back to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Last year, it was right in that moment when hurricane Florence hit the Carolinas and nearby Tennessee areas that forced the closure of some roads in the Smokies.

This year, the weather was more accommodating for playtime activities. I stayed at the same hotel because it’s right in the spot close to both the park and Gatlinburg downtown.

I planned to do some hiking in the smokies as part of this trip. However, I couldn’t even walk straight after the BFC event. Even after 2 days, I was still hobbling. But the trip to the Smokies did not go to waste. I spent my nights experiencing moonshine from 2 distilleries in Gatlinburg, Ole Smoky and Sugarlands, respectively. I had no idea what moonshine was while strolling the streets of Gatlinburg downtown. I just did some search on breweries and distilleries nearby. Voila! Right where I was standing at that time was Ole Smoky. Saw some folks having some rounds of samples. That’s when I found out it was moonshine samplings. Boy oh boy, I got hooked! I even came back on my 2nd night in the area!

Even without any serious hiking in this trip, it was fun spending time in the Smokies – short hike to Clingmans Dome, scenic views on drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, elk viewing in Oconaluftee Visitor Center area, and a side trip to The Island in Pigeon Forge before heading back to the airport.

Fall would be an awesome time to visit the Smokies. The changing colors of Fall would be a magnificent view. Perhaps a road trip from Virginia covering The Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, next time?