Road Trip to Dollywood and New River Gorge National Park

Road Trip Planning and Unexpected Detours

• 🚗 The journey to West Virginia began with a decision to rent a car instead of flying, saving significant costs and avoiding extra mileage on personal vehicles.
• 💡 The initial plan to visit West Virginia for fall colors and the New River Gorge National Park was unexpectedly enhanced by a spontaneous decision to visit Dollywood.
• 🗺️ The road trip involved a long drive, with a stop in Franklin, Tennessee, a town noted for its picturesque downtown resembling a Hallmark movie set.

Dollywood Experience

• 🎢 Dollywood is described as a theme park tier below Disney and Universal but above Six Flags, featuring year-round festivals.
• 🏨 Staying at a Dollywood resort offered perks like free parking, a tasting menu for food, and free ride access, significantly enhancing the value proposition.
• 🍞 The iconic cinnamon bread from the grist mill was a highlight, with a long line and a delicious, icing-covered loaf.
• 🎶 The park featured live music and a Dolly Parton museum, with attendance increasing significantly after partnering with Dolly Parton.
• 🍽️ While the food and theming were praised, the food service employees were noted as being generally unhappy and unengaged.

The Greenbrier and West Virginia Charm

• 🏨 The trip included a stay at The Greenbrier, an iconic historic hotel known for its presidential appearance, immaculate grounds, and golf course.
• 🏛️ The hotel has a significant history, including a secret Cold War-era bunker built to house Congress, though the tour was considered expensive.
• 💸 Activities at The Greenbrier, such as falconry and cooking classes, were available but prohibitively expensive, as were the dining experiences.
• 🏞️ The journey into West Virginia revealed beautiful mountain scenery with changing leaves and a stop at a state park featuring a picturesque historic mill.

New River Gorge National Park

• 🌉 The New River Gorge Bridge, the third tallest in the US and tallest east of the Mississippi, is a stunning centerpiece of the park.
• 🌊 Despite its name, the New River is one of North America's oldest rivers, predating the Appalachian Mountains.
• 🧗 The area is known for rock climbing on the Endless Wall and whitewater rafting, though the river was too low for rafting during the visit.
• 🏭 Hikes included exploring former mining towns, offering insight into the region's industrial history, with a mention of Henry Ford's brief ownership of a mine.
• 🚗 The trip concluded with a long drive back, including stops in Knoxville and Memphis for food, and a speeding ticket for driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone.