Our Trip to Tennessee : Dollywood

Dollywood, Scott? Yes, Dollywood.

In this time of anger and fear. Of hate and resentment, only the lovely lady of the hills has the power to bring us all together. The queen of nice, Dolly Parton.

Ed and the Birthday Girl

Well, we are back from a week with Lynn and her niece Kay. We went to Tennessee to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. And so, our first stop had to be Dollywood.

I have long wanted to see the famed Dollywood. At first, it was the promise of the unknown. A land where big-breasted women of the South would fraternize with the mullet-haired men of the Midwest. Where southern hospitality is challenged only by the deepness of the southern drawl. The one place in the south where I thought my LA accent would not be scorned.

And I was right. Dollywood is a land where we put aside our differences to eat deep-fried food of all types, watch glass blowers do their thing, ride roller-coasters, and hear Dolly songs played over the speakers AND sung live at shows.

It was a kick.

Kay, me, Lynn, and Eddie.

Dollywood may not be the Happiest Place on Earth, but it was definitely the happiest place we visited. It just has a nice, happy, and sweet touch, without being too saccharine. 

Dollywood is primarily staffed by older people, other than the ride operators. Mickey said that this is because Dolly wants to hire only locals when possible. Well, there at Dollywood, they are as nice as can be.

I liked it. Hell, even Ed liked it.

Me, at 67 years old, about to fly around on a dragonfly roller coaster.

It was there food and flowers festival.