Smoky Mountains 2017 - Fire Damage on Roaring Fork

Smoky Mountains 2017 - The BEARS

Isn't it always the #1 Smoky Mountains vacation goal, to see black bears? Well, we checked that off the bucket list within 24 hours of arriving! A mama and her cubs came to check out the hot tub (they think it's the bromide tablets that attract them). Mama stayed in the woods, but the cubs came right on up to the porch and hot tub. It was quite the sight. And those little cubs were so darn cute! Later that evening, another bear came walking down the driveway of the house! They think that the fire displaced a lot of bears, so bear sightings on the ski mountain are very common this year. 

Smoky Mountains 2017 - Views from the House

The house we stayed at was just around the corner from Ober Gatlinburg. We had awesome views of Mount LeConte

Smoky Mountains 2017 - NOC

Our first stop in Gatlinburg, our favorite store, Nantahala Outdoor Center.