re: How to salvage my trip: Gatlinburg

Just got back from spending a week there with the family. When we arrived, it was the usual summer crowd. The usual crowd is an eclectic mix from one spectrum to the other. About three days into it, there was a massive influx of trash that arrived. The only thing that I can think happened is that nothing else is open right now so everybody is hitting up the Smokies right now. It’s literally busting at the seams. It was so many people to arrive that it made it miserable. Gatlinburg is simply not equipped to handle that many people.

We are normals to that area as it can make for a great family destination. But not right now.

If this was your first time there, don’t judge it on how it is now. There’s usually a little bit of trash, but not nearly the amount there is currently.