Our Smoky Mountain Vacation Part Two

On Monday it was supposed to rain in Gatlinburg. Therefore, we decided that this would be the best day to visit the Craft Loop. For those who said "what's that?", it's an eight mile loop just a few miles off the main strip full of mountain crafts; quilts, carvings, paintings, knick-knacks etc.
Pretty much anything hand made one could want while on vacation. Clearly, this is one of Valerie's favorite parts of Gatlinburg.

Our first stop was the Brush and Pen gallery. It's an art store run by Mr. Bobby and Mrs. Bobbi Moose, he does sketches of scenes around the area and his wife does wildlife paintings. Valerie has already bought two paintings in the "Bear Pause" series (yep, a painting of a bear by a Moose), which features bears in scenes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Because we'd bought before they had one reserved for us. Unfortunately, the painting was available but not matted or framed. So, the painting is purchased, the frame on order, and we should be seeing it in a few weeks. Oddly, I haven't seen any paintings of Moose in the shop, but then they're not exactly native to the area, But still, you'd think there'd be one...

Next we visited the King Daddy of all shops in Gatlinburg-Alewine Pottery. If you've ever been to Gatlinburg you know this shop, and you know who Robert Alewine is.

In short, he's the man in Gatlinburg. When you turn on television and tune in to channel 20, you will see the logo of the Gatlinburg Arts and Craft channel, which is Robert Alewine making pottery. The channel only shows old documentaries about early mountain life and commercials for Alewine Pottery. The dude owns the channel!!! These commercials not only show the shop, but often the pottery being made, all interspersed with nature scenes and old-tyme music from the house band. That's right, the store has a house band. I told you, he's the man.

By including his family in the commercials, you kind of get the feeling you know them before you even go. Then when you do make the trek (which you will) because you've watched this channel for, like, hours (which you will), everyone there treats you so well you feel as though you do know them. You can watch the pottery being made right in front of you on one side of the store, and then walk through the rest to see literally hundreds of pieces-and no two are alike. The feeling of the shop is exactly what you want it to be and they do quite a brisk business.

Now, I'll admit that when we first saw the commercial a few years ago for "gen-u-ine Alewine" pottery we made fun of it like everyone else. But once you get into the whole relaxed vibe of it all, the Alewine family will win you over.

So, as we were shopping the lady behind the check out counter (whose name I don't remember) was complimenting and talking to Tessa. She liked the pigtail in Tessa's hair, and when you mention the word hair Tessa reaches up and touches the top of her head to show you where her hair is. Well, the lady thought that was just precious (which seems to be what most Southerners say about her), and called Mr. Alewine himself over to compliment the girl's hair.

Now, at this point Valerie was all smiles, thinking it was so cool that Robert friggin' Alewine was talking to her daughter. I could tell that she wanted to speak up, but she kept her cool. I was trying to make sure Tessa performed on cue for a local celebrity. Tessa couldn't have given less of a crap. However, with a little coaxing, she did her cute hair thing and got the appropriate response, and we purchased a few items. But Tessa wasn't done yet.

The aforementioned band have a makeshift stage outside the shop (next to the free freshly popped popcorn) and we stopped for a while to listen. Tessa was given a shaker to play along , which she did with total abandon and lack of rhythm just as she should have. She danced around for a while and was the center of attention. I gave her a dollar to put in the tip hat and we went on our way.

Dinner that night was at the Bear Creek Grill, a fairly new restaurant by the same folks who run Howard's, my favorite steak house in the area. The creek side dining was nice, and Valerie enjoyed her chicken Parmesan dinner, though my grilled trout was a little dry. Tessa's favorite part was the bear shaped salt and pepper shakers and the swing out front which she sat on with daddy. After dinner, we went back to the condo and hit the swimming pool (even me and I haven't been swimming since my teens!) which Tessa loved and I must admit was quite refreshing.

All in all, quite a pleasant day. And it didn't rain a drop.

Next time: Adventures in the park.