by Dennis Augustine
After disembarking the American Symphony, we met our adventure guides and traveled by coach to Townsend, Tennessee, for a group lunch at Peaceful Side Social, then continued to our new home base at the Residence Inn Pigeon Forge.
After settling in, it was off to Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction! The evening began with a lively country-music warm-up before the main event filled the arena with beautiful horses, skilled riders, music, comedy, colorful costumes and impressive stunts.
And while all that action was unfolding, the servers somehow kept pace with a hearty four-course feast—creamy soup, a whole oven-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and dessert. We even had vouchers for two drinks.
Quite a way to begin our Smoky Mountains adventure!
