The current special exhibit at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg is so worth the trip! We visited the aquarium on Sunday, and this new exhibit is awesome!

One of the ‘creatures’ that was most amazing to me was the tiny Blue Ringed Octopus. It was a tiny little thing…cute… but wow is it deadly. So deadly, it carries enough venom, for which there is currently no known antidote, to kill 26 human beings. It was amazing to see this collection of to be feared specimens. There is just so much to see and learn, I’m going to have to return before the year ends to view it all again.

The kids just couldn’t stop talking about the ‘boxing’ shrimp that throws a powerful 55-mph punch with the force of a .22 caliber bullet. There is even a punching bag to test yourself to see if you are any match!

This exhibit is a great display of the natural defenses of these sea creatures, and a good reminder that nature is constantly struggling for survival. One of the most poignant line ups was that of the sea’s biggest enemy… pollutants and garbage that humans leave behind. It was an eye-opener for sure!

Visit the Ripley’s web site for more information if that’s what it takes to convince you to go!
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

Every evening from now through January 1, you can stop by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza to see their 5-story tall musical Christmas tree light show. Catch the show Sunday-Thursday at 6 and 8 p.m., or Friday-Saturday at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. and there will be hot chocolate, apple cider and snacks available for purchase. Starting November 13, your children can have their picture taken with ‘Santa’ Sharky between 4-6 p.m. daily.

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

Get ready for the premier multi-lane mat slide, Slick Rock Racer! This spring, the $1 million-dollar addition to the outdoor water park will open and will be located between the Mountain Twist and Raging River Rapids. It spans 300’ and features four side-by-side water drenched lanes, each offering multiple bumps to gain momentum and propel you to the finish! This ride will be able to accommodate 600 guests per hour!

Also new for 2010 at Splash Country is season long prize giveaways for season passholders. Surprise giveaways will include t-shirts, special offers and discount coupons. Use your season pass to enter 1-hour prior to opening on Saturdays and you’ll be entered for a chance to win gift certificates for free food and merchandise, or even a complimentary Riverside Retreat rental.

Dolly’s Splash Country season passes go on sale beginning November 7 at pre-season prices. The Annual Open House exclusively for season pass holders is scheduled for May 15, with the regular operating season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Save money and buy your season pass at the pre-season rates!

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

Boo to You! Be at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza in Gatlinburg from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31 to join in the fun of the Halloween Kickoff Carnival.

There will be Halloween costume contests, inflatables, candy…and more candy! You’ll even see some of your favorite local characters including Diamond and Slugger from Smokies Baseball stadium; Red Panda and Beaver from the Knoxville Zoo; Shrimp Louie from Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.; Big Dog from WIKQ radio station; and Sharky and Zeno the Bear from Ripleys Aquarium and the City of Gatlinburg. You can dance to popular Halloween themed music such as Thriller by Michael Jackson and learn about fire and Halloween safety with the Gatlinburg Fire and Police departments.

Costume contests run as follows with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places:
Children 0-11: Noon
Children Over 11: 12:30 p.m.
Pets: 1 p.m.

There will be lots of fun and games, with all game proceeds benefiting the Sevier County United Way. Stick around after the carnival and let the kids enjoy some of the best trick or treating to be had in downtown Gatlinburg beginning around 6 p.m.

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

I just received a news release from the National Park headquarters about a stargazing program at Cades Cove and thought I should share it with you. Here it is and it sounds pretty cool!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer a 2-hour stargazing program in Cades Cove on October 10, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in cooperation with the Smoky Mountains Astronomical Society. Experienced astronomers and several telescopes will be on hand to provide a discovery of the autumn sky’s position of stars, galaxies, and constellations, including the Milky Way.

According to Park Ranger Mike Maslona, “Along with preserving wildlife and historic sites, Cades Cove also preserves a dark, clear night sky. Without the obstruction of artificial light as seen in developed areas outside the Park, visitors will have a better viewing opportunity to gaze at the stars than they would have at home. In case of rain or cloud cover where night skies are not visible, the program will be rescheduled for Saturday, October 17.”

Participants for the program should park near the exhibit shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road where a ranger will be to escort the group about one-fourth mile to a nearby field. Those planning to attend should dress warmly, and bring a flashlight and a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Also, it is suggested to bring binoculars which can be used for stargazing, as well. Call 865/448-4104 for further information.
Nancy Gray, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

I am generally of the mind that what national restaurant chains can offer in consistency, they are no match to the hospitality of a local restaurant. However, I’m going to have to rethink that.

My son and I were thrilled to have been gifted a certificate for Olive Garden, so off we went! It was late afternoon on a busy Saturday yet we were immediately seated and our server was Melissa.

Our meal was great, as always, but today the service topped even that tasty Italian dressing. Melissa was on top of her game, in a great mood, right there when we needed her and gone when not. My son wasn’t just a kid-a-long… he was her guest today. I don’t know how she had time to make friendly conversation, deal with our menu changes, pull our plates, fill our drinks, and still, in such a ‘motherly’ way, encourage my son to just trrrryyyyyyyy the salad. I can’t say enough about her except she is a real tribute to all those hard working servers out there that take control of their incomes. She is one gal with some serious earning power!

When you enjoy your next meal at the Olive Garden here in town, request to be seated in Melissa’s station and tell her SmokySaver.com sent ya… you’ll be glad you did.

Way to go, Melissa!
Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

Today, I had the pleasure of having lunch with a good friend at the Tin Roof Cafe in Sevierville. Neither of us had been there before, so we were really looking forward to trying something new.

The cafe is a house with a big front porch and lots of lawn just past the Apple Barn on Apple Valley Road…really nice curb appeal! When you walk in, several quaint rooms are set up as dining areas and a foyer sign tells you to order your meal and then sit wherever you’d like. They offer flavored coffees, teas, bottled soda, and ‘fancy’ sandwiches served with a side of your choice. (I say ‘fancy’ because there are no plain ‘ol deli sandwiches on buns that kids–mine anyway–would prefer.) We ordered and paid for our lunch, and chose to sit in the “Garden of Eatin’” dining area.

A young gal delivered our sandwiches and they looked great! I chose the grilled Roast Beef on Rosemary bread with Provolone and Balsamic vinegar tomatoes, with a green salad side, and a bottle of Coke. That sandwich was out of this world fantastic! I rarely eat Roast Beef, but boy am I glad I chose it today. Everything about it was delicious….crisp, warm bread, cold cheese and meat…but it was the tomatoes that were the icing on the cake. I had never had anything like them!

Our lunch was delicious, the cafe kitchen and dining areas appeared quite clean and all the ladies working were very sweet. There were only two negatives to our visit, and even those were easily overlooked. One was that it was very chilly, so when you go, take a light sweater with you just in case. The other was that no one came to the table to check on us or refill the tea, but then maybe they don’t do that since you order at the counter? Had we needed to speak with someone, they were all visible so we could have easily asked for attention.

I definitely recommend this cafe for an adult couple or a girl’s lunch, and I will return for another ’special’ outing!

Two Sandwiches, Two Drinks, Tip: $25
‘Til Next Time,

angie@smokysaver.com

My DH & I recently found oursevles in East Knoxville, near Knoxville Center Mall (the mall formerly known as East Towne) while delivering some baby chicks.   This was 2 weeks ago when the major storms were brewing & moving through our area, and one was looming overhead threatening rain, lightning and possibly hail.  So we decided to pull over, splurge a little and have dinner together at the Texas Roadhouse on I-640 at the Mall Exit. 

If you’ve never been to one, it’s your typical casual dining steakhouse/saloon, with buckets of peanuts to keep you munching while you wait for your orders.  He ordered a larger filet and I ordered a trio of filet “medallions” on a bed of rice.    We chatted, ate our peanuts, enjoyed some appetizers and then when our food came out, they brought two identical plates.   Now, I’m a pretty flexible gal most of the time, and basically it was the same thing as I ordered, just with a different shape & no rice.  So while the waitress encouraged me to take her up on the offer to fire up a new dinner for me, I wasn’t willing to wait that long and couldn’t help but come back to it being basically the same thing I ordered, so I asked her to please just adjust my bill to make sure I paid for what I ordered not what I actually received (because the medallions were a tad cheaper).  She left with a flurry of “So sorry”, “If you change your mind let me know”, “Are you Sure?” and “Of course I’ll take care of the bill”.  She was great and I just moved on with my meal, anxious now to finish and start heading back home. 

Moments later, and completely unexpectedly,  the manager appeared at our table with a look of serious concern.  He insisted on getting me a new dinner, and I assured him that was not necessary and I had already begun eating this one anyway.  He tried to assure me it would not take long to replace my meal, and again I said no, that is not necessary but that I DID appreciate his concern.  He asked what else he could do, this was not a normal part of their operation although mistakes do happen.   Having worked in food service for much of my early adult life, I understand that all too well, I was a TERRIBLE waitress and so have great patience for those who are trying.  I reassured him that everything was fine, we were fine, not to worry and I appreciate everything, the food is good and the waitress was wonderful about it.  He finally left the table with my last reassurance and a request that he make certain my bill is correct for what I ordered.   Honestly, I was so excited about his doting behavior, I called Angie right from that table to tell her what a great experience I had with getting the wrong order!! LOL

When we got our bill to settle up, my meal was comped and I was thrilled even more with the customer service here at the Texas Roadhouse.   What a statement of responsibility they made to me… “No, it’s our fault, and you will not pay for our mistakes.”   This is such a refreshing attitude to encounter, and I’m glad we stopped for our meal! 

So if you get the opportunity, and find yourself near Knoxville Center Mall (take I-40 to 640 toward Lexington KY and exit at the Mall Exit) stop at the Texas Roadhouse and have a nice meal. 

Price Point:  
Steak Dinner $16.99 +/-
Appetizer $6.99 +/-
Excellent Customer Service $Priceless

Until next time…

Wow!  Customer service reached out and grabbed me on Friday, and I just had to share!

I set out on what I thought would be a couple hour venture trying to find my young son some quality, yet affordable hikers.  I was heading to the Nike Outlet at the Belz Mall, and pulled into the only shady parking space I could find, which just happend to be in front of Rack Room Shoes.  In all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve been in that store a total of two times, and was neither impressed by prices nor people.  However, today they had a B1G1 sale going on, and I thought…what the heck!  We walked in, strolled through an isle or two and were approached by a gray-haired gentleman.  He looked clean and fresh and wore a wrinkle-free shirt and genuine smile.  At his asking, I explained what we were looking for and he took us directly to the “Bonus Buy” hiking boots….not the $90 or $70 boots, but the $49.99 boots that were on sale for $19.99.  He sized my son’s foot on that thingy and continued to help us until we finished shopping….and all without being that ‘over-the-shoulder’ hanger arounder.  That shopping trip was a pleasaure from the moment we walked in the door, til the friendly gal behind the counter bid us a great day and my son a fun camping trip.

Wow!  Maybe the two times I had been in Rack Room Shoes previously, I just hadn’t given them a chance to impress me??  I don’t know…or maybe they have a new management team that appreciates the staff and that trickles down to staff appreciating the customer.  Whatever the case may be, both sales members made a positive impression on me.  Should you be looking for a footwear bargain, be sure to visit Rack Room Shoes on Teaster Lane and ask for that gentle man, Allen.

Thanks so much, Allen…you made my day!

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com

Welcome the blog of SmokySaver.com, a publication of DnA Online. I’m the ‘A’ part, Angie, and I’m really looking forward to the ‘D’ part, Dawn, and I providing some terrific Smoky Mountains event information and news on what’s new so that you’ll visit often for help with your destination vacation planning. Our goal is to provide our personal perspectives and have you looking forward to reading what’s next!

We hope that you’ll enjoy our commentary and then jump on over to the SmokySaver.com online frugal forum to share your own thoughts and ideas. I personally look forward to hearing about your getaway experience and how you Vacation Smart in the Smokies!

Ciao for now,

angie@smokysaver.com