Headed to the Smokies!

[Rendos]

This is turning into an annual event for Lisa and I.
Planning on going to Asheville, NC first. Visit the Biltmore Estate,

eat some good food. Then head to Gatlinburg. Ride horses, see sites,

eat good food...watch out Peddler and Lineberger's...here I come.

Might try to head back through Chattanooga and visit the Tennessee Aquarium, eat good food...then head back home.

See you when I get back.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

Sounds like you are going to have fun,the biltmore estate is awesome.Have fun and be safe on the road.

 

[OneReef]

Awesome. Have fun!

 

[ducklabdad]

Robin and I were "supposed to be headed that same way today" but the best laid plans have had to change, but hope to get that way within the next couple of weeks, take notes and photos so you can tell us where to go. I have not been up there in over 20 years!!

Have a great time.

Bill

 

[MarineFlake]

That last photo, the hotel your staying in? : )

 

[Reefdiver77]

Bon Voyage. Smooth sailing and have a wonderful time.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Have fun.

Andy was talking about a 50% Off sale on everything at MemFish.

 

[Rendos]

So we left on Saturday, the 2nd of October. We first stopped in Nashville, TN and visited with the Aquatic Critter on Nolensville Pike.

We saw some really nice discus, some unusual driftwood, and a few aquariums of interest.
Next stop was Asheville, TN where we saw the Biltmore Estate (my 12th visit, and Lisa's 2nd).

We took the rooftop tour which is new this year.

We saw streams along the way...

and even a few of these...

 

[Rendos]

Next we went to Gatlinburg where we visited an aquarium...

We saw lookdowns...

and Giant turtles...

we saw iguanas...

and frogs...

mudskippers...

and fish with four eyes...

 

[Rendos]

There were big eels...

and small eels...

we spotted flounder that were hiding...

and the equipment that runs it all.

 

[Rendos]

There were tree dwelling African cichlids...

There were dragons...

and turtles...

and tangs, and angels, and so many things...

 

[Rendos]

There were happy animals...

and smiling cousins...

There were corals...

So many corals...

 

[Rendos]

Fish that look like stones...

Lions...

strange fish...

Jellies...

Stars...

Anemones...

Nautilus...

Cuttles...

Crabs...

 

[Rendos]

Penguins...

Rays...

and Nemos...

 

[Rendos]

After Gatlinburg, we decided to go see one more place before returning home.
Chattanooga...you'd never believe me if I told you...they had an aquarium there too.

They had some horses...

And Dragons...

They had waterfalls...

and fish in pools...

They had otters...

and turtles...

 

[Rendos]

Did I mention they had turtles?
They had ones with looonnnggg toenails...

and ones with looonnnggg necks...

Some were alone...

and some that preferred groups...

They had hungry ones...

odd couples...

There were spotted ones...

and baby ones...

 

[Rendos]

Sturgeons...

and big ugly ones...

There were gar...

and Midas cichlids...

They had planted aquariums...

 

[Rendos]

Frogs...

and alligators...
some were looking at you

others didn't want to be seen

and some that hung out together on a log

Unusual fish like arawanna and fresh water stingrays...

a couple of birds...

and butterflies...

and some that had aspirations of becoming more than they are...

And yes, Marty...there were SHARKS!

 

[Rendos]

But at the end of the day we headed down to the river and boarded our hotel...

We had a great trip...but you know what they say...

There's no place like HOME.

 

[lorawalters13]

Awesome pictures! thanks for sharing