I live near Knoxville, and the Smokies are about 45 minutes away. If you ever get back here, look for "the quiet side of the Smokies".... a town called Townsend. Not much tourist traffic there and they don't allow all the hoopla of tourist traps and such. And the drive into the Smokies from there is wonderful; the town goes right up to the park boundary.
I live near Knoxville, and the Smokies are about 45 minutes away. If you ever get back here, look for "the quiet side of the Smokies".... a town called Townsend. Not much tourist traffic there and they don't allow all the hoopla of tourist traps and such. And the drive into the Smokies from there is wonderful; the town goes right up to the park boundary.