the place to go. Watching the rafters on the Ocoee River, famous for it's whitewater venue of the 1996 Whitewater Olympic Games, is found to be just as thrilling and invigorating as actually riding the rapids. Enjoyment can also be had horse riding and hang gliding. There are camping sites, waterfalls and two beaches on Parksville Lake where it is safe for the kids to swim and paddle. Take a ride up to the top of Chilhowee Mountain, where another sandy beach can be found as well as inviting picnic areas. If you like hiking, take the kids along the trail to Benton Falls. For more information on The Cherokee National Forest call (423) 476-9700.

Each year tourists from around the nation travel hundreds of miles to enjoy the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains, yet here we have them, right on our doorstep. For another gateway to

the Smokies take Highway 64 East in Bradley County, left on Highway 411 to Maryville, then along Highway 321, the scenic highway into a mountain holiday wonderland.  Less than two hours from Cleveland will bring you to one of the most diverse and exciting mountain vacation areas in the world.

Pigeon Forge, with all its glitzy attractions is a great place for good, clean, family entertainment.

Dollywood, the most popular attraction of Pigeon Forge, located just off Highway 441 at light number 8, is featuring "KidsFest"  this summer which will run to August 7th. The 2005 KidsFest activities will include well known children's characters such as SpongeBob

SquarePants, pineapple under the sea turbo action ride, Clifford the Big Red Dog, in a live stage show, and kids can view the new Veggie-Tales video before anyone else as it makes it's world premier. Other KidsFest fun can be had watching ASA Extreme Sports, where athletes push it to the limit with daring demonstrations from BMX bikers, inline skaters and vertical ramp skateboarders.  Jest in Time, a roving circus act with stilt walking and juggling will entertain visitors. There will be Mad Science Movie Magic, interactive fun where your kids can actually star in their favorite feature film, and Dolly's Imagination Playhouse where actors bring to life 3 stories from Penguin's favorite children's books with colorful puppets in lively musicals. Dollywood also has several new rides and attractions this summer as well as some great ideas for keeping cool. For information call Dollywood at 1-865-428-9488 or go to www.dollywood.com.

If you get the kids to Pigeon Forge early enough you could have Breakfast with the Bears at

Boyds Bear Country, located at 149 Cates Lane, just off Highway 441 at light number 10. From 9 'til 11 am every Monday through Saturday, enjoy a breakfast buffet and have a visit from the Boyds Characters right at your table. There will also be fun activities and free goodie bags for the kids. The cost of this unusual breakfast is $4.95 for 12 and under and $6.95 for

adults! (plus tax).  Along the amusement strip on Highway 441 in Pigeon Forge are museums, rides, shows and all kinds of exciting attractions to keep the family entertained for hours. Although there are numerous hotels and restaurants along the strip catering to the many tourists, Pigeon Forge seems to pride itself on being a family orientated town, with no sales of alcoholic beverages or raunchy entertainment.

For parents who get the chance of a little time together away from the kids, the after dark night-life at Gatlinburg is just about 10 miles from Pigeon Forge. There are also daytime fun places to take the kids in Gatlinburg, like the spectacular 1.4 million gallon Aquarium, where the kids can walk among the  eleven foot sharks in the enclosed underwater viewing tunnel or observe over 8,000 exotic sea creatures from around the world. Individual exhibits include, Tropical Rain Forest, Coral Reef, Shark lagoon, Gallery of the Sea, and the hands-on Touch a Ray Bay. For more information about the aquarium call (888) 240-1358 or go to :-
www.ripleyaquariumofthesmokies.com.

Close by is the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, where the world's most strange and unusual exhibits can be viewed. The family can learn about the world's unique and intriguing people, see amazing human feats and things so extraordinary, so shocking, you will hardly believe they are true. For more information on Ripley's Believe it or Not, call (865) 436-5096. There are gift shops, ice-cream parlors, candy emporiums and fabulous restaurants to suit every taste. Visit for a day or a week, the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg holiday resorts are a great summer place to be - and less than two hours from Cleveland. So what can be a more enjoyable and fun getaway than being enveloped by the amazing scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains with a vacation atmosphere, yet still have the feeling of being at home.
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