Top of the Fridge

There are signs that Spring is on the way to the Smoky Mountains. Amy and I are here spending a few days getting started working on our new cabin, Misty Morn. Progress is slow but we are excited about how this new cabin will look in a few short months. Of course, there are a few hoops to jump through to get the building permit but we have found a contractor to help us get all of that done.

We’ve spent several hours the past couple of days ripping out old carpet. It reminds you how dirty something can get when it is not cleaned for long periods of time. It also reminds you of how heavy carpet can be when it is wet.

Whenever we are here, we always try to go into Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville for a meal or two and enjoy our time here as well as working.

I gave Amy enough time off for us to go into PF for dinner the other night. We ate at a Mexican restaurant last night in Pigeon Forge called Cielito Lindo. It was our first time there and the food was really good.

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Now that I am sort of retired, I am always thinking about new career options or ways to make money. When we were leaving the restaurant, I told Amy that I had an idea for a new business. I will go to restaurants and other businesses and clean their ceiling fans.

As I was paying at the restaurant, I looked at the ceiling fan at the check out stand and it was caked with dust, dirt and maybe some mexican food. You could tell it had not been cleaned in a long, long time if ever at all. Obviously, not a big priority for the cleaning staff and apparently no one notices.

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When you rent a cabin or condo, do you pay attention to how clean it is or isn’t ?What do you look for to see if it is clean ?  Is the bathroom clean ? Is the refrigerator clean ? 

Being a little taller than some, I notice the ceiling fans and the top of the fridge. These aren’t often cleaned regularly and are probably overlooked by the cleaning staff. I usually comment to Amy on how dirty the fans are or how thick the dust is on the fridge. Usually, I don’t bother cleaning them … it’s not my problem.

Maybe the ceiling fan and the top of the fridge isn’t a big deal for you but it may be a sign of the how well the rental unit is cleaned.

The company that manages our rental property provides the cleaning staff for our cabin, Maple Top in the Smokies. They also have someone periodically come by and do an inspection of the job the cleaning staff is doing. They also require a “deep cleaning” once or twice a year. Usually scheduled during the “slow season” this includes cleaning carpets, curtains, mini blinds and yes, ceiling fans. I will have to see if it includes the top of the fridge !

While you cannot expect a short term rental cabin to be spotless, you should expect that the property is cleaned regularly and is in good condition for your get-away. You shouldn’t have to spend your stay cleaning the kitchen, bathroom or ceiling fans !

Now get up and clean the top of your fridge and those ceiling fans … or call me and I will come do it … for a price of course !

Check out Maple Top in the Smokies for your spring time stay in the Smoky Mountains. There is so much to do while you enjoy God’s creation. Just leave the cleaning to us !

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What’s Your Favorite?

Recently, I spoke with a couple of different people who have lived in Middle Tn. for years and have never been to the mountains of East Tn.  It’s an easy 3-3.5 hour drive from Nashville and there is so much to do there. It got me thinking about all of the fun things to do there. We have our favorite things … what are some of yours ?

The Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area is exploding with growth. When I was young, their wasn’t a lot of options for entertainment in the area. There was always the mountains and a trip to Newfound Gap or Cades Cove. There was the Sky Lift in Gatlinburg and some places to eat pancakes. I know there was more to do but those are the ones that stick out in my mind. That was a long time ago.

Now you have so many choices of things to do. One of mine and Amy’s favorite things is to go to Cade’s Cove. We love to pack a lunch and go to the picnic area just before the entrance. We love to pull our chairs up next to the creek and just watch the water and nature scenes all around us … and occasionally be entertained by someone trying to light their camp stove.

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Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have exploded with growth over the last few years. Today you have so many options for family fun, food and shopping.

Of course, Dollywood is a big draw to the area. They are expanding again with another huge section opening up this spring. The park opens in two weeks just in time for spring break. There is plenty to do at Dollywood for the whole family.

Dollywood Sign

Check out the events calendar for Pigeon Forge (mypigeonforge.com) for all of the events coming this year. One of my favorites is the Spring Rod Run. If you love classic cars, this is your event. Cars of every make and model  lined up and down the Parkway.  You might even find you that you can buy and take home.

We’ve never been real big on going  to shows but there are a lot of shows in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We have been to the Comedy Barn twice. I will have to say that it is very entertaining and fun. The performers are very talented and many of them have been there for years. It is good clean humor, music and fun. They cater the show to kids and take time to recognize the veterans in attendance which I  appreciate.

We have also been to the Lumberjack Feud. It was surprisingly entertaining and exciting to watch. The guys doing the events are very skilled at what they do. Some of the shows are kind of expensive but usually worth the money.

When it comes to eating, you will not go hungry !  The Peddlar Steakhouse has always been one of our favorites in Gatlinburg for special occasions. There are the usual favorites in Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill and Bennett’s Barbeque. There are some new places that we have not tried yet. Farmhouse Kitchen across from the Outlet Mall and Gauco-Urbano Brazillian Steakhouse to name a couple. Our favorite is a little off the beaten (and busy) path in Sevierville –Holston’s Kitchen . It has reasonably priced food and is usually not a busy as the usual places on the Parkway.

Holston's Kitchen

Regardless of what you like to do, you can find it in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Maybe you just want to rent a cabin and do nothing. That’s a great way to get away too.

There is so much to do … book a trip today and enjoy the beauty that God has created.

Leave a comment with your favorite thing to do in the Smokies !