Gatlinburg, TN: Part 3 (Grotto Falls and the Ripley's Aquarium)

Our second full day in Gatlinburg, TN started off with a drive through the Motor Nature Trail. We stopped at a few areas for pictures with the Smoky Mountains in the background. At one point, we stopped and decided to hike to the Grotto Falls. We encountered a lot of enthusiastic hikers en route there and back. Everyone was smiling and had a friendly "Hello!" A brief annoying moment was this one chick who was using the walkie talkie feature of her phone and communicating with her husband every bloody step of the way. Finally, we allowed her and her friend to pass so we wouldn't have to hear her conversation. No offense, but the whole world doesn't want to know that you're letting your husband know where you are and every beautiful speck that you see. Idiot... OK, but enough of my ranting. Back to positive blog mode....

After the hour-long hike to the Grotto Falls, we continued on the Motor Nature Trail and off to the Ripley's Aquarium which was AWESOME! It may not be the largest, but it was definitely fun. We stopped and watched the divers feed the sharks and rays. We also held horseshoe crabs and petted the rays. Very cool.


The beginning of the trail towards the Grotto Falls.


Yummer posing by this old tree whose roots have grown over this rock!


Minnie, Roger and Yum taking a break on the way to the Grotto Falls.


A little blurry, but here are the Grotto Falls! It was a hike classified as "Moderate."


A close up shot of the top of Grotto Falls.


Part of the formation of rocks as we hiked down from the Grotto Falls.


Red-bellied pirahnas at the Ripley's Aquarium.


A shark as viewed under the specially designed underground tunnel that we went under. There were many varieties of rays, sharks and other saltwater fish swimming literally inches from your face.


A REAL close-up of the same shark.


The kids and I holding a baby horseshoe crab.


A beautiful picture from their jellyfish tank. Leave a message or send me a note if you want to see the video I took. Looks pretty cool if it's looped.


A few of the rays in "Stingray Bay" where you can pet one. Very cool!