Smokies Lately?

[aeblank]

Anybody been to the Smokies lately? We're looking to go (have reservations at Elkmont) over memorial weekend. Wife is nervous. Justified?

[tomkatb]

We were at Pigeon forge a few weeks ago.

Nice tourist trip. Miles of interesting things.

Coming down the main drag, 411, we averaged 1.5 kph for several hours near pigeon forge. Avoid at all cost on the weekend.

However the campground was wonderful. Up the creek. Clean and quiet.

Stayed in Townsend last time.

Gatlinberg is also a tourist trap.

Nice area. Elkmount should be wonderful. The roads there can be tense rides.

[aeblank]

Were people masking?
Was it easy to stay away from people?

We're vaccinated and kids usually don't really get it, but she's still all scared.

[asr524]

Originally Posted by aeblank

Were people masking?
Was it easy to stay away from people?

We're vaccinated and kids usually don't really get it, but she's still all scared.

We went there last Thanksgiving and it was virtually impossible to stay away from people in town. Its a large tourist area with high probability of bumping shoulders at any given time.
Might have better luck out hiking or staying away from the tourist traps.

[tomkatb]

Folks in the town of pigeon forge were pretty much masked up.

Never saw a mask in the campground.

[JoePa77]

We were in the area last September at the peak of everything unknown. We were able to stay safe, but Gatlinburg had very little masking out on the street. All the businesses said masks required but on the street there was very little evidence. We did not go into any businesses since there seemed to be no compliance on the street. We were there to walk through the park and when we were on the trails we pulled up or masks or went off the path to let others pass. On the hiking trails it seemed like people there were more aware.

We stayed near Pigeon Forge and more people were masked there but again we only went to a few places outside the park and our motorhome.

Stay safe and good luck.

[ppine]

I like the Smokies. We used to go in March on the way to Florida for spring break. But there are just too many people.

[5picker]

Just something else to think about... I seen in another R/V forum that Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge just recently received a tremendous amount of rain and actually washed a few R/Vs from their spots. Just a heads up to check before you head there.

There are those who mask and those who don't regardless of where you go.
We have been down and back up the east coast and it has been this way every place we stayed. Do whatever YOU feel comfortable with.

[nayther]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Do whatever YOU feel comfortable with.

Well put. To the OP, if you're both vaccinated then what's the worry? Regardless go, get out, have fun. If you feel the need to wear a mask then do. Otherwise it's just too much.


This has become the new norm? Not on my watch. This needs to be treated like another flu strain now, IMHO.

[cfo111]

Originally Posted by aeblank

Anybody been to the Smokies lately? We're looking to go (have reservations at Elkmont) over memorial weekend. Wife is nervous. Justified?

we live in the smokies in areas you would be in see no problem. camping is still good

[BigH]

Most of the masks people are wearing will allow covid stacked on itself 20 times to fit through the gaps in the cloth...let alone the areas it meets your face.

If you are worried about yourself, protect yourself, wear an N95 mask and don't pay any attention to what anyone else is doing.

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by aeblank

Were people masking?
Was it easy to stay away from people?

We're vaccinated and kids usually don't really get it, but she's still all scared.

Kids in CA are sharing equally in developing Covid with other age groups. N95 masks will help protect you if you are inclined to go.

[waybeck2018]

Drove through the area recently and talked to some locals. Very few masks seen in convenience stores or restaurant/fast food spots. The Tennessee state government is inept just like so many others here in the south. Folks, this is not "just the flu". Please get vaccinated and wear a mask. Think of your fellow citizens and not just your "personal freedom". Smokies are nice but we won't be risking our vaccinated lives by associating in mass crowds etc with those who could care less.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by waybeck2018

... Think of your fellow citizens and not just your "personal freedom". Smokies are nice but we won't be risking our vaccinated lives by associating in mass crowds etc with those who could care less.

This is really easy, wear a real N95 mask...its the only one that works. When you put it on you are actually protecting yourself, exercising your personal freedom and you can stop worrying about what anyone else chooses to do.

[KyDan]

What are you nervous about?? Bring your own food, camp, hike, relax enjoy. I would avoid crowded downtown Gatlinburg. We have a week reserved in Gulf Shores AL in October and 6 weeks in FL next winter. These are 2 of the worst states for being non-vax. We're going and keeping our distance. This is WHY we have a trailer and don't use motels, hotels and rental condos!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by KyDan

What are you nervous about?? Bring your own food, camp, hike, relax enjoy. I would avoid crowded downtown Gatlinburg. We have a week reserved in Gulf Shores AL in October and 6 weeks in FL next winter. These are 2 of the worst states for being non-vax. We're going and keeping our distance. This is WHY we have a trailer and don't use motels, hotels and rental condos!

X2

I can social distance in a campground in a warm sunny climate better than I can with snow up to my... well you know!

Absolutely the reason we have a R/V.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by KyDan

What are you nervous about?? Bring your own food, camp, hike, relax enjoy. I would avoid crowded downtown Gatlinburg. We have a week reserved in Gulf Shores AL in October and 6 weeks in FL next winter. These are 2 of the worst states for being non-vax. We're going and keeping our distance. This is WHY we have a trailer and don't use motels, hotels and rental condos!

I wouldn't put much value on vax rates...Check out Israel...over 80% vaccinated and approaching record daily high infection rates. Wear a real mask in the proximity of others if you want and do the rest of what you said.

[RedRoverComeOver]

Been to these states in the last 20 months mostly driving, flying and only a handful of outside states while hauling camper when purchased. A combination of hotels and family visits, vacation and business.

The further south and the less masks I saw the better.

Common sense prevails.

[MrPalazzo]

just like avoiding any sickness, wear a mask and get vaccinated to protect YOURSELF - what 'everyone else' does is of no consequence. There will NEVER be a time or date when 'everyone' is wearing a 'mask' and has a 'vaccination', or now, THREE. Where it ends, who knows. Some of us don't pay attention to the 'fear mongers' and just use common sense. No one 'not' wearing a mask is somehow trying to 'infect' others, and since you can't 'know' who's been 'vaccinated' or not, that is off the table.
If you want to travel, go to the store, or anywhere outside of your home property, you have to be concerned with your own needs - you'll never be able to control everyone elses. Or, you can move to Russia, or North Korea.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by BigH

Most of the masks people are wearing will allow covid stacked on itself 20 times to fit through the gaps in the cloth...let alone the areas it meets your face.

If you are worried about yourself, protect yourself, wear an N95 mask and don't pay any attention to what anyone else is doing.

With any mask they do a good job of stopping the airborne droplets/aerosols that carry the virus. Couple that with distance and handwashing, chances of contracting anything is greatly reduced.