Thanks for sharing you trip. I am planning a trip for some "old college friends" that I haven't been able to see for a few years. We are planning to do a treasure hunting road trip from NY to FL. Along the way we were planning to go gem hunting in some of the places that you went. I was wondering if you would recommend any of the places that you stopped. We got this idea from all of those treasure hunting TV shows that are out there now, and they make it sound as though you could make enough money at some of these places to support at least some of your trip. Do you think that is true? Do you mind sharing how much the gentleman at the gemstone shop said your finds were worth?
Thanks in advance for any help you are willing to give,
Comfort Inn Apple Valley is always a great place to stay. My husband and I have spent every October since we were married in Pigeon Forge. You can't say there is nothing to do there. Try the Dixie Stampied that was so much fun. And always take one day and travel the back roads. We have found so many wonderful places outside of town away from all the people and traffic. Wears Valley is the place I love the most. Also don't forget to spend a day in Gatlinburg. Lots to do there as well and not far from Pigeon Forge at all.
Has anyone stayed at The country inn suites on Sharon road? We are headed that way from the 30th of april to May 4th,and are booked there for the moment,but if bad can change plans.thank.
My family and I are going back to pigeon forge this summer, we went for the first time last year and loved it!!! Everything is family oriented,and there aint nothing like good old southern hospitality. We stayed at "mainstay suites" goregeous place and it offers delux continental breakfast every morning and a afternoon snack with there huge popcorn machine. We liked the hotel because it sits 2 blocks off of the parkway (the main drag)on farm land, it had 3 pools and a lazy river, rocking chairs all along the front entrance where i would drink my coffee every night while looking at the stars, just relaxing. For those of you with children it is a must stay place, big bathroom,fully stocked kitchen in room (we saved money by eating lunch at hotel and maybe an easy dinner or two), great pools,guest laundrey came in handy too! Dixie Stampede we all loved,Country tonight,dollywood, everything was great. If you are a big music fan like we are Dollywood tickets are great. Enter the park at 3pm or after and stay till close then go back the next day also. You can check there show schedule because they have alot of country singers come there. We met Bryan White last year and this year Tammy Cochran will be there, so hopefully we can meet her too!!! I would recommend this whole town, city, and all it's attractions to everyone...fantastic place to vacation! And if you have AAA youcan save alot of money on park tickets,hotel,dixie stampede,etc. just ask if they except it!!! We saved lots of money. Well I hope that helped someone out there!!!
My family and I stayed at the Country Inns & Suites on Sharon Rd last October. You will not be disappointed. They have a wonderful breakfast that includes biscuits & gravy and you can even make your own waffles. It was much better than the typical breakfast of cold cereal and bagels that you usually find at most hotels. The staff was very helpful and the rooms were neat and comfortable. You will enjoy your stay.
I don't recall the gentleman in Franklin, NC saying how much the good quality gems we have are worth. I think we ended up with about 13 gems that were really good faceting quality. He did tell us that if you average one really good stone per day that you dig, then you were doing really well. We dug for about 3 days and had 13. You have to remember that it cost a considerable amount to get each gemstone faceted. On average about $15-$25 per carat and on up if its a saphire or emerald. Then you have to find a buyer. We ended up with more stones to put in a tumbler and make our own jewlery out of the gemstones. We ended up with some really nice pieces. Good luck on your hunt.
We got this idea from all of those treasure hunting TV shows that are out there now, and they make it sound as though you could make enough money at some of these places to support at least some of your trip. Do you think that is true?
Do you mind sharing how much the gentleman at the gemstone shop said your finds were worth?
Thanks in advance for any help you are willing to give,
J
Good luck on your hunt.