And back to historic structures...
Some point right after this, we came to a full stop and were stopped for a few minutes. We were beyond all of the structures, so I have to assume it was an animal. Unfortunately, we were back into a densely wooded area and if there was anything, it was well hidden in the trees by the time we passed.
I know this park has lots of animals and I know late afternoon in July isn't exactly the best time to try and see them. Still, we were limited with options and were skunked, and because of the dense forestation of this park and limited clearings/valleys...at least from what we'd seen...our odds of seeing anything during our short stay would likely be limited. Still, it was just bizarre how we saw practically nothing. The number of birds we saw could be counted on one hand and I found it bizarre that we didn't even see anything more common like squirrels. David saw one groundhog just outside of the park, if that counts. What we'd seen so far was very pretty, but also not that dissimilar to what I saw a lot around where I grew up. I could tell from the kids that there's also a certain bit of being jaded with going to the Rockies and parks out west. It's by no means the park's fault, but we were disappointed. Yes, maybe we would have seen more had we gotten out and hiked, but David has been having some foot issues, so I'd rather him take it easy.
David thought he'd found me a quicker and easier way out of the park, but I think it was actually longer. This must have been when we passed a bunch of rafting spots, because Kendall took this pic...but this is it.
At this point, we were trying to figure out dinner...especially since I still hadn't eaten. If I had some food in my stomach, Clingmans Dome at sunset would have been nice, but it was just going to have to wait for morning. The one other visitor center on that loop in the park was closed by the time we went by (after 5pm)...so, no food. So, it was now close to 6:30pm and I'd had nothing. Cell phone signal went in and out. I expected it in the mountains, but not in town. I've since learned that TMobile customers often experience no service in Pigeon Forge. So, the apps we were relying on to point us to dining couldn't be accessed and GPS couldn't connect. We drove to several places that looked interesting that might have outdoor dining, but they were mobbed with people. We drove back into Gatlinburg, even paid to park, and still got skunked. I put myself on the waiting list of one spot in Gatlinburg and ate the cost of parking to drive to it...but it was a wall to wall sea of people outside waiting to get in. No thanks.
We pretty much gave up at this point. I had service in Gatlinburg and programmed it to Publix in Pigeon Forge. We were almost there when David noticed a certain chain restaurant that had no people and outdoor seating. It's not a place we normally like, but we figured we'd try. In hindsight, we should have walked out and gone to Publix, but I was no longer thinking straight.
1. They refused to seat anyone outside. I know it's hot, but this would be the first and only place I've seen during the pandemic refusing to offer the outside seating area that they already have.
2. They refused to distance tables. They sat us away from most other diners and said the table next to us was paying their check and leaving soon. The tone of the hostess/manager who seated us was borderline obnoxious...like we were being ridiculous for wanting to distance.
3. Not the pandemic's fault, but the food was awful and unlike what they serve at other locations.
The only bright spot of dinner, aside from being seated immediately, was that we had a great server. With our disappointment with the park, the crowds, the disregard for masks we'd seen in the crowds, and this restaurant's unwillingness to take precautions...we decided that it would be safer and more enjoyable to cut our visit to this area short. So, we decided to eat the cost of the second night at the hotel, hit Clingmans Dome for Kendall first thing in the morning, and extend our stay in NOLA by one day. It was probably an omen because the NOLA hotel had dropped their prices. I was able to cancel my original booking that night for no penalty and get 2 nights for the price of 1 that I'd previously booked.
On the way back to the hotel, we decided to stop at a candy shop. They thankfully were enforcing masks, numbers, and distancing. I believe this was where we stopped (taken on the drive in).
David and Sam went to the ice cream counter for treats, Kendall got a huge bag of taffy, and I got truffles.
The truffles were so pretty and weren't bad, but it was the passion fruit taffy that Kendall put in her assortment that I really liked.
On the way back to Gatlinburg, while driving through the forested areas, we were treated to trees full of fireflies...or lightning bugs, as we like to call them. We didn't see any by the hotel, but it was still cool driving through them like that. I can't say I've ever seen so many. So that was a nice treat. I can only imagine what it's like during synchronous firefly viewing in early June.
We got back to the hotel (used the elevator this time) and were hoping to enjoy our view for the one night we'd be there, but Sam went out and quickly ran back in, saying that the balcony was full of spiders. I had seen a couple out there in the daylight, but didn't think it would be too bad. I opened the balcony door to check and one dropped down right in front of my face from the top of the frame. I'm terrified of spiders, so I slammed the door and appreciated the view from inside.
It's too bad since I'd read several reviews talking about bears being spotted in the river, but there was no way I was playing with spiders.
Coming up...early morning in Gatlinburg, Clingmans Dome, and 6 states in one day.
I need to get back to your TR and a few others in the Disney/Uni TR section. We've just been so busy with work and sports. I've slacked on so much of late. I'm so glad you posted that, because the cabana really made the day. It spoiled us as well and I see more cabana rentals in our future! 
