Taking Baby Bo to Pigeon Forge - a Live JenniferS Trip Report (7/23 - 8/8)

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
So.many.bears. So, so many in the Smokies!

Fun fact: Orlando also has a black bear problem. So much so that I had a friend who couldn’t let her kids wait at the school bus stop for fear of a possible bear attack. The tear through trash cans, get into people’s pool enclosures, etc. Seems crazy but it’s true - just google and lots of articles will come up!
Love the photos! No matter how far away I travel, every time I see the Appalachians, my heart tells me I’m home. ❤️

When we took the Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge in June the guide pointed out one of the nature reserves WDW has that is adjacent to AKL. She said that there are some bear that live in that plot of land. I was a little surprised but I remembered hearing about the bear problem in Florida awhile back. I live in northern Wisconsin and there are plenty of bear in our area, there is a nice walking trail through a wooded area nearby but I refuse to go by myself there because a couple of bear have been spotted there occasionally.
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Warning … multiple posts of photo dump coming up. We drove to Great Smokey Mountains National Park today. I took a lot of pics!

I’ll cheat and start with the headliner, on our way back down. Came around a bend and traffic was dead stopped. Why? you ask?

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What a cutie
Very cate as it's not trying to get at my bird feeders
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
When we took the Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge in June the guide pointed out one of the nature reserves WDW has that is adjacent to AKL. She said that there are some bear that live in that plot of land. I was a little surprised but I remembered hearing about the bear problem in Florida awhile back. I live in northern Wisconsin and there are plenty of bear in our area, there is a nice walking trail through a wooded area nearby but I refuse to go by myself there because a couple of bear have been spotted there occasionally.
I carry a small airhorn. Generally black bears are more afraid of you than you are of them but it always pays to be careful
 

PUSH

Well-Known Member
When we took the Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge in June the guide pointed out one of the nature reserves WDW has that is adjacent to AKL. She said that there are some bear that live in that plot of land. I was a little surprised but I remembered hearing about the bear problem in Florida awhile back. I live in northern Wisconsin and there are plenty of bear in our area, there is a nice walking trail through a wooded area nearby but I refuse to go by myself there because a couple of bear have been spotted there occasionally.
We don't have bears down here (southern Wisconsin, for those who don't know), but occasionally get a report of a stray bear making their way down south to mate. A few years ago one made it's way all the way down to Missouri. It stopped in our town and was seen in a tree by the old Kmart and on the college campus. I just Googled it, and unfortunately it died in Louisiana in June 2021. :(
 

Swissmiss

Premium Member
Well this is embarrassing.

Open box (or bag) of meatballs, dump in slow cooker. Pour one full bottle of Diana Sauce on top. Fill empty bottle about 1/2 way with water … shake it … pour that on top. Set it and forget it.

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No reason to be embarrassed - I’m all for the quick and easy. I’ve only had a crockpot for about a year so I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t. I’ll have to pick up a bag of meatballs from IKEA and find a good bbq sauce and try this out. 😊
 

trr1

Well-Known Member
So.many.bears. So, so many in the Smokies!

Fun fact: Orlando also has a black bear problem. So much so that I had a friend who couldn’t let her kids wait at the school bus stop for fear of a possible bear attack. The tear through trash cans, get into people’s pool enclosures, etc. Seems crazy but it’s true - just google and lots of articles will come up!
Love the photos! No matter how far away I travel, every time I see the Appalachians, my heart tells me I’m home. ❤️
the orlando black bear
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Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
No reason to be embarrassed - I’m all for the quick and easy. I’ve only had a crockpot for about a year so I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t. I’ll have to pick up a bag of meatballs from IKEA and find a good bbq sauce and try this out. 😊
We went grocery shopping on Monday, and I had to exercise all my willpower not to buy one of the Instant Pots they had on sale.
if you was the dishes I'll cook. I love to cook also pinterest is great
That’s our deal. Whoever cooks, the other one washes up. Mostly, he washes.
 

JenniferS

When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
Original Poster
We went grocery shopping on Monday, and I had to exercise all my willpower not to buy one of the Instant Pots they had on sale.

That’s our deal. Whoever cooks, the other one washes up. Mostly, he washes.
We have two Instant Pots. The regular 6 quart one everyone has, and the extra large 8 quart one that we bought for ribs. We’ve never used the regular one since. Once I figure out where to store it, I’m going to put it in the RV.

Best recommendation I can give you if you do buy one is - go on Amazon and buy the ceramic coated non-stick inner pot. You’ll never again use the metal inner pot it comes with.

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Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
We have two Instant Pots. The regular 6 quart one everyone has, and the extra large 8 quart one that we bought for ribs. We’ve never used the regular one since. Once I figure out where to store it, I’m going to put it in the RV.

Best recommendation I can give you if you do buy one is - go on Amazon and buy the ceramic coated non-stick inner pot. You’ll never again use the metal inner pot it comes with.

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Argh, I just can’t get used to the idea of “dump it all in an appliance and return to a fully cooked meal”.

You know those famous 30-minute recipes? I can make them take at least 45. Sometimes 60.

Maybe someday I’ll be seriously tempted by a slow cooker or an instant pot.
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Argh, I just can’t get used to the idea of “dump it all in an appliance and return to a fully cooked meal”.

You know those famous 30-minute recipes? I can make them take at least 45. Sometimes 60.

Maybe someday I’ll be seriously tempted by a slow cooker or an instant pot.
I mostly use the IP for beans, rice, yogurt and sometimes soup/stock as I can use frozen meat. I've been known to have all 3 of my 8qt going at once.
 

JenniferS

When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
Original Poster
Argh, I just can’t get used to the idea of “dump it all in an appliance and return to a fully cooked meal”.

You know those famous 30-minute recipes? I can make them take at least 45. Sometimes 60.

Maybe someday I’ll be seriously tempted by a slow cooker or an instant pot.
Instant Pots and slow cookers are complete opposites. 30 minute roast vs 6 hour roast.
 

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