Brent hope you have extra batteries and memory cards for the gopro and can share with us some cool footage like before. Best of luck and safe travels. If you are coming nearby on interstate 81 in NE TN there is a great BBQ pork and beef place you should stop and try, Ridgewood Barbeque. Barber is about 5.5 hours from here if you don't hit too much traffic. If you like Mexican with a twist, Chipotle Mexican grills have great food and for chain inexpensive (relatively speaking) I highly recommend Pei Wei Asian fusion style restaurant. The later is Mark Pi's less expensive chain of more fast food style but still a sit down and eat place but they do a large volume of carry out...both do really.
Pigeon Forge, if you are going to be on I40 north of Knoxville, has at least one or two Moonshine Distillery tasting room/outlets with the distilleries in Gatlinburg or other not too distant locales. Ole Smoky Tenneessee Distilleries has an excellent Salted Caramel Whiskey I am told, lots of good moonshines and whiskeys. Their distillery tour in Gatlinburg I believe does not charge for tastings afterwards...limited quantity. No clue if the outlets in Pigeon Forge do or not. If going up I75, Pigeon Forge is not that far away, nor is Gatlinburg. Tail of the Dragon is not that far from Knoxville if you wish to include it and Cherohala Highway into your trip. The later is very much worth the detour and the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great drive especially this time of year.
If you are near the TN/VA border where I81 passes, let me know...I will meet you for lunch or otherwise if you like...
