It Will Be a Sad Day in Gatlinburg For Me If...

I don’t want to think about any of these things I’m about to discuss, but it’s possible all of them could happen in my lifetime. I was late to the Gatlinburg “party.” The early 2010’s was my starting point, so I witnessed the very early stages of legal “moonshine,” and have since seen a staggering amount of changes in just a span of 13 years. It has grown exponentially as a tourist destination, which means it’s undergone many changes the older generation—and in some respects the new, as well—have more or less not welcomed. I want to give you my perspective that could ruin my enjoyment of this tourist town that I have only visited since 2011.

Preface

This is me at some of my most honest moments. I’m not trying to ruffle feathers; it’s just my way of conveying thoughts to you all. I actually think most of you will agree with many of these, whether you’ve been visiting for 5 years or 50. There’s more in this essay I could expound, but I would seriously entertain a Part 2 with this topic. I’m not some Yankee who seeks to change anyone’s way of life. This is a place for me try and spread my positivity and encourage those people, who may not appreciate this place for what it is, to maybe think differently and not be so hateful to people like myself who only want to peacefully live life to the fullest in Tennessee. Let’s all turn the page, shall we?