Okay, so I didn't mean for this to be a 2-parter but I promise this will be the last column I write about my vacation.

We went to the Great Smoky Mountains. We found ourselves at the Newfoundland Gap which is on the Tennessee and North Carolina border. This is the highest point along the Newfoundland Gap road with an elevation of 5048 feet. It had the most spectacular views, but was a bit scary that high up. It was so scary that you could almost touch the clouds, or so it seemed.

Of course you can't go to the Smoky Mountains without being entertained by at least one of the Ripley's features. Such as Ripley's Aquarium, Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, Ripley's Mini-Golf, Ripley's Moving Theater 4-D and Ripley's Haunted Adventure.

My favorite was the Ripley's Aquarium. It is a $50 million aquarium and contains 1.3 million gallons of water. Let me tell you, it was a sight!

It also had 10,000 exotic sea creatures moving on a 340 foot long glide path, shark lagoon which gives you the feeling of being inside the aquarium tank. Knowing that there is nothing between you and "Jaws" but the Aquarium's glass will definitely give you a rush.

They also had a tropical rainforest, ocean realm, coral reef, shark lagoon, discovery center, gallery of the seas and a sting ray bay where you can touch one.

It was so beautiful and such an amazing experience. If you are ever in Gatlinburg, Tenn., stop for a good long while.