Hello, Dolly!!

I waited my entire adult life to visit Dollywood. Something about it just captured my interest. I am happy to report it was worth the wait. I'm not an amusement park person, really, but Dollywood is a little haven of food, fun, and great music nestled in the heart of the scenic Smokeys. I have always been a fan of Dolly's, and I admire her upbeat attitude. She has done a lot for her hometown community, and her heart is as big as her......well, you know. Just big.

Dollywood is a sweet place. The grounds are immaculate and lavishly decorated. They had displays of adorable flower pot people around every bend. My family tired quickly of my curious fascination with the flower pot people, but I did coax a single photo op. I snapped this quickly, in between lots of eyeball rolling. Aren't they cute? The flower pot people, I mean??

One of my favorite things to see at the park was Dolly's tour bus. The bus retired this year after 15 years on the road. It logged over 600,000 miles. It cost about $750,000 to build, and was replaced this year by a new bus costing $2.7 million. Dolly had the same driver for all 15 years on this bus, and he never got a speeding ticket or traffic violation. This bus could make it from Nashville to LA on a single tank of gas. It has a trash compactor, dishwasher, and garden tub. For some reason, it really tickled me to be on the very bus where Dolly spent so much time. I made The Old Buzzard pose for a photo near the driver's seat. I told him he may end up being my driver someday when I am famous and on tour. But first I need to learn to carry a tune in a bucket. For now I'm about as popular as a flowerpot person, and the only touring I do is in a crowded minivan with soiled floor mats. Anyway, the bus was quite a sight, and I hope I someday get to tour the $2.7 million model!