Clifftop Restaurant - Anakeesta Mountain

Here we are in Gatlinburg, Tennessee once again. This time, we are high atop the city, landing atop Anakeesta mountain. On the mountain there are many options of activities including rides and attractions, apparel shops, and of course restaurants. Today's offering brings us to the Clifftop Restaurant. 

After touring the mountain for several hours, Patty and I were hungry and ready for dinner. It seemed Clifftop was beckoning us to enter. And we dd.  

We were greeted and brought to a table with an incredible view of the mountainside. Did I say incredible? Yes, yes I did. 

In a minute or two, our waitress returned and took our dinner selections. For starters I ordered the fried cheese balls with marinara sauce. As you can see above, there was plenty of cheese balls. I didn't count them but lets say plenty of them. 

And they were very tasty, hot. At this point I was satisfied as well as Patty. The marinara sauce might i say was zesty. A very good start for dinner indeed.

My dinner choice was a bacon cheeseburger with french fires and a diet Coke. As you can see above, the portions were very generous. 

The burger was well done and plentiful. And let me say, it did not disappoint. The burger was well done and very tasty. The American cheese along with the bacon strips (Three of them) completed the burger. It was very tasty. 

As for the french fries. Plentiful, well cooked, and the taste, well, very good. And the price? Very affordable. And the experience? Very excellent my friends. 

By the way, this is where we sat. To our left was the amazing view of Anakeesta mountain. 

The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 5 out of 5 shots and recommends Clifftop Restaurant for lunch and dinner.

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Gloria Jeans Southern Park Mall

 

Location: Southern Park Mall  - Boardman, Ohio Food Court.

Gloria Jean's Coffees stands right outside of the food court. Yes, they sold coffee, snacks, small sandwiches and novelties. Seating for four as you can see the four chairs and small counter that is bellied up to the coffee stand. 

I just was at the mall several days ago and lo and behold, Gloria Jeans is now out of business. Even the sign has been removed, Yes, some will say they see a Christmas tree right below the American flag but I have an answer for that. I snapped this photo in late December. (So we have that) 

Anyway, all the machinery for the coffee and deserts has been removed, It is a completely empty shell sitting in what I believe to be prime real estate at the mall. 

I did ask people there at the food court if they ever did purchase coffee there, and several replied that they did, and it was good coffee so we have that. 

In saying, the Grassy Knoll rewards Gloria jeans 2.5 out of 5 shots for their coffee offering. 

And...... My understanding is that the Southern Park Mall, with roughly 16 real estate locations available, will be vacant as the mall will be closing before Christmas season. 

There, I said it. The mall will be gone. 

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At First I Was Afraid

So last night, perhaps even the night before, I began pondering, (I hate pondering, it never gets me anywhere)  Anyway, I pondered what in this entire universe makes me afraid? 

Seriously. 

Trump - Yes.

Ford - Perhaps.

The Time Warp - Time is fleeting. Madness fills my soul. 

Halloween - No. Not at all. 

Technically speaking, or typing, since my retirement I do no believe there is anything that frightens me. 

So, this next verse written below doesn't really mean a thing. 

Sorry Gloria. 

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Thinking I could live without you by my side
And after spending nights
Thinking how you did me wrong
I grew strong
And I learned how to get along  

And now I'm back.

However, this next set are lyrics to the Rocky Horror Picture Show "Time Warp" completes this post.

It's astounding
Time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely
Not for very much longer
I've got to keep control

I remember doing the time warp
Drinking those moments when
The blackness would hit me
And the void would be calling

Let's do the time warp again
Let's do the time warp again

It's just a jump to the left
And a step to the right
Put your hands on your hips
And bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
It really drives you insane

Let's do the time warp again
Let's do the time warp again

Well I was walking down the street just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook-a me up and took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck and those devil's eyes
He stared at me, and I felt the change
Time meant nothing, never would again

Let's do the time warp again
Let's do the time warp again

It's just a jump to the left
And  a step to the right
You put your hands on your hips
And bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
It really drives you insane

Let's do the time warp again
Let's do the time warp again

It's just a jump to the left
And a step to the right
You put your hands on your hips
And  bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
It really drives you insane

Let's do the time warp again
Let's do the time warp again

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Party Poppers To Ring In The New Year 2025

 

Happy New Year my friends, family, and surfers. Yes, I know it is Thursday the 2nd of the new year 2025, but hey, who really cares? 

Anyways, about 10 minutes before midnight, (That is 11:50PM for those keeping score, and time) Patty asked me if I still had some party poppers to shoot off for the new year. 

After searching for roughly 5 minutes, I found them. As you can see by the picture posted above, they are Party 2000 Poppers, a 24 pack, from Phantom Fireworks. Phantom is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio but have fireworks showrooms and warehouses throughout the country. Seriously, sign onto your computer or cell phone and dial up www.fireworks.com. 

Back to the poppers. Party 2000 Poppers were created by Phantom several years before the new millennium. (Roughly 1997) Yes folks, I have had this bag of poppers for over 25 years. Shocking I know!!!

Anyway, I tore open the bag, spilled out the poppers onto the table, and we all grabbed them and waited for Anderson and Andy from CNN to count down to the new year. At the stroke of midnight, we let loose and fired off those party poppers. 

Firstly, they all worked and popped loud and true. Secondly, we all cheered and yelled HAPPY NEW YEAR. Although I am 65 years old, I felt like a 10 year old once more. 

All 24 poppers were shot, and all 24 were true. A fantastic time had by all. All three F's fell into play. (What are the three F's.) Easy, they are Food, Family, and Fireworks. 

Cleanup would occur in the morning. (Or perhaps early afternoon)

A huge shout out to Bruce Zoldan, Alan Zoldan, and the amazing staff around the country. Just like Thee Ohio State Buckeyes, Phantom Fireworks is the best damn fireworks company in the land. 

I will visit you all this upcoming season. (Perhaps leave a sandwich for me in June.)

Merry Christmas from the Grassy Knoll Institute.

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Sitting On My Throne

 

Welcome back my friends,... And enemies. 

Christmas is directly right around the corner. Less than one day away. 

Anyway, this is me at Kraynaks Christmas Land in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. 

I am casually sitting on my throne. Several queries are running through my mind. 

1) Will the Vikings defeat the Green Bay Slackers this weekend? (Yes, they will!)

2) Will Elon Musk buy out future president Donald Trump so he can cut through a mountain of red tape to push his electric car production to more than 100 cars a year? (No, he will not)(But he hopes to)

3) Whats for dinner? (Steamers restaurant, cheeseburger and fries and diet Coke)(Hello Jeremy)

4) Why, and where the Hell is Hermitage?  (The location, well, of course, is located in Hermitage, Pennsylvania)

The iron throne will appear in several more updates in future updates.

Merry Christmas from the Grassy Knoll Institute.

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Aunt Mahalias Home Made Candy

 

Welcome to Aunt Mahalia's Home Made Candy shop. Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right on the corner of the strip coming in from the 441 highway. I have been going to Gatlinburg for over 45 years and always make it a habit to stop in and buy just about everything in the store with chocolate. And let me tell you, they have a wide variety of delicious treats.

This time, this day, just last week, I bought some of my favorite candy confection. As you can see, it has melted chocolate on top. Below of course it has very good tasting cashews. I don't know how many, perhaps, 10 cashews. Intertwined is a caramel swirl that holds this delightful piece of candy together. 

Let me pause for just a moment please....

OK, I'm back. 

Of course the taste was out of this world. Seriously, out of this world. I cannot eat just one. (And neither can you) I bought six pieces, yes, six pieces. I ate two of them in mere minutes. 

The cost, seriously, not bad. Remember this place should be in Christmas Town. However, each one cost $1.50. (Well worth the cost. Even for an old retired chocolate junkie like myself)

The Grassy Knoll highly recommends Aunt Mahalia's Home Made Candy for all your chocolate desires. 

 The Grassy Knoll Institute scores 5 out of 5 shots and highly recommends Aunt Mahalia's for at any time you feel the need for brilliant tasting chocolate. 

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Eddies Grill Back Patio Geneva On The lake

 

So, yes I know I missed the Halloween season. And yes, it is my upmost favorite time of the year. October is the time of year where my blog flourishes with wonderful people, (And some crazy people) coming to see what is up in my town during All Hallows Eve. I love reading all the comments from each post. And I must say, many are very clever, and mostly humorous. (I get paid for doing this) LOL

Anyway, this post is a first of its kind for the Grassy Knoll Institute. Take a close look at the Eddies Grill billboard above. See that crazy guy holding a spatula and a famous Eddies Grill cheeseburger? (Go ahead, I'll wait a few seconds) 

Yes, Eddies Grill, located on Geneva On The Lake, is now closed. Eddies closed early September and will reopen on Mothers Day weekend in May of 2025. 

Getting back. See that guy smiling. Wearing glasses. That's me. The Curator of the Grassy Knoll Institute. 

I know this is not a Halloween themed post, but hey, I do look a little spooky. OK, a lot spooky. 

However, its taken me 45 years working at my job to get this far. And I have had so much fun working. 

But, last week I retired. Halloween day was my last day. 

Anyway, as I have stated in past Halloween posts, I am not leaving my blog. I will be the last person blogging, even if I am the last one. In fact, I welcome that. 

I am making a promise that I will have at least 20 Halloween posts for the 2025 October season. I guarantee this statement. 

I patiently await comments. Please let them fly. Or swim. Or walk. Or Waltz. 

Happy Halloween (Or November)

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Wonder Works Pigeon Forge

 

Wonder Works, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at 100 Music Road, Pigeon Forge, TN, 37763. 

Do you see the parking lot? It looks packed, only a few parking spaces available. I wondered why! I mean I have driven by this establishment maybe one hundred times and never did it dawn on me pull in, park my car, and see what wonders the attraction had to offer. 

(Side note. I will be there in early November, and I will take the tour. A report with plenty of photos will follow.)

Anyway, as you look at the building, you immediately notice that it is upside down. The entrance is in the center of the bottom. 

Inside the Wonder Works, it offers hundreds of exhibits, plus laser tag, a rope course, and a 4D motion ride. I have to believe the exhibit is well planned and entertaining. 

However, there is one exhibit I was told about inside the building. It is attached to the RMS Titanic disaster sinking from 1912. Of course, the exhibit had photos of the Titanic ship, both inside and outside. But one part of the exhibit, there is a vat of water. The inscription simply read, inside this vase, this is the temperature of the ocean water the night the Titanic sunk after ramming into an iceberg. A sign states that the water temperature that night was 28 degrees. It also dares you to put your hand in the water to see how long you can keep it under the cold water.

Las Vegas Luxor also has a Titanic exhibit with the Big Piece of the ship that they raised. It also has the cold water exhibit with eh cold water. And, I did put my hand in the water. My hand lasted just about ten seconds. I pulled my hand out and rubbed it to warm my hand up. 

Second Side Note: By the way, although the Wonder Works building appears to be upside down on the outside. On the inside, it is not. 

When in Pigeon Forge, try the Wonder Works exhibit and let us know how it was for you.

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