Several years ago we drove through Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains and the impact on me was immediate. What a place to set a thriller! Isolated, desolate in many places and the mountain people we spoke to were as diverse as you can get. Some were cold and suspicious, others warm, friendly and welcoming. I couldn't get enough of the area, the people and atmosphere, and so STONES THROW came into being. One of the most memorable research experiences was learning about moonshine from Roger Brashear of the Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg, TN. The stories he told of growing up in East Tennessee were invaluable, and the tales he told of his grandmother's devotion to her Sunday cup of moonshine helped me mold Gert, Rick McCoy's moonshine-loving grandmother. This summer we had an opportunity to revisit the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and National Park area. Highlights were white water rafting on the Big Pigeon River, Cades Cove (a *phenomenal* place!), Louise Mandrell theater and, of course, Dollywood. (Much to my husband's and son's disappointment Dolly wasn't in attendance.) Cherokee Indian Reservation is only thirty five miles from Gatlinburg, right across the N.C. border, and is well worth the time and drive. I hope you enjoy these photos and memories as much as we do. Click the links below to view our vacation photos or return to the main page Cherokee Reservation | Cherokee Reservation pg.2 | Cherokee Reservation pg.3 Cades Cove | Cades Cove pg.2 | Smoky Scenes | Smoky Scenes pg.2 Bella Vista | Bella Vista pg.2 | Bella Vista pg.3 | Bella Vista pg.4 | Bella Vista pg.5 White water rafting | Rafting Pg.2 | Rafting pg.3 Smoky Skies | Smoky Skies - yellow sunset | Smoky Skies - pink sunset Horseback riding | Louise Mandrell Theater | Dollywood Home