⛰️ ROADTRIP #1 - SMOKY MOUNTAINS 🚗
For my First Road Trip in the US, I am leaving Franklin behind to set off toward one of Tennessee’s most iconic treasures: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was the perfect excuse to use the long Labor Day weekend for a 3‑day solo adventure—my very first American road trip.
Day 1- The Road to the Mountains
Saturday morning, I jumped into my Camaro and hit the highway. After about five hours on the interstate I-40, the landscape slowly shifted from flat Tennessee roads to rolling hills and dense forests. My first stop: Townsend, a small, authentic mountain town that feels like the quiet gateway to the Smokies.
Townsend is also the starting point of the Foothills Parkway, a scenic road I had been dreaming of driving. My plan was simple: find beautiful overlooks, fly my drone, capture some unforgettable aerial shots. But… the road had other plans for me.
The Foothills Parkway is one of those drives where you forget everything else. The curves, the views, the feeling of freedom—my Camaro was in its element, and so was I. I didn’t even make it to the end of the road because I spent so much time enjoying the drive itself. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed after the long morning on the interstate.
As the sun started to set, I headed toward Pigeon Forge, where I had decided to stay for two nights. Since it was my first solo road trip in the US, I wanted to feel safe and comfortable. Instead of booking online, I chose my motel once I arrived—this way I could check the area, make sure it felt secure for a young (and beautiful, of course) woman traveling alone… and also make sure my car would be safe.
Once settled, it was time to explore. Pigeon Forge at night is something else: neon lights everywhere, attractions, music, families walking around, and a kind of joyful chaos that feels very American. I took a night drive through the city, discovering its lively atmosphere and grabbing something to eat before heading back to rest for the big day ahead.
Day 2 - Into the Mountains
The second morning of my Smoky Mountains adventure started with excitements, my plan was simple and ambitious—take the legendary US‑441, cross the Smokies from west to est and head toward Asheville. A perfect mix of scenic beauty and fun driving.
Well… almost. Plans change… Because of recent storms, US‑441 was closed. Not ideal, but honestly, I wasn’t too disappointed. I wasn’t here to tick boxes, and the mountains aren’t going anywhere; I’ll have other chances to come back. So I adapted, and took I-40, less charming, less twisty, but still beautiful in its own way. I grabbed something to eat along the way and kept going, excited for the next part of the journey.
My real goal of the day was reaching the Blue Ridge Parkway. A dream road for anyone who loves driving and nature. I started from Asheville and headed south. The views were incredible—layers of blue mountains fading into the horizon, forests stretching endlessly, and that peaceful feeling you only get at high altitude. I stopped at several overlooks to enjoy the scenery, each stop felt like stepping into a postcard:
As a fun fact: the Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long. I wasn’t going to drive all of it today, but even a small portion to the south was enough to understand why it’s so famous.
My destination for the afternoon was Fontana Lake, a calm, deep-blue reservoir surrounded by mountains. The perfect place to breathe, relax, and take in the moment during sunset.
The sky was getting darker and I could feel the miles adding up. It was time to head back to my motel in Pigeon Forge and find something to eat. On the way, I realized something important: Next time, I won’t book two nights in the same place. Not because Pigeon Forge wasn’t great—it actually surprised me again with its lively atmosphere—but because staying flexible would give me more freedom to stop wherever I want, whenever I want.
Still, I ended the day grateful, tired, and excited for what tomorrow would bring. Time to rest—Day 3 was waiting for me.
Day 3 - One Last Breath of Freedom Before Heading Home
Exhausted from the miles of the previous day, I still woke up with that familiar excitement: I wasn’t ready to leave the mountains just yet. Before getting back on the interstate toward home, I wanted to enjoy a little more of what I had missed on Day 1—the rest of the Foothills Parkway.
So off I went, rooftop down, country music playing, sun warming my shoulders, and the wind tangling my hair. It felt like the perfect recipe to breathe out all the tension and stress I had carried for months while preparing my V.I.E adventure and settling into my new life in the US. The goal was simple: feel the moment, feel the dream coming true.
There were a lot of emotions swirling inside me—excitement, gratitude, pride—but the sensations of the road kept everything balanced. The timing of this road trip couldn’t have been better. It arrived exactly when I needed it. And honestly? This road is an absolute dream. Smooth curves, endless views, and that iconic Cove Bridge that looks like it belongs in a movie. I wasn’t the only one enjoying it—there were motorcycles everywhere, gliding along the asphalt like they owned the place.
Once I reached Tallassee, instead of heading straight back, I chose to wander through the Tennessee countryside on small country roads. Rolling hills, farms, quiet valleys—it was the kind of peaceful drive that makes you slow down without even noticing.
Eventually, I rejoined US‑40 and continued my way back home, my phone full of photos and my mind full of memories. But more importantly, I carried something deeper: the realization that my life in the US is truly beginning—and that I want to make the most of it. This road trip wasn’t just a weekend getaway. It was a reminder of why I came here, what I’m capable of, and how much I want to explore, learn, and grow during this experience.
Roadtrip Statistics
- Length: 3 days
- Miles: 840 miles
- Total Budget: $300 (Gas: $75, Accomodation: $180, Activities : $0)