Smoky Mountains National Park
Gatlinburg, TN
          Arrived exhausted in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  Went directly to a tourist information center looking to see if they knew where there was a hostel or campground.
          The woman told me she could get me a free motel room for the night.  I was all for it.  After almost 1000 miles of driving and 2 nights camping I was ready for a stay in a motel.
          What did I have to do to get a free night in a motel?  I had to look at a timeshare.  A place called "Westgate".  She said it would only take an hour or so and all I had to do was attend.  No strings attached.  Free room no matter what. That sounded easy enough.

          Well, not for me.  I could be pursuaded to buy "London Bridge" if Lake Havasu hadn't already bought it!  Anyway, I went to the Westgate timeshare meeting and tour.  Convinced it was "a good deal" I put the $2,000 downpayment on my credit card.

          I was invited, along with the other new timeshare buyers, to a sort of "welcome breakfast".

          To make a long story short, when I got home 2 days later, I came to my senses and cancelled the deal.  Westgate credited my credit card for the amount of the deposit, but charged me for my "free" one night at the motel and they even charged for paperwork, and the "welcome breakfast"!      
Above:  My "free" motel room compliments of Westgate Resorts Gatlinburg, TN.  Whoops!  Not so "free" the resort  ended up charging it to my credit card anyway.
Sept. 29
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Below:  Westgate Resort.  Looked like a gorgeous place, but I'm glad I cancelled out on the timeshare.  If I hadn't been so tired  from my trip I would have complained, but I just didn't have the energy.  I hope I learned my lesson.
Below:  Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
          Back to the trip....had a relaxing night in the motel.  Camping is OK, but a nice, soft bed and a room with a shower is really appreciated.  It gave me time to sort through all my garbage and clean out the car a little bit.
          Before I went to bed, I took a walk around Gatlinburg.  It seemed like a safe, little tourist town. 
          The next day, after my Westgate Resort tour, I drove through the Smoky mountains.  Then found a hostel to spend the night.
Left:  Great Smoky Mountains National Park