By ELLEN BROWN

Staff Writer

GATLINBURG — Thanksgiving Day didn’t seem to keep the crowds away from downtown Gatlinburg. In fact, the area was busy as ever with numerous attractions, shops and restaurants open.

It was the first Thanksgiving holiday away from home for Warren Murrell and his son, Brooks, 10, both of Mandeville, La.

“We’re here for a football tournament,” Warren said. “We’re staying at the Edgewater Hotel, and they’re having a Thanksgiving meal for us.”

For the Long family of Chattanooga, Gatlinburg is the perfect place “to relax and get away.”

“It’s a short drive from Chattanooga, and there’s a lot to do,” said Kim Long, who was joined by husband Steve, children Jordan and Cody and family friend John Townsend. “We’ve rented a cabin, and we’ll eat Thanksgiving dinner there — I’ll be making something quick and easy.”

The mountains seemed to be a nice Thanksgiving getaway from Savannah, Ga., where the Burkhalter family had spent many holidays with a loved one they recently lost. Cathy Burkhalter’s husband was killed in a car wreck last year. This holiday season she is especially thankful to be with her children, including Heather, 19; Brad, 16; Ben, 13; and Brett, 8.

“We’re actually staying in Pigeon Forge,” Cathy said. “We just got into Gatlinburg and visited the wax museum. We had a late breakfast, so we don’t know where we’ll be eating Thanksgiving dinner.”

George and Karen Rodgers of Camden, Ind., visited Gatlinburg for their honeymoon years ago. They decided to return to the spot this year, just the two of them.

“We’ve got seven kids and 16 grandkids between us,” Carol said. “On Christmas Eve, there are 40 people at our house, and half of them are under the age of 7! We decided to take a breather for Thanksgiving.”

The couple planned to eat at Lineberger’s for their Thanksgiving meal “if they’re open,” George said.

Angie Gentry of Cartersville, Ga., and her sister, Brenda Smith of Carrollton, Ga., agreed that the Smoky Mountains were the perfect place to spend Thanksgiving with their families.

“We don’t get to see each other that often, and this is my favorite place to visit,” Brenda said.

“It’s beautiful — I love all the woodwork around here,” said Brenda’s son Landon, 17.

The group, which also included Angie’s children, Cortney and Caleb, had spent the morning scouting out restaurants.

“We’re still looking for that perfect Thanksgiving dinner!” ebrown@themountainpress.com