From one fellow texacan to another:
Smokey Mountains in the eastern part of the
GREEEEAAAT state of Tennessee.
Beautifull mountains, crystal clear creeks and rivers, fine little cabins located further in the mountanous area surrounding Gatlinburg. If your wife likes to shop, Gatlinburg is the place. Got a fine rifle shop too! Want to ski and have a great evening in the finest German tradition, Ober Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is called the gateway to the Smokies and it is just that. No park in the US is visited more often in the US, than the Smokies. You will be in the off season, so your choices of stays will be good and Gatlinburg won't be as crowded. If your up to a day hike to the highest peak, Mt. LaCont is suppost to be an awesome experience. If crowds are not your thing, just go deeper in the park and Appalachins. A trip you won't regret!
Can you tell, I'm a bit biased? You won't regret it. I think I said that already? [:)]