Gater Ride and LumberJack Show - Day 4

Scott and I were up just after 7:30 to get breakfast started and packed for the day.  After pancakes, we got on the road around 8:45 and headed toward Fox Fire Mountain.  It’s a really fun place to spend the day.  They offer ziplining, gater rides, rockwall climbing, hiking, and llamas.   We got checked in and waited only a few minutes for our guide to orient us.

We signed up for the Bear Crawler, the very exhilarating gater ride.  The kids LOVED the bumps, the curves, and the splashes too!  Honestly, we were drenched within 5 minutes of leaving the base camp.

We made a few stops along the way.  First was an abandoned iron ore mine.  Years back, the owner blasted it closed.  They now allow visitors to climb the face of it… some 50 feet, near vertical with only a rope to support you as you climb the slippery red clay/dirt below your feet.  Of course, Sammy was quick to volunteer to go first and I, of course, had to follow.  Tyler followed behind me and then Scott.  It was crazy.  Several times Sammy said she couldn’t make it but Tyler encourage “don’t say you can’t!” and they persisted.  We were covered in mud and sweat and every muscle shaking by the time we reached the top… but we did reach it!!  We were both so proud of those kids.

When we got back to the trail, the guide shared that in the 5 years they had worked the course, he had only seen 4 or 5 adults climb it in flip flops (like Scott and I had on).  It was a good boost to my self-esteem for sure.

The ride continued to a small waterfall that we could explore.  The fresh cool water was a welcome surprise for all of us!  We all enjoyed a short soak and took advantage of the chance to clean up a bit.  The red clay was hard to get off.

  

The tour finished with another splash in the creek and a picture with our guide. 

We explored the base camp a bit more.  Scott took advantage of some good ole Tennessee pulled pork and Sammy the homemade ice cream.  Then we walked across the longest expansive rope bridge in the US. 

We got home around 12:30 pm; all of us ready for showers and some lunch.  Then we spent a quiet afternoon in the RV.   Tyler, Mom and Dad watched the Titanic as a follow up to our museum visit last night while Sammy took some quiet time watching movies in her bed. 

At 4:30 pm we headed out for our Lumberjack Feud Dinner Show.   This is the same show we watched last year, but the kids really enjoyed it and specially-requested we do it  again.

As we made the way to our seats, we were surprised by how close we were… front row, center of the stage.  Wow!  The show was a lumberjack competition between two rival families with 18 exhibitions including dog jumps and climbing.  It was fabulous.  The kids cheered our team on as they worked through each event.  Tyler was the most eager kid in the place… laughing hysterically at the corny jokes, cheering / jeering at the teams.  It was so much fun.  Sammy loved the dog tricks the best and laughed every time someone fell in the water.

After we finished eating, a cast member approached and asked the kids if they would “help” for a portion of the show.  They of course eagerly agreed not even questioning what it would entail.  I tried to warn the gal, but she reassured me it would be great.  So, halfway through the show, the kids went out on the floor and competed in a sling shot competition.  

Tyler lobbed a few down before finding his sweet spot.  He got 4 points in 30 seconds; Sammy was jumping and cheering behind him.  Sammy, well, missed every shot.  But, if there were points for the furthest shot, she would have won by a landslide!  Tyler held her doll Margaret and faithfully encouraged her as she tried. 

 

It was a great night for sure!  I cannot even count how many times the kids thanked us for taking them to the show.  Tyler cannot wait to show everyone back home the video of their moment in the spotlight!  He is so proud of himself and I love to see that confidence in him. 

We headed home at 7:30 pm to watch a movie and head to bed. 

AMAZING day!  We all had so much fun!!

Time Travel (1818 & 1912) and an Alpine Slide

We all needed a good sleep so I wasn't too upset when I woke up (first one) at 8:30 am.  It felt good to get a solid rest in.  We had a nice breakfast and got ready to start the day.  While Scott packed the Jeep, the kids helped me to pack a picnic lunch.  We left the RV park around 11:00 am heading toward Smoky Mountain National Park.

Of course, the place is gorgeous!  We stopped briefly at the Gatlinburg Visitor Center for some motor tour maps and a Access Pass for Sammy (she will get free entry into all national parks for life).  As we left the visitor center we headed west toward Cades Cove.  We made a few stops to check out the scenery.

 

At noon, Sammy decided it was time for lunch, so we had to eat.  There wasn't a good place to stop so we just ate our picnic lunch in the car and kept moving.

Cades Cove is a beautiful valley set between the mountains that is rich in history.  It was home to several families who settled the area.  The park put in an 11-mile one-way loop to tour the area which includes stops at several original buildings.  Its also said to be the best place in the park to see wildlife.  We took a hike to see inside the oldest home in the valley (dating to 1818), passed several original church buildings and learned a bunch about life during that era.  

 

 

Although we didn't see any bear, we did find 3 groups of turkeys and 6 deer.  When we were finished, we decided to leave the park on a different road.  It was actually an original path used by the settlement to exit the valley and once used as a Cherokee trail.  Today it is a one-way single lane gravel road that leads up and over a mountain to exit the park.  I'm so glad we took this trail... it was bumpy but beautiful.

On our way home, we an alpine slide park named Goats on the Roof.  Honestly, I never would have stopped based on the name alone, but it was awesome.  Sammy rode with me and Tyler and Scott shared a ride.

 

Next, we decided to get some ice cream for Sammy and fudge for Tyler.  It was just before 5 when we got back to the motor coach so the kids took a break while we made plans and I prepped dinner.

After Szechwan Shrimp & Rice, we headed out to the Titanic Museum.  It was well-worth the visit.  The employees all wore time-appropriate clothing and they had hands-on exhibits as well as actual pieces from the wreckage.  Sammy liked playing with the telephone-like listening devices we all received to listen to the tour.  Tyler enjoyed playing a video game what measured your reaction time to see if you could save the Titanic from hitting the iceberg in the 38 seconds the crew would have had.   My favorite part was the biographies on the survivors and Scott enjoyed reaching his hand into the cold water to simulate the temps of the ocean the night Titanic sank.  It was fascinating... Tyler couldn't get enough!

It was a big day again today.  There were a few tears before bedtime and we decided that tomorrow will require some down time.  

The weather has been warm... hit 90* today but with the light rain in the early afternoon, it was so humid!

We Have Arrived - Day 2

It seems like forever-ago since we woke up in our little rest area back in Ohio.  Its been a BIG day!

Our sleep was pretty short considering the day we had yesterday and given that Scott and I have been staying up late nights to prepare for this trip, it definitely could have been longer.  But 7:00 am seemed like a good time to start the day.  It was slick just getting up and having some cereal for breakfast, taking turns in the bathroom and getting dressed.

We recently have showed the kids how to geocache and it just so happens that there was one located at our rest stop... so we walked across the parking lot and looked for treasure.  We found it!  What a great way to start the day... fresh air and a bit of exercise!

We were on the road by 8:30 am... with 6 hours of driving remaining.  It was a smooth ride this morning.  The kids watched a movie before we stopped for fuel (and donuts).  Next the kids and I did Bible and worked on homework.

We decided to stop for lunch and found a McDonalds in a Flying J along the route.  As we pulled in the parking lot, our rear tire dropped into a HUGE pot hole and we had quite a rough ride... I mean cupboards open, stuff falling, the works!  There was no damage but we all agreed to eat lunch inside.

Once we got back on the road, the kids got another set of prizes for good behavior and I went to work on making reservations for our week.  I cannot wait to see how each day pans out... so EXCITED!  While I worked, Sammy took a turn in the Navigator's Seat.

Yup, she looks comfy

We hit a major traffic jam the last 10 miles and that last stretch took well over 45 minutes.  But we finally arrived and set up on our lot around 4:00 pm.  After we checked in, we ate supper and met our neighbor.  Then decided to head out for a little fun.

We didn't have much time so we decided to just do a quick ride on the SkyWheel, a giant ferris wheel in town to check out the views of the mountains.  What we didn't know is that the SkyWheel is at the far end of a major tourist attraction called the Island with musical fountains, games, stores, restaurants, etc.  We parked and walked the distance to get to the start of the complex.  (There goes my planned early bedtime).

Can you even see the Ferris Wheel in the distance?   Yup, that's how far we walked.

But as it usually is, it was worth it!  We had lots of fun on the Sky Wheel.

Then got some yummy treats... Frozen Yogurt and Auntie Annes.

I promise, they only offered one size bowl for the yogurt.

Just to be completely honest here.  The frozen yogurt place was self serve and then you paid by the weight.  So, Scott helped Sammy with the yogurt and then I helped with the whipped cream which she desperately wanted to do herself, and... well, this happened.

 

Let's just say, she was one happy girl!

We took a different route to finish touring the whole space... it really is a cool area and we'd love to come back.

Because it was getting late, we found a tram to take us back to our car.  Then we headed to Walmart for a few things, including a pair of shoes for Tyler.  (Side Note:  Did you know that literally every road trip we have taken as a family (even when he was a baby) we have lost a pair of Tyler's shoes on the ride down???  How is it even possible?  Seriously, we didn't even get out of the RV yesterday except to fill up fuel and its not like he was walking around barefoot... where did they go?)

We made it home a little before 10 and headed in to prep for bed... brush teeth, PJs, and a quick read... Good Night!

Its been a long but really good day!

Leg 1 of the Drive - Day 1

What a whirlwind today was!  It was all hands on deck at the Breen house, trying to get packed and loaded and finish up our chores as we prepped for our trip to Tennessee.  Thanks so much to Mom and Katie for all your work!   Scott came home a bit early so we could beat rush hour traffic.  We were on the road by 4:15 pm, just 15 minutes past our goal J

We had just barely left home when Scott noticed a few kids setting up a lemonade stand so we pulled over to be their very first customers.  Sure, we only had a $20 and neither of our kids drank the lemonade, but it was still fun to surprise these kids with their first sale.

Yes, that's the corner of Leonard and 24th in the background... less than a mile from home.

We ran into some stop-and-go traffic just east of Kalamazoo but I took advantage of the steady pace to quick whip up quesadillas for supper.  Instead of making a 30 minute stop, we pressed ahead and used those 30 minutes to make up for the traffic delay.  

Sammy kicked my butt in Chutes & Ladders before Tyler beat us both in Candy Land. 

Around 8:00 pm we stopped for fuel and to fill up our fresh water tank.  Tyler and Sammy both came out to the parking lot to help us! 

The kids did fabulous on the ride.  They were rewarded with a few small toys… Sammy loved her two small minion figures and Tyler got a spy toy that alters your voice.  The kids used that silly noise maker for miles…. eventually using it to ampilify their favorite songs on my phone.  They filled the coach with giggles and laughter (and some chipmunk sounding music).

Around 9:00 pm I got the kids their snacks and settled them in on the couch for a movie. 

We stopped at 10:18 pm in a small rest area near Piqua, OH.  We drove 297 miles today, logging just over 6 hours on the road. 

It was a fabulous first day.

2015 RV Trip to Tennessee - The Plan

Remember back in 2014, on our maiden voyage with the 2014 Discovery Motorcoach?  That trip we spent 10 days traveling through Tennessee, down to Myrtle Beach, through Columbus and back home.  Well as we were leaving the Smoky Mountain area of Tennessee, after just 3 days, Scott and I both agreed we could come back for an entire week.  As we talked through our options for this year's trip and hearing that the kids consider our time spent in Tennessee last year as one of their most memorable trips, we decided to take another go at it. 

So, on Friday we will set out for Sevierville, TN.  We decided to just drive as far as we can that evening without any reservations at an RV park.  Since we will be driving into the night and leaving right away in the morning, its hardly worth setting up camp.  So instead, we’ll look for a rest area or parking lot to stay over.  We’ll finish up our trip on Saturday and settle into our lot at the Dell at Hidden Mountain Resort.

We’ll stay until the following Friday and again take two days to make the 10.5 hour drive back home.  

I have a long list of things we hope to do on this trip but won’t take up space to share it all now.  Just know that we have an adventure in store!  Looking forward to another great trip and making many more memories with the family!