Smokies: Part 5

The kids left the following notes for the cabin’s next guests:

On the pool table:

On the checkers table:


The sting of leaving was lessened by a trip to the Arcade in Pigeon Forge on the way out. 

They’re already talking about going back, to the same cabin of course.

Smokies Part 4: Last Night

We spent tonight redoing all our favorite things at the cabin. Chicken pot pie, Memory games, Old Maid, S’mores, pool and checkers. No one wanted to go to bed!

Watching the World Series:

I already can’t wait to do it again!

Smokies Part 3: Cades Cove

Today, we made the one hour trek from our cabin to Cades Cove. Cade was a bit woozy by the time we made it there after traversing the mountain roads: “My belly hurts, I don’t want to see my cove.”

Nonetheless, we enjoyed driving the 11 mile loop and making several stops along the way. The day was absolutely beautiful. 

Lunch beforehand (and ice cream, of course):

John Oliver Cabin, stop 1. It’s thought to be the oldest human built structure still standing in the Cove. 


We saw the Park Ranger covering berries someone had planted at the edge of the woods to attract bears. She directed our attention to these inhabitants of the house:

Stop at the old Methodist Church, which includes a door for women and men, customary at the time:

Whitehead Place, Lyla’s favorite: “This could really be nice if it was fixed up a little.”


In the corn crib across the road:


Cade was a real whittler today...he was super excited about his new pocket knife (Photo credit: Lance):

Here are a few we took along the beautiful way:

Words just can’t say how much I loved this day. 

Smokies Part 2

Today, we slept in and headed to Anakeesta in Gatlinburg. After skipping much of the line thanks to the advice of a man standing behind us to buy tickets on our phone, we headed up the mountain. Cade was relieved as he did not want to wait in the seemingly endless line. 

Lyla & Cade were thrilled to ride the mountain coaster. I took photos.

We were so surprised to run into Coach Kevin and his boys!

Lyla & Cade were so happy to enjoy ice cream, thanks to the fantastic attention to detail at the ice cream shop. The store manager, Debbie, was one of the most knowledgeable and compassionate employees I’ve ever met in assuring that they were both safe and able to enjoy an ice cream.

The kids loved panning for gemstones. Cade was really hoping to find real gold:

We ended the day back at the cabin with more family game time. 

“Oh, I played this tons of times when I was a kid.”


Fantastic day! 

The Smokies Part 1

I had a hard time blogging during the trip, so here is everything we did in the next few entries:

We were welcomed to our cabin by this guy:

He was right off our back deck helping himself to some plants in the backyard. He wasn’t remotely interested in us, but it was an awesome way to start our trip. We’ve never been this close to a bear. 

The kids love the game room in the basement. Cade is obsessed with all things MLB and beating Daddy at everything.

We love the video games, all 80s if course. 

And, the biggest hit is the hot tub on the back deck: 


Can’t want to explore tomorrow!

Gatlinburg!

On our way to Gatlinburg for a few days. Kids excited to hike in the Smokies and check out the town. Great day for driving, car crafts and Lucky Charms!

July 29, 2019

We spent our first day getting to know the ship...so much to do!! All the soft serve you can eat!

The Sail Away Party:




The Kids Club:


We love Tree, our room steward:


And, of course, Mickey Bars from room service!!!




Lance & I are looking forward to our date night at Palo:



An Alaskan Cruise is the coziest, most exciting trip I’ve ever experienced. Sharing it with these 2 really is just magical.