Refreshed and Rejuvenated

Being silly at the Three Bears Gift Shop.

A bear we saw on The Roaring Fork Trail.

A family tradition to take a pic on the same log every year in Cades Cove.

Group shot at Dollywood.

Family pic by some beautiful trees. It was a canopy of yellow leaves as
far as you could see, it was absolutley beautiful!

We left Monday morning at 6am. We stopped at Cracker Barrrel in Gadsden to eat breakfast together. Then we all caravanned to the mountains, only stopping one more time. We got there on Monday about 2:00 Tennessee time (1:00 our time). We found the cabin and paid, but were unable to check in b/c it wasn't clean yet. So we went to McDonald's b/c all the kiddos were hungry. By the time we finished eating, they called and said our cabin was ready. We had a 5BR, 5 bath cabin w/ a game room, hot tub, theatre, and mountain views. So we all chose our bedrooms, unloaded and settled in. After that we played games and sat in the rockers on one of the 3 porches. The kids of course had to get in the hot tub. We just rested at the cabin all night long.

Tuesday morning I was awakened by the smell of bacon frying. Downstairs, my brother Kevin was cooking breakfast for everyone. Eggs, biscuits, gravy, and bacon. It was yummy! It was raining, so we all got ready and headed out to shop. We went to the Smoky Mtn Knife works for my hubby Josh, then headed to the outlets and stayed til about 3. Found lots of good deals. Aleigh got 3 pairs of shoes, a bag of clothes from Old Navy and a bag from Childrens Place. She racked up! Poor Averee only got one shirt, b/c he didn't need any clothes. He did get a new pair of shoes. We left there and went to have a apple pie at The Apple Barn, then headed back to the cabin and played cards and pool and then had movie night in the theatre. We watched 'Shooter'.

Wednesday we spent the day at Dollywood. Perfect weather and no lines at any rides. A great day!

Thursday we were treated again w/ breakfast by my brother Kevin. We had homemade panackes and sausage, my favorite breakfast food!! We then went to Cades Cove and had a picnic and drove around the Cades Cove Loop. After that, Kevin and his crew had to head home. We told them bye and then went to play putt putt golf. Mom won! She beat me by only 4 points.

Friday we drove around the Roaring Fork Trail and up to the Chimneys. We saw 2 bears. Then we went back to the outlets. Friday night we had a pool tournament, which my dad won! Then it was to bed early after packing up a few things.

Saturday we headed home. Go there about 3pm. Just in time to unload and get ready for trick or treating. We had an excellent time and lots of good memories were made, as usual. Look forward to next year's trip. It is always good to get away for a week, but always good to come home, too...........refreshed and rejuvenated!