A Girl's Trip Becomes So Much More! My Trip Report is Posted!! 6.8.11

[mtgirl29]

I just read through your PTR again and I am sooooo PSYCHED for this upcoming trip!!!!
I so loved all your pics and it looked like your DS an DD had such a blast.
Trying to get my DH to try Le Cellier. It has such wonderful reviews and who doesn't LOVE steak! Yum!
I am so excited to read your actual TR for you upcoming trip. Cannot wait to see more food porn!

 

[TinksThree]

I love all of your Poly pictures. We liked the breakfast too, I was surprised no one wanted to go back this year. We are going back for dinner and I can't wait.

The Flower and Garden Festival looks lovely. I can't wait to check it out this year.

Your food porn is killing me! I am about 6 days into 8 weeks of no cheating Weight Watchers and the Le Cellier is making me so hungry. My salmon, brown rice and salad dinner plans tonight are making me a little sad.

Good luck on the Weight Watchers! I so need a "no cheat" plan but when I cheat I really fall off the wagon!!

I have heard so many good things about Ohana for dinner! We only wanted one breakfast and decided on Tusker House since we still get the Jungle Juice there!!

I just read through your PTR again and I am sooooo PSYCHED for this upcoming trip!!!!
I so loved all your pics and it looked like your DS an DD had such a blast.
Trying to get my DH to try Le Cellier. It has such wonderful reviews and who doesn't LOVE steak! Yum!
I am so excited to read your actual TR for you upcoming trip. Cannot wait to see more food porn!

Can you believe that in just TWO months we will be there!?!?!?!?!?! I am getting more and more excited every day!!

The kids really had a great time. I am so thankful for teenagers that don't think they are too cool for mom and dad!! They even hang with us in the parks! Of course I ride what they ride so I guess that may count for something.

Le Cellier is very good! Your DH must try it! Keith thinks I am crazy for the food porn but I don't care!!

 

[TinksThree]

I suppose as you get older a lot changes as far as your likes and dislikes. I used to really dislike spring. Perhaps it is the pollen that turns the world yellow-green? I just love the allergies that come with that!---NOT!!! (I love fall...it is my most favorite time of year.) But a funny thing happened this year...I have been so excited for spring to come. The only bad thing is it is so hot around here!! I really dread how hot this summer may be.

We have been having spring like weather since mid-February. On one Friday we had a high of 25 degrees and the very next Friday it was 75! We may have a cool day here or there but overall...it has been really nice!!

We had Spring Break two weeks ago, so I thought I would share a mini-TR of what we did. We love traveling! We love long road trips and little day trips. We don't care as long as we are out and about!! When DH and I first got married I introduced him to one of my favorite places...it is now his favorite and we go every year, sometimes more than once in a year!

For the past 5 years this has been our Thanksgiving destination. This past Thanksgiving a rather serious medical issue came up and it made our trip special in a different way but we found it hard to relax. Once the medical crisis was diverted, we made plans to go back and have a re-do! So I have my Disney trip and he has his trip to.....The Great Smokey Mountains!

This trip was almost a non-trip since things at my work have been topsy-turvy and I thought I would not be able to get away. In the end we went and had an awesome time! We love the outdoors so most of our days are spent inside the park.

We left on Saturday morning and arrived around 6pm to one of the few hotels in Gatlinburg that takes pets. Normally we rent a cabin but due to this being a last minute trip we went the hotel route. Only when we went to check-in we find out that they did not notate we would have a pet! And worse....they did not have any rooms available that allowed pets!! Double Thankfully, they were able to get approval from the hotel owners and our little Sami was ok'd to stay in our room. Whew!! The hotel was okay...clean so that was great but it was definitely not Disney!!!

So we get in our room and then head to find FOOD! We ate at TGIFriday's and then back to the hotel. Along the way we passed a guy that looked just like Jack Sparrow. Not sure of his intentions but this began a string of things that reminded us of our upcoming trip to WDW!!

We woke up on Sunday morning, grabbed breakfast and took off for a 90 minute drive to Asheville, NC (this is actually one of my favorite towns in America! I really enjoy going and hanging out downtown! But today our goal was the Biltmore. We have been before but I got a great deal e-mailed to me that we could not pass up! So we took off on I40 (a great drive in itself!) and arrived around lunch time. A few pictures at the Biltmore:

We had a lot of fun and the weather was pretty nice...a little windy and cool at times but sunny so who could complain?! That night we ate at Smoky Mountain Brewery and (sorry no food porn) I highly recommend both this place and Calhoun's if you find yourself in Gatlinburg!! We went back to Smoky Mtn Brewery later in the week because it was so good!

So the following morning was Monday and it was supposed to rain. We weighed what we wanted to do and took off first for the Sugarlands Visitor Center and found the trail to Cataract Falls. A few pictures of this trek which was quite easy and flat!

It didn't look too rainy so we decided to go to Roaring Fork Motor Trail and a hike to Grotto Falls. We got lucky the whole day and saw no rain! This hike is an uphill walk but the end result is very much worth it!! The falls:

You can walk behind the falls (which we did of course!!):

After we finished this hike and touring the Motor Trail (there are several settler houses along the way and creeks you can explore) we were tired and rested before an evening in Gatlinburg! The kids favorite place to eat is Bubba Gumps so no trip is complete without eating here. Our waiter was great and the food was pretty yummy too!! DH tries on Forrest's shoes for size (although Chris left the shoes out---oh well)!

And then we headed around town...including a stop by the Smokey Mtn Moonshine Store. They brew (is that what you do to moonshine??) and have a place where you can taste it plus purchase some! This stuff is strong and potent! I don't know why people wanted to bootleg that stuff! My chest burned for hours!!!

Tuesday was our day in Cade's Cove. We always hope to see a bear and after about 10 trips we have only seen one on a mountain side far, far away. They still pretty much hibernate in early March so instead we had to settle on seeing lots of deer and really big wild turkeys!! (I also saw a groundhog which was cool since I have never seen one in the wild!)

The day began rainy but cleared off soon. Our first stop was in a cold drizzle at the Sinks--the water was high and pretty rough!

Then it was to Cade's Cove we went! One of the homes along the way:

And a deer and those turkeys!!

Continued in next post.....

 

[Moira222]

I love all of your Poly pictures. We liked the breakfast too, I was surprised no one wanted to go back this year. We are going back for dinner and I can't wait.

The Flower and Garden Festival looks lovely. I can't wait to check it out this year.

Your food porn is killing me! I am about 6 days into 8 weeks of no cheating Weight Watchers and the Le Cellier is making me so hungry. My salmon, brown rice and salad dinner plans tonight are making me a little sad.

sorry could not resist.

e had Spring Break two weeks ago, so I thought I would share a mini-TR of what we did

..Gatlinburg looks great. We are campers, and that is on our "some day"...you know, when we are millionaires or gas does not cost $4+ a gallon and we can afford to drive our 12 miles to the gallon camper on long distances..... anyway that looks like a great area for camping and enjoying the world!

Your food write ups are making me re think my Coral Reef ressies. DH wants to go for the aquarium view, but we both have it in our heads that its a seafood restaurant --- but no one who's posted pics has posted seafood pics. am I delirious?? i have been reading write ups of the Cape May something or other.... i am SO bad with names! .... i will have to look into it more.

BTW I LOVE your happy hubby pics at all the parksand when I saw him for real on your Gatlinburg pics I was like "OH there he is for real, no mock ups!"

thanks for sharing!!!

 

[TinksThree]

After we finished riding the loop in Cade's Cove, we decided to head to Laurel Falls. This is another hike to a waterfall that is worth the effort! A plus is that this trail is paved (the Grotto Falls trail was very muddy!). The hike is about 1.3 miles and a little over half way there we round a curve and see this sight:

So maybe those bears are as ready for spring as most of the humans in this country!! It was very cool and he was really close!! We took a few pictures and watched him a minute (let me add that he was up the mountainside a bit and was probably 20 feet away. He was more intimidated by us and the other people than wanting to be aggressive). So I snapped some pictures and then Keith pulls me along to finish the hike. Also a lot of interested people were observing the bear and we decided if he got aggressive we did not want to be around!!! I got what I wanted though!!

Finally we made it to Laurel Falls:

When we went back down the trail, the bear was heading back into the high country. I guess he had had enough people watching for the day!! We joked about what the bear was thinking and had fun making up stories on his "thoughts"!!

Later that evening we headed up to Newfound Gap and took a few vista pictures and saw the dirty remains of snow (no pics just thought I would throw that in!):

Our last day (Wednesday) was one of those days where we went where the road took us. The first place was across the mountain to Cherokee. A stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center where the kids played some checkers:

And we toured the Mountain Farm (spring is trying to make her presence known!!)

We left there and went to Bryson City where the road led us to NO WHERE...literally!! This road was into the National Park and was called "The Road To No Where"!! We had never heard of this so we decided to see what it was all about. First we stopped and took a picture of Fontana Lake:

Then we continued on until the road had barricades and a long tunnel. We decided to see what was on the other side and took off!

And on the other side was "No Where"!

The road just comes to an end. We decide to head back to the car and we make many references to the creepiness of the area and how alone we were and that an ax murder may suddenly appear but no one knows where we are and on and on. We are inside the tunnel as we are discussing the ax murderer scenario when suddenly two people appear! It was actually two women from Bryson City who shared the story of the road with us. Turns out it is political and promises were made to complete the road so residents can easily get to cemetaries but the road was never completed--it also is called the Road of Broken Promises due to this.

We then left and decided to head towards Fontana Dam and the "Tail of the Dragon" (HWY 129) which is super curvy and very long. We were super thankful to find our cut-off on the Foothills Parkway! Soon our vacation was over and we had to head back to Mississippi. I really miss those mountains!

On Saturday (March 19) in an effort to extend Spring Break slightly longer we went to the annual St Paddy's Parade in Downtown Jackson. We had so much fun and caught a lot of beads (think Mardi Gras on a smaller scale!). A few pictures from the afternoon:

Hey, we will see you guys at Disney!!

The motorcycle cops entertained us while we waited on the floats. I made a comment that while everyone was cheering them on, when they pull you over for speeding the attitude exhibited isn't quite so cheerful!!

And then the real parade began!!

So that was how we spent Spring Break!! We kept saying "Two years ago today we were _____" because it was hard to believe it has been 2 years sinc eour Spring Break 2009 trip to Disney but what is better is that we are now under the 2 MONTH MARK!!!!!! Plans, plans, plans....plans are coming soon!!!!!!!

 

[TinksThree]

Gatlinburg is great!! We actually tent camped the very first time I took DH and it was awesome! We have a camper now and are contemplating doing that one day as well! I agree about the gas...which is also why we say "one day"!

I just realized with your comment that there really haven't been a lot of pictures of Keith since he wasn't in any of our flashback trips!!! Oops!!!

I think I had catfish at Coral Reef but Chris and Madison did not have seafood. I believe they both had chicken. I know the picture of the snadwich was chicken. I have heard Cape May is really, really good! I have not been there but after going to Coral Reef and having heard what I have on Cape May...I would choose Cape May (I think it is a crab boil or something? I am not good with names either!! ).

 

[Corrine 1973]

Just got done reading your PTR and I am glad to see that I am not the only one who loves to bring out the old pictures and remember trip of old.

I was just looking at all the pics and getting more excited about our upcoming trips. We will be at Pop at about the same time you are all there. 2 months to go, ahhhhh got to get back to planning.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

That sounds like a GREAT weekend! I've always wanted to explore the Smokeys. I love a good weekend with nature, I wish I had more time to take mountain vacations! And my sister goes to school at Warren Wilson college right by Asheville, so we are very familiar with the area. It's GORGEOUS isn't it?! And the culture is so unique.


ALRIGHT NOW GET BACK TO DISNEY.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I completely understand why you would dread Spring time. The pollen here is so thick you can write your name in it on our back porch. Two days ago, our high temperature was 82 and I wake up this morning to temps in the 40's.

Your road trip looks like a lot of fun. We went to the Smokey Mountains this past July but it was a one day trip since we were actually in the area to see Lacey graduate the Mission.

The waterfalls pictures are beautiful!

 

[TinksThree]

Just got done reading your PTR and I am glad to see that I am not the only one who loves to bring out the old pictures and remember trip of old.

I was just looking at all the pics and getting more excited about our upcoming trips. We will be at Pop at about the same time you are all there. 2 months to go, ahhhhh got to get back to planning.

I love old pictures! It is so nice to remember!! And I agree, it builds the excitement!!! I have been planning all day!!

That sounds like a GREAT weekend! I've always wanted to explore the Smokeys. I love a good weekend with nature, I wish I had more time to take mountain vacations! And my sister goes to school at Warren Wilson college right by Asheville, so we are very familiar with the area. It's GORGEOUS isn't it?! And the culture is so unique.


ALRIGHT NOW GET BACK TO DISNEY.

Asheville is very unique! I love exploring the National Parks! We just love being in the out doors!!!

More Disney very soon!!

I completely understand why you would dread Spring time. The pollen here is so thick you can write your name in it on our back porch. Two days ago, our high temperature was 82 and I wake up this morning to temps in the 40's.

Your road trip looks like a lot of fun. We went to the Smokey Mountains this past July but it was a one day trip since we were actually in the area to see Lacey graduate the Mission.

The waterfalls pictures are beautiful!

Today was way too gloomy and cold!! I wore a coat all day at work! And the pollen is terrible! We have leaf impressions in a lovely yellow hue on our back patio!

I remember your TR on your trip to Georgia and Tennessee! On our last day the drive took forever and I kept thinking of how far you guys went plus Dollywood!

I love hikes t waterfalls...the end result is worth the near heart attack on the way up!! Thanks for the compliments on the pictures!!

 

[mtgirl29]

We are soul sisters......I absolutely love the Smokies, too!!!! We alternate between Disney and The Great Smoky Mtns. for every vacation every other year.
Loved, loved, loved your pics and living that Spring break along with you and your family. Too bad they don't have a Smokiesboard..... I would be on that, too!!! Cade's Cove is our all time favorite part of the park. We, especially, love Abrahm's Falls, too. It is quite the trek but so worth it!!!!
We, also, spend most days in the parks exploring or just driving like toward Blue Ridge Pkwy. We got a flat once down there and that was quite the experience. It was like the road to no where......

 

[TinksThree]

We are soul sisters......I absolutely love the Smokies, too!!!! We alternate between Disney and The Great Smoky Mtns. for every vacation every other year.
Loved, loved, loved your pics and living that Spring break along with you and your family. Too bad they don't have a Smokiesboard..... I would be on that, too!!! Cade's Cove is our all time favorite part of the park. We, especially, love Abrahm's Falls, too. It is quite the trek but so worth it!!!!
We, also, spend most days in the parks exploring or just driving like toward Blue Ridge Pkwy. We got a flat once down there and that was quite the experience. It was like the road to no where......

That is so cool!! I have often thought a Smokies board would be so awesome! So many people love it going there! We adore Cade's Cove and we really liked Abram's Falls but we have only made that trek once! I think DH wants to do it on our next trip! Our road to no where day was goign to be the Blue Ridge Pkwy but it was closed so we went in the other direction. about the flat tire!!!!

I have agreed to no Disney next year to fit in a week in the Smokies plus a trip to Williamsburg since DH wants to go back there---well me too but it still requires giving up Disney for a year! But then I can go when the new FantasyLand opens!!

 

[TinksThree]

First off, I am not going to relive the June 2010 trip. The link to both the PTR and TR are in my signature line. Since I did reports on that trip, I am leaving it as is. Sorry I do not have an index in the reports but it does show a bit of the transformation my DH made....at least a little bit of one!!

Second, one of my favorite things to do is eat!! My waist line hates this but my tummy it!! So here are our plans for FOOD!!!
I have already listed my ADRS, but here is a recap:
Friday, May 27: Crystal Palace
Saturday, May 28: 1900 Park Fare
Sunday, May 29: San Angel Inn (lunch) and Kouzzina's (dinner)
Monday, May 30: 50's Primetime Cafe and T-Rex (this is
new and I MUST make ressies!!
Tuesday, May 31: Tusker House (breakfast with Donald) and
HDDR
Wednesday, June 1: Les Chefs de France

That in itself is A LOT of food!!! But there will be other meals we will need for replinishment so here is my list of Counter Service places to try. Feel free to give any comments or recommendations if not on this list!!

Magic Kingdom: Columbia Harbour House (this is one of our favorites!),
Casey's, Peco Bill's and Pinnochio's Haus
Epcot: Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Sunshine Season (another
one we like), and Tangierine Cafe
Hollywood Studios: Starring Rolls for a muffin in the morning...otherwise that
is it!
Animal Kingdom: probably nothing except snacks here! Pick breakfast and a
big supper at HDDR!
Downtown Disney: Cooke's of Dublin, Wolfgang Puck, and Earl of Sandwich

And that leaves Snacks!!! This is the list I have so far of things I have read about--does not mean I plan to indulge in them all!! I would be :

Magic Kingdom: Dole Whip, Turkey Leg??,Main Street Bakery
Epcot: Churros and margaritas in Mexico, School bread and Lefse in Norway,
Potstickers and Plum Wine slushie in China, crepes-pastries-Grey
Goose Mariner in France, and baklava in Morocco
Animal Kingdom: cream cheese and jalapeno pretzel and frozen lemonade
DHS: cupcake from Starring Rolls and they also have the pretzel; we also
have had some great candied nuts here and I would love to locate
those again--if they still exist!!

I also must include Ghiradellis for ice cream and beingets at the resort (although I am a bit of a New Orleans cuisine snob and hope they compare to Cafe du Monde!!).

Wow!! That is A LOT of food isn't it!?!?! Plus we carry Goldfish and Trail Mix in to snack on throughout the day. I sure am glad we have miles of walking ahead of us!!!!

 

[ksl5f123]

I loved your Gatlinburg mini-TR! Growing up, we went at least once a year. I feel like a kid again every time I have a piece of stick candy!

We hiked Grotto falls with the girls in 2009. They loved getting to walk behind the waterfall. It is one of my favorites.

I can't believe you saw a bear on the Laurel falls trail!!! That is probably the busiest trail in the whole park! I think that bear was enjoying people watching.

I don't think I have seen Laurel falls that full of water in 10 years. It must be all of the extra snow that everyone had this year melting and really upping the volume. Wow!

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Oohhh PLEASE don't make me read about all that delicious food! I'm going low carb low cal until our trip in May, and I've been exercisin' a plenty so I won't worry about all the extra pounds I'll put on in Disney...I have been CRAVING yummy food!

We're doing QSDP and I definitely plan on saving some of my snack points for Goofy's Candy Co! And I plan on trying a butterfinger cupcake at HS. Also, I'm surprised you're not planning on any CS for AK...I guess with 2 big meals planned I understand but...I loooove Pizzafari. It's a must do at AK for me.

We ate at Pinocchio Village Haus last trip and it was deeelish. And I love Pinocchio so the atmosphere added to it. It was CRAZY in there though...I'm not sure I would go back just because Fantasyland is always so nuts. Maybe for an early breakfast I would go...but otherwise I'll stay away from Fantasyland for food options.

 

[TinksThree]

I loved your Gatlinburg mini-TR! Growing up, we went at least once a year. I feel like a kid again every time I have a piece of stick candy!

We hiked Grotto falls with the girls in 2009. They loved getting to walk behind the waterfall. It is one of my favorites.

I can't believe you saw a bear on the Laurel falls trail!!! That is probably the busiest trail in the whole park! I think that bear was enjoying people watching.

I don't think I have seen Laurel falls that full of water in 10 years. It must be all of the extra snow that everyone had this year melting and really upping the volume. Wow!

You're back! I can't wait to hear about your trip!

I am glad you enjoyed my Gatlinburg report--I feel so young and adventerous while I am there! We were surprised about the bear too! There are signs along the trial warning that it is an area they can be seen in but with so many people I would think they would want to stay away!

The water was really high everywhere. That was the most water we had seen at Laurel Falls also. We decided it had to be the snow plus several huge rain storms came through over the previous weeks. I loved seeing the rush of water though!!

Oohhh PLEASE don't make me read about all that delicious food! I'm going low carb low cal until our trip in May, and I've been exercisin' a plenty so I won't worry about all the extra pounds I'll put on in Disney...I have been CRAVING yummy food!

We're doing QSDP and I definitely plan on saving some of my snack points for Goofy's Candy Co! And I plan on trying a butterfinger cupcake at HS. Also, I'm surprised you're not planning on any CS for AK...I guess with 2 big meals planned I understand but...I loooove Pizzafari. It's a must do at AK for me.

We ate at Pinocchio Village Haus last trip and it was deeelish. And I love Pinocchio so the atmosphere added to it. It was CRAZY in there though...I'm not sure I would go back just because Fantasyland is always so nuts. Maybe for an early breakfast I would go...but otherwise I'll stay away from Fantasyland for food options.

I have been really watching calories also and upped my exercise so maybe I will be ready for the food! We love Pizzafari also and if it weren't for the two huge meals that would be in our plans. We grabbed a snack there last year and that may be an option!

I would like to try Pinnochios but the craziness is what I fear!

 

[MissDisney121]

Hi I subbed. I look forward to reading your trip report, it sounds like it will be fun. Also I am going at about the same time of year next year so it will be great to see what the crowds are like with Star Wars weekends.

 

[Moira222]

Gatlinburg is great!! We actually tent camped the very first time I took DH and it was awesome! We have a camper now and are contemplating doing that one day as well! I agree about the gas...which is also why we say "one day"!
Yeah, OUCH! to gas. We have decided this year we are only doing one or 2 trips for the whole summer.
I just realized with your comment that there really haven't been a lot of pictures of Keith since he wasn't in any of our flashback trips!!! Oops!!!
LOL My DH is not big into crowds so DD and I go solo to a lot of places. I LOVE the idea of taking a cut out of his photo to show he was there in spirit!!

I think I had catfish at Coral Reef but Chris and Madison did not have seafood. I believe they both had chicken. I know the picture of the snadwich was chicken. I have heard Cape May is really, really good! I have not been there but after going to Coral Reef and having heard what I have on Cape May...I would choose Cape May (I think it is a crab boil or something? I am not good with names either!! ).

Not sure if you saw but we decided against both and are doing Raglan Road in DTD> I am PSYCHED!


Wow!! That is A LOT of food isn't it!?!?! Plus we carry Goldfish and Trail Mix in to snack on throughout the day. I sure am glad we have miles of walking ahead of us!!!! [/QUOTE]
If only I could convince my mouth to follow my brain, I would be a size 8 instead of a 22 working into a 20. I looked at your list and all I could think of were the number of calories in one of those turkey legs . sad.....

You have a lot of the same ADRs as we though some we've never done. Looking forward to your reviews!

 

[PixieMama]

I'm planning my FIRST girls-only trip for this September!

Can't wait to read more about yours...

 

[TinksThree]

Hi I subbed. I look forward to reading your trip report, it sounds like it will be fun. Also I am going at about the same time of year next year so it will be great to see what the crowds are like with Star Wars weekends.

Hello and Welcome!!! Hopefully you can learn a few things to plan your trip!!

Not sure if you saw but we decided against both and are doing Raglan Road in DTD> I am PSYCHED!


Wow!! That is A LOT of food isn't it!?!?! Plus we carry Goldfish and Trail Mix in to snack on throughout the day. I sure am glad we have miles of walking ahead of us!!!!

If only I could convince my mouth to follow my brain, I would be a size 8 instead of a 22 working into a 20. I looked at your list and all I could think of were the number of calories in one of those turkey legs . sad.....

You have a lot of the same ADRs as we though some we've never done. Looking forward to your reviews![/QUOTE]

I hope to do Raglan Road too! Funny how we have so many of the same choices!! And I try to pretend callories and fat grams do not exist at Disney World!!

I'm planning my FIRST girls-only trip for this September!

Can't wait to read more about yours...

Oh how exciting!! So glad you are along for our journey!!