Mother's Day at Dollywood

[Angelrose]

Every other year my family goes to Dollywood. This was the year. My family consists of, me, Mary, my son Chuck, my daughter in law Karen, my grandson Jesse 7 and my granddaughter Zoey 4. I'm very lucky that my family takes me everywhere they go on vacation. So, if you are interested, join in.


April 27, 2015 - I am all packed for my second trip to Dollywood. I am so excited. We leave on the 8th of May. Just 11 days to go. This trip we are going to visit some caves as well as the theme park and Dixie Stampede. We have a condo where I will have my own suite of rooms. It has two pools, one indoor and one outdoor. I know we’ll be spending some time in there.


May 8, 2015 – Last night I was very restless and couldn’t sleep much at all. We left at 3:30am and made it to TN in record time. But the first 3 or 4 hours in the car I had that restless leg syndrome and couldn’t relax at all. We took our first break for gas and restrooms and then I was finally able to relax. I watched the scenery go by, read my Kindle and played with Zoey off and on for a couple of hours.

We made it here around 2:30. We unpacked and went out to dinner at Cracker Barrel. That was so good. We picked up a few groceries and then came back. We had planned to go for a swim but we were all just too tired to move.

Tomorrow Karen is taking the kids to see her relatives and Chuck and I are going to veg here and then go to the pool.

http://whisperingpinescondos.com/wp644/

This is our condo in Pigeon Forge.

These are the views from our condo.

May 9, 2015 – I had a really good night’s sleep last night. This morning I just read and watched the History channel until Karen left with the kids to visit her family. Chuck and I watched a movie and had lunch. We went for a swim and I had a great time for my first time swimming this year. I didn’t want to overdo it for my first time in the full sun, so we went back to the room after a half hour or so.

Karen came back and we got dressed to go out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. They had a salad! I was so happy I think I kissed it. It was a great steak dinner.

 

[Angelrose]

We got back to the room and put on our suits for a swim. The sun was mostly down so we stayed for a little over 40 minutes. I was so ready to relax for the night.


May 10, 2015 – What a busy day we had. Karen and I got started around 9:30 to go to the Christmas Place. We wandered around all the rooms looking at everything. Karen found a flamingo she liked and I got an enamel snowman and three angels for my friends for Christmas. Then we went to a handbag store. Well you know I couldn’t get out of there without buying something. I got an off white shoulder bag with pink and blue flowers on it. Sort of like a Vera Bradley bag. Karen found an adorable pink glass baby flamingo. I think we were both tired by then and we picked up some Firehouse subs and came home.

After lunch, Chuck took the car to go to the knife store and we took the kids for a walk down the mountain to go to some stores. We walked around and got some ice cream. It was so nice to sit in the ac and enjoy our ice cream. We walked to a couple of stores and then let the kids walk down to a waterfall with Karen to explore a bit. I stayed up on the sidewalk and waved.

We were all tired so we walked back up the mountain. I’m so glad I brought my cane. It was really hard walking up to the condo. I couldn’t wait to get into my jammies and relax in the ac. We all took a nap and then it was time to get ready for the Dixie Stampede dinner show.

I love that show. It is really remarkable and the dinner was great too. We walked through the souvenir store and the kids each got a stuffed horse.

We got back to the condo a little after 8. I had to lie down for a while before I could get up and write. I will sleep well again tonight.

 

[Angelrose]

May 11, 2015 – Today was hotter than yesterday and more humid. We got to Dollywood around 9:30. We walked to some rides and Jesse and Chuck went on a roller coaster that went upside down. We didn’t know that before they went inline. But Jesse did so well and we were all so proud of him. The kids went on the merry go round and Chuck and I went on some flying thing. We went on some water ride and I was the lucky person who got soaked COMPLETELY. The rest of the family got wet, but I was the prize winner.


We stopped and had lunch at the buffet. It was really good. We walked uphill to more rides. Did you know that Dollywood is all uphill? There is no downhill at all. At least that’s the way it felt. We stopped and got some of that sinful cinnamon bread. Believe me, it’s worth the trip just to get that bread. I was reaching the end of my endurance around 4, so we decided to head back to the front and do some shopping. I got two sweatshirts, one heavy and the other light in turquoise. I also bought an inlaid wooden butterfly.


I made it back to the van and in the parking lot I reached my 10,000 steps at the exact same time as Karen. I was so glad to get in that van. I am very proud of myself that I didn’t use my cane at all today.

We got home and just relaxed in the ac. About 6 I felt like a swim and Chuck and the kids came with me. Karen stayed in and read for a while. After a half hour I was done swimming and had my dinner. The rest of the evening, I just vegged and read.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Sounds like you all had fun! T hanks for sharing your trip with us!

 

[Angelrose]

May 12, 2015 – This morning we slept in and then went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Chuck said that the temperature inside the cave was around 55 and I didn’t bring a sweatshirt. I looked in Cracker Barrel and found one in the 40% off rack. It was a very pretty yellow with a butterfly on it. It only cost me $10 and I also found a pair of very pretty silver earrings for the same price. After breakfast we drove to the Lost Sea Adventure cavern. It was really neat and the lake at the bottom was so clear you could see the rainbow trout. Chuck’s flashlight was much brightwe than the guides, so we could see them so much better. The guide then threw out some food for them and the trout went crazy getting it. We went back to the boat landing and started back up the very steep trail back. I really needed my cane and had to rest a few times. The good news is my heart is very healthy. It if wasn’t I’m sure I would be dead by now. It was a 45 degree incline all the way back. It was that strenuous. But I survived and I’m so glad we went to see it. Of course I had to buy a t shirt.

No, I'm not drunk. Jesse needs a bit more practice with his camera.

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Andrea]

OH wow I am so glad you guys had a good time. thanks for sharing.

Edited: Because i just saw where you posted about the lost sea. I love that cave !!!!! That place was so much fun when my husband and I went.

 

[Angelrose]

We stopped in Knoxville on our way back to visit the Sun Sphere from the 82 World’s Fair. It’s a beautiful place and what a view from the top of the Sphere. We stopped at a little park and let the kids play on the monkey bars and the slides before heading home.

We stopped at a buffet and had our dinner and then stopped at the handbag place so I could get another bag that I had thought about.

We got home around 7:30 and I was too tired to even think about going for a swim. I’m going to make it an early night tonight.

 

[Angelrose]

May 13, 2015 – What a wonderful day. We got to Dollywood right at opening at 10. We went on a couple of rides and then had a snack. I shared my HUGE chocolate chip cookie with the kids.

We went on a water ride that you shoot water cannons at the other boats and other people watching can also shoot at you. Guess who got soaked AGAIN?? My hair was dripping, so I got a hat so I didn’t scare people.

We went on more rides and Chuck, Jesse and I went on a coaster that does these hairpin turns and then goes backward at the end. Jesse was a bit scared but he was very brave and we were proud of him.

Zoey didn’t want to go on any rides except the real baby rides. We all did go on the swings. That is one of my favorites.

We had our usual lunch of sausage, peppers and onions and the kids had chicken fingers and fries.

After lunch Karen, Zoey and I went to see a country music show and Jesse, and Chuck went to see a bird show.


There were two men and one was in a wheelchair and three pretty girls. They sang all the old classics and some of the newer ones. The handsome guy started to sing Gentle on my Mind and he came off the stage, held my hand and sang to me. Be still my heart. It was a 40 minute show and it was wonderful.

Jesse really loved the bird show and couldn’t wait to tell us all about it. After that we did a few more rides for Zoey and then had dinner. They always have great food here no matter where you eat.

I hit my 10,000 steps early and I was ready to leave. We all felt we had done everything we wanted and so headed to our condo.

 

[Angelrose]

May 14,2015 – This was my day off. Chuck, Karen and Jesse went off on their hike and Zoey and I just relaxed for a while. I put on a dvd for her and read my Kindle. At 10:30 she informed me that she wanted to go swimming. I got her ready and then me hauling all the towels and toys down to the indoor pool. I didn’t want her to get anymore sunburn and she is allergic to sunscreen. I swam for an hour and she played with her toys in the water. We had the whole pool to ourselves the whole morning. At 11:30 we came back for lunch and a nap. I figured I would just relax in bed. I tucked her in and I relaxed in bed. In fact I relaxed so well, that I didn’t wake up until 2 hours later.

I asked her if she wanted to watch a dvd or go back to swim. She wanted to swim, so back we went. I swam for another half hour or more and Zoey had a little boy who was there with his grandmom to play with. Then it was time to go. I wanted to get her back to give her a shower before Chuck and Karen came back. As we walked back I noticed their van was back. They were only there a few minutes before we got back.

We all got dressed and went out to dinner at Paula Deen’s restaurant. We had to wait an hour but it was worth it.

It is served family style. We had one appetizer (pimento cheese dip). Then you pick out three main dishes. Fried chicken, fried catfish and meatloaf.


Then you order 5 sides. We got mashed potatoes, southern red rice with sausage, collards ( for me) mac and cheese and cornbread. Oh my goodness, everything was so good. We even had room for her ooey gooey pound cake. We waddled out of there and walked around the little village and looked in some of the stores. Chuck and I went to a moonshine store and tasted some of the flavors. Everyone had to show ID. Can you imagine?? I got carded. The man in back of me laughed when I said, “Really?? I’m older than God.” I tasted some, most of them were too strong for me. The one I really wanted to try was the butterscotch but we left before they poured that one. I guess Chuck didn’t want to put me in a coma.

We walked around and looked in a few stores. Chuck found a flamingo headband that we had to show Karen. She loved it and even tried it on. She bought it for her collection. The kids each got a Build A Bear. Jesse got a Ninja Turtle and Zoey got a white sparkly Elsa bear. After that we were pretty much done. We walked back to the car and just stopped to get some ice cream before getting back to the condo.

I’m pretty tired for my day off.

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Angelrose]

May 15, 2015 – Today we drove over to Tuckaleechee Caverns. It was an hour tour. Five minutes into the tour, Zoey had to go potty, so Karen took her and missed the tour. They did give us a refund. But it was such a shame. Chuck, Jesse and I loved this cave. They both took a lot of pictures. I’ll post some of them later on. We saw a double water fall and some beautiful cave formations. It was really well lit and easier to navigate for me. They had steps that made it so much easier for me. It was so beautiful and the water was clear. There was one place where you could fill your own water bottle or drink the water from your hands. I couldn’t bend down that far, but Jesse did. He was even allowed to take a pebble from the river bed. It wasn’t a cave formation, just river rock so not a problem.


After the tour, we drove back to Pigeon Forge and had lunch at Cracker Barrel. I had a wonderful salad.

 

[Angelrose]

Look closely at the last picture and you can see our guide with the formations.

 

[Angelrose]

We then drove to Ripley’s Aquarium. The kids really loved it and Jesse took so many pictures. They had so much fun. They had lots of different fish and my favorite is the jellyfish.

We drove back to the condo to get ready and pack for our trip home tomorrow.

It was a wonderful fun filled trip, but I will be glad to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night.

 

[Angelrose]

 

[Angelrose]

May 16, 2015 - Today was our drive back home. We started around 6:30 and made it back home by 4:40. That was great time. We only stopped three times. Chuck and Karen unpacked the van and got all my stuff together and Chuck drove me home and got my laptop set up again, turned on my water and then he left.

I put away most of my stuff, got a load or two of wash separated, watched an hour of tv and then I was ready for bed.

I had such a wonderful time with everything we did. A big THANK YOU to Karen and Chuck for everything they did to make this such a great vacation.

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you Mizzoufan. I'm glad you liked it.

Thank you Andrea. The Lost Sea Adventure was wonderful, but it sure was tough coming back.

 

[tluvstink]

I loved reading your report! I love Dollywood and I felt like everything was uphill too

I had no idea Paula Dean has a restaurant there. If I ever make it back to Pigeon Forge I will have to check it out

Thanks for sharing!

Terri

 

[rndmr2]

Thank you for sharing! Sounds like you had a great time!
I love caves/caverns, I have been in a few in Virginia and Bermuda, really cool.

 

[Angelrose]

Thank you for reading tluvstink. I'm 70 years old, with an old broken ankle injury that makes walking uphill a challenge. But I did it. I DREAM about that Paula Dean meal it was so good.

Thanks for reading rndmr2. I love caves too. I've been to Luray Caverns and Carlsbad Caverns. But I think I love the Tuskaleechee Caverns the best. Although Carlsbad was the most beautiful.