We’ve spent this past week in Gatlinburg, TN at a pastors' conference. It was a terrific time away, and there was plenty of time for sight-seeing and enjoying the mountain scenery.
Our trip started Sunday evening around 8 pm. We headed out with the intention of having two happily sleeping children from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Not so. Kieran slept, but Ayden only did part of the time. Around 11 pm we drove past OSU where Carrie is going to school. So, on an impulse, and since Ayden was awake, we stopped to see her and have bubble tea, a popular Asian beverage. It was a terrifically fun memory, and it put us at our Cincinnati hotel around 2 that morning!
Gatlinburg held many wonderful adventures. One morning we went mini golfing on a black lit course. This was Ayden’s first time mini golfing and he enjoyed it. Typically, he would simply carry the ball up to the hole, place it down, and hit it in. A very expeditious way to play, if you ask me. We also rode the trolley, enjoyed a breathtaking scenic drive, and tried to experience Gatlinburg’s rib and wing fest. This last activity was not such a success. Rib fest was Thurs. evening, and twelve dollars bought you a ticket, entitling you to all-you- can-eat ribs from the various booths at the festivals. Since Josh loves both ribs and wings, he was quite excited to attend. So, we went to the fest anticipating much good food and fun times. Not to be so! There were far too many people crammed onto one of Gatlinburg’s very narrow streets. The lines were not well-delineated, so it was very hard to tell where lines began and ended. It was also extremely hot since we were crammed so close to all the grills where they were cooking the meat. None of this, though, was the clincher. What clinched us leaving before getting our ribs were the characters walking around. You know, the mascot pig and fireman who wander around to entertain the kids. Well, not ours. Ayden took one look at them, shrieked, burst into tears, and declared that he wanted to go home. We tried to calm him down, but the wary eyes that kept scanning the crowd for these evil creatures, plus all the other negative aspects, made us cut our losses, declare this not a child-friendly event, and sent us to TGI Fridays for a much more pleasant meal!
These pictures document many of the trip's highlights.
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Ayden and Josh enjoying the hotel arcade.
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Kieran decided to go anti-pack-n-play this trip and only slept in his car seat or with us. Attempts to put him in the pack-n-play were met with loud protests.
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Playing in the inflatable fort.
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Kieran ready for his first dip in the pool.
Kieran zonked in the stroller.
Our trip started Sunday evening around 8 pm. We headed out with the intention of having two happily sleeping children from Cleveland to Cincinnati. Not so. Kieran slept, but Ayden only did part of the time. Around 11 pm we drove past OSU where Carrie is going to school. So, on an impulse, and since Ayden was awake, we stopped to see her and have bubble tea, a popular Asian beverage. It was a terrifically fun memory, and it put us at our Cincinnati hotel around 2 that morning!
Gatlinburg held many wonderful adventures. One morning we went mini golfing on a black lit course. This was Ayden’s first time mini golfing and he enjoyed it. Typically, he would simply carry the ball up to the hole, place it down, and hit it in. A very expeditious way to play, if you ask me. We also rode the trolley, enjoyed a breathtaking scenic drive, and tried to experience Gatlinburg’s rib and wing fest. This last activity was not such a success. Rib fest was Thurs. evening, and twelve dollars bought you a ticket, entitling you to all-you- can-eat ribs from the various booths at the festivals. Since Josh loves both ribs and wings, he was quite excited to attend. So, we went to the fest anticipating much good food and fun times. Not to be so! There were far too many people crammed onto one of Gatlinburg’s very narrow streets. The lines were not well-delineated, so it was very hard to tell where lines began and ended. It was also extremely hot since we were crammed so close to all the grills where they were cooking the meat. None of this, though, was the clincher. What clinched us leaving before getting our ribs were the characters walking around. You know, the mascot pig and fireman who wander around to entertain the kids. Well, not ours. Ayden took one look at them, shrieked, burst into tears, and declared that he wanted to go home. We tried to calm him down, but the wary eyes that kept scanning the crowd for these evil creatures, plus all the other negative aspects, made us cut our losses, declare this not a child-friendly event, and sent us to TGI Fridays for a much more pleasant meal!
These pictures document many of the trip's highlights.
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Ayden and Josh enjoying the hotel arcade.
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Kieran decided to go anti-pack-n-play this trip and only slept in his car seat or with us. Attempts to put him in the pack-n-play were met with loud protests.
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Playing in the inflatable fort.
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Kieran ready for his first dip in the pool.
Kieran zonked in the stroller.
Enjoying the trolley ride.
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View from the scenic drive.
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