Spring Break - Day 4

It was cold this morning, as to be expected at 7:30 am. 

But then, it is cold back home, too, this morning 

It was a simple breakfast and then back to Pigeon Forge.  The Christmas Store seemed a bit less stocked but we still spent a lot.  Then to the Old Mill for lunch!  

As always, I got the fried pork chops, and Stephanie and Michael did as well.  We all had leftovers to bring home.  Then we got stones made for a few animals we had lost, and even bought a LOTR themed stone as well!

Sadie wanted to go to a bookstore, so we found a Books-a-Million.  She bought 3 and I bought her one. 

Back at the cabin we had a cookie for St. Patrick's day and started planning our hike for tomorrow. 

Around 5:30 pm I set up the Blackstone for burgers. Brandon picked up Guinness for St. Patrick's Day and share it.   After supper Stephanie notice a mama bear and 2 cubs moving to check out the grease trap.  Of course they moved on when they heard us move onto the porch.  It was neat to see, but we didn't leave the griddle out.  I will try to share pics on a later post. 

 

Brandon and I went to town to the Barrell House to sample moonshine and maybe hear some music.  We bought a few things but the music was done for the night.  SK back up the mountain 

Steph, Sadie and Michael and Valerie were watching Darby O'Gill.  It was a good day!

Spring Break - Day 3

We had a high wind advisory overnight, and a thunderstorm came through this morning.  Snow later today?

Breakfast was quick and then we went to Sevierville and Pigeon Forge to shop at Merrills.  Stephanie needed new hiking shoes and Sadie found some she liked.  We all got shoes!

Then to the Apple Barn.  We bought cider and some syrups, among other things.  At the cider bar we got dumplings and ice cream.  Michael got muffins and Valerie got pie.  We brought home fried pies and fritters.

Shortly after getting back to the cabin it started snowing.  It did this all the rest of the day.  It was nice to see!

Supper was Poor Mans Dinner.  Brandon and family got home from town and went nuts over the snow!

We played games and discussed tomorrow.  It was a good day!

Spring Break Day 1 & 2

So Spring Break 2026 begins. 

Last year dates did not line up but this year it did, so we are heading back to East Tennessee.  Gatlinburg specially. 

This last fall we purchased a 2025 F150 because the old Tennessee Traveller was getting up in miles.  This truck has a BIG tank, so it will be interesting.

March 14 - Day 1.

We set the alarm for 6 am and was on the road at 7:30 am.  Michael and Valerie were waiting in Athens at 8:30 and followed from there.  Mom and Dad were on the road at 6 am so were blazing the trail.  This year it is I-20.

Our first stop was at the rest station near West Monroe, LA for lunch.  Mom and Dad were far ahead so they did their own thing.  Overall traffic wasn't bad but there was quite a bit of construction in Vicksburg and beyond.  

This was the case all across MS and Alabama. 

We arrived in Hoover just around dark, as this is near the time zone change to EDT.  We didn't go to Ragtime Cafe (although that would have been a better experience).  Sadie and I wanted Whataburger, but Steph and her parents voted for McAlisters Deli.  To be fair, I am not sure Michael and Valerie cared.  Mom and Dad went along as well.  

The food wasn't good.  The Cuban sandwich was short on pork and the bread was soggy.  The portion was also too small for the price.  Mom and Dad were told they were out of pulled pork, which may have explained a few things.  

We went back to the hotel, La Quinta, which is really nice and recently redone.  After a while I tried to call Mom but she didn't answer; her Life360 showed her still at the diner.  

I finally found her coming back in after a run tow Walmart, and it was the. She realized her phone was left behind, probably having fallen from her pocket.  I called McAlisters and a manager answered, and said that although they were closed he could bring it out.  Very kind as they didn't open until 10 am tomorrow.  

The drop broke her screen, however.  I know she was frustrated.

March 15 - Day 2

Did I mention the hotel was nice.  The breakfast was amazing - waffles and pancakes, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy! Etc.  

We were on the road by 8:30, and hit more construction.

At Hokes Bluff we side tripped it to the cemetery to visit the graves of my Ford ancestors.  Sadie did not remember our last visit here.  

We got turned around a bit, but finally hit the road north.  Traffic was awful, as bad as I have seen it.  I don't know that we will travel this route again.  Add to that: accidents on I-40 added to it. 

At Sam's and Walmart I got gas at $3.09 per gallon, which this Spring Break is pretty good.  I had to wait in line, of course.   At 23.8 mpg, it calculated that we could go over 800 miles til empty!

Traffic thru Pigeon Forge and Sevierville wasn't too bad, and we reached the top of the mountain fine - although we took the wrong road up.  

The house mom and dad are in are the one they stayed in when they had their wreck.  So some questionable memories.

Hot dogs for supper and coffee and the hot tub after that.  Time to relax.  

Fall Break - Photo Dump

Day 3 and The Drive Home

Day 3 

We got up this morning and had coffee and watched the river roll by.  Michelle stayed very late so Mom and Dad slept in.  

Kringle's Christmas Store opened at 10, so we drove there, arriving just after opening.  It was already busy.  Also, Mulberry Mill was busy as well.

Lunch today was at the Downing St. Pour House.  Sadie has shepherds pie, and Stephanie and I had burgers.  Their pub-fries chips were very good!

Mom and Dad also went to the pub and the Christmas store, but they went later.

Mid-afternoon came heavy rains, but radar showed nothing at home. 

Leftovers from the week was the fare for supper.  Then loaded the car and walked a bit.  Then off to bed for an early morning.

The drive home:

We got up at 5 am and was on the road by 6.  Mom and Dad took the Dallas route while Michael and Valerie followed us through eastern Oklahoma.  

When we got home we found baby sheep.  One was all white like dorpers normally are.  The other one, however was mottled, almost like a calico cat.  Very rare I am led to believe 

We had a very good trip!

Day 2

Last night was a tough one.  I think we all ate way too much and antacids were our friends.

That said, this morning was cool and nice, and boats were out early.  

We reserved a pontoon for 8 am but everyone was moving slow.  Only Stephanie and I were outside at 7:30.  

All were ready to go a bit after 8, and we caught a few fish.  It was slow but good to be on the water.

Left over pizza for lunch and cool breezes.  

Michelle, our friend that we used to meet here, drove over from her home, and we visited and shared supper together.  It was a good day!

Fall Break, Day 1

Fall breaks are great! And when your school doesn't have one scheduled you make your own!

For the last number of years we have traveled back to Lilley's Landing in Branson for a bit of fishing!

The trip up was no different than always, and after getting settled in we got a few items then had supper.  It was a relaxing evening.

Day 1 - the morning was cool and boats started going out early.  It is a much quieter time of year!

Fishing was nice, and we caught a few!

The trip to get lunch in Hollister took longer than expected because the bridge over Taneycomo near Branson Landing was under construction. But pizza at Hook and Ladder was excellent nonetheless.

Afterward, we went to College of the Ozarks for some shopping (plants, etc) and ice cream at the Keeter Center.  

Back to camp, then relaxing time.  Mom and Dad went back to Branson to Dick's 5&10 and Walmart, and Sadie, Michael, Kathleen and I went to Books A Million.  Sadie got books and Fergus got a bed.  Then back for chili.  

A bit of a walk then back to the dock for fishing.  I caught a small one and Kathleen caught one too.  Stephanie and I showed her how to clean a trout.

Tomorrow we will rent a boat and spend some time on the water.