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.