Spring Break, Day 3 - Pigeon Forge

The mountains of East Tennessee are like home to me.  I have never lived here, but over the years we have visitedany times.

It was a cool morning, and we fixed breakfast at the cabin and set on the porch with it's mountain views.  We took Fergus for a brief walk as well, as the sun warmed the air and lit the snow on the peaks.

Then to Pigeon Forge.  The traffic was heavy since the tunnel on the highway was down to one lane for repairs.  Google found us another way to avoid most of the backup.

Lunch was at the Old Mill, and it was awesome as always!  Our waitress was from the Czech Republic, and her name was Jitka.  She was also awesome and very kind!  I told her I came all the way from Texas for their fried pork chops.

A bit more shopping (a game store, Sketchers, and the Apple Barn). We got our favorite coffee (apple pie) and several bottles of hard cider.  Then our parking tag for a week in the national park, then home.

The beauty of renting a cabin is that it is a comfortable place to rest.  

Spring Break 2023, Day 1

Spring Break has many traditions for us.  Sometimes we take the camper out, but more times than not we head to Tennessee.  

And that is what we did this year.  

It turned out to be a four car caravan spread over 120 miles.  

We left at 6 am, and were the last of our group to hit the road.  We had our first fill up at Little Rock and made picnic lunches out of the back of the car at Forrest City.

Interstate 30 and then I-40 we're busy with truck traffic.  There were a few pleasant spots but it was a stressful drive.  It is pretty though!  There is something about the decent into the Tennessee River Valley!

They have also had a lot of rain up here with a lot of flooding.

It was a gray and cloudy travel day, and it got colder the farther we went.  At home it was in the upper 50s and in the mid-to-lower 40s by the time we got to Cookeville.  The rains started on us between Memphis and Jackson (right after Stephanie took over driving).

Traffic was heavy and rains made it stressful, but we made it through Nashville, and we were in Cookeville by 7 pm.  

We got food from Zaxby's, and got settled in 8 pm.

And tomorrow, off to the Smokies!

Day 2 of the Snow/Ice Days

Weather reports yesterday told us the prepare for another day with the schools and colleges closed.  The weather maps showed icy precip all day but I have not yet (as of noon) see much fall.  More predicted for the afternoon, though.

Fire in the woodstove with family home is always nice.  The roads are still icy with few vehicles going by today, and our gate is frozen at the hinges and power arm.  Couldn't go anywhere if we wanted to.

So, a bit of work-from-home and a Zoom meeting this afternoon, and then relax, wondering if there is enough wood split and stacked on the porch.  

Keto chicken and dumplings for supper!  Yum!

Snow/Ice Days

This has been a crazy start to the school year.  Last few days of January and it is a snow (actually ice) day with many roads in our area closed.

Schools let out early yesterday and it is predicted they will still me closed tomorrow.  February is typically our worst weather month.

Fire in the stove though, with good reading.  Stephanie finished her novel manuscript so I get a sneak peak.

Icy and nasty.  Certainly good to be inside...

I would say Florida would be nice right now!

Fall Break, Day 2 & 3

Day 2

Fall breaks go quick and considering we had to take off to make this happen, then we really had to make the best use of time... Which means I forgot to post here.

As noted previously, day one was a day to relax and enjoy being back at Lilley's Landing.

Day 2 was fishing.  We all went together and rented a 24' Tri-toon boat and enjoyed fishing Taneycomo.  And the fish were biting, too!

Taneycomo is beautiful in the fall, and the views of changing leaves from the water were magical.  

After our time on the water, it was back to our cabin for Dad's stew, a bit of walking around the resort, and a relaxing evening.  

This is one of our favorite places.

Day 3

Today was my birthday, so we went to Branson and did some shopping at Dick's 5&10, and then had lunch at The White River Fish House.  It is a unique restaurant in that it floats on the waters of Taneycomo.  Steph and I had Trout Almondine and Sadie had shrimp (of course!).

Then some shopping at Bass Pro and Sadie got a new rod.  

Then back to Lilley's, and Sadie practiced with the new rod and fished for a few.  

Hot dogs for supper and birthday cake, and a bit of visiting with Phil and Marsha, the owners.  

We love this place!  It has been too long!  We will be back soon, no doubt!

Fall Break, Day 1

There was a time when we tried to take a fall break by going to one of our favorite places - Lilley's Landing!

But it has been awhile since we were able, but this year we planned it again.

So after work we struck out for Missouri

We arrived around 10:45, got unpacked, and settled in.  Not much to report.

Day 2.

It was cold this morning, but that made for an awesome sunrise and time for coffee on the porch.  The river was beautiful as always.

Then to town for lunch at Danna's and a few groceries at Walmart, including some tackle. Also, Kringles Christmas Store.

Then back to the cabin for a nap and a bit of resort time, and a relaxing evening.  So Nice!

Cold Mornings!

Today is the first truly cold morning of this fall season, and it is lovely!

Coffee on the porch and a few hours of work today, and then it is off for a short fall break.  

Brandon, Missouri - here we come!