Gatlinburg or Bust!

A spectacular view from our cabin.

To experience the mountains to the max, we decided to stay in a cabin way up in the mountains. As we traveled up to get to the cabin, I had flashbacks to my precarious mountain adventure in Turkey, even though the steep climb in the car was really nothing compared to the ride in Turkey, I began freaking out a bit, okay alot. I almost got out and walked up. The more we made the climb the more comfortable I was and the more I realized it really wasn't that bad. I think it was just the initial memory of my precarious Turkey adventure (the one when I thought for sure I was going to see Jesus face to face) that did me in on that first trip up the mountain.

At the top, life was good in the cabin. So good, that the kids did not want to leave to do anything. They are so simple and they would have had a blast if we had spent every waking hour in that cabin.

They enjoyed the hot tub with Bibi!

We had roaring fires at night.

There was an air hockey table in Andrew and Alora's room!

Andrew enjoyed the view.

Everybody enjoyed the view!

Alora, being the thrill seeker that she is, had the chair lift on her list of to do's in Gatlinburg.

Joey and Alora had a fabulous time riding to the top of the mountain while Andrew and I enjoyed Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Behind Andrew is a rug made out of gum wrappers.

Next to the tallest man who ever lived, Andrew just bearly passed his knee caps!

It was a very scary tunnel!

And Mimi is demonstrating that there were also very scary temperatures! While we were there, the temperature consistantly hovered between 19 and 35 degrees.

Bibi is sporting the latest in fashion: The Manly Man blue terricloth scarf made in America. All of the manliest men are wearing them! Actually it was really cold and we were waiting on the annual Gatlinburg Christmas Parade to begin for four hours!!! Needless to say, we used everything we had to keep warm.

Look how much fun Bibi is having waiting in the cold! The large lump beside him is Alora, nice and toasty warm.

There were festive carolers singing to help speed up the wait.

Finally the parade began! We were so cold by that point that we left before it was over.

We spent much time in the Artisan Community where we met many people making crafts.

Chain saw art!

This man was making belts out of genuine leather.

On our last full day we went to Dollywood! Look how warm and toasty we all look. By the way for those who don't recognize him, thats Joey on the right, not the abomidable snowman!

Santa's newest reindeer! Goofy, and Gourd!

Many of the rides were closed because of the low temperatures so we watched many of the shows and even enjoyed some great gospel quartet music. (It was really good) The kids really enjoyed it! I was so glad this ride was one of the ones open. Object of the ride: Pull you and one other person up to the top by use of the rope. It works like a pulley. As you can see from the pic, I was no good at this! When the ride was over, Alora declared, "I want to ride with Daddy!" And I declared in my heart, "If it requires work it is not entertainment, nor is it a ride, nor will I get on it. I do not care if it is the only thing in the park. Stupid pulley!"

Show offs!

Alora and I loved the Blazing Fury roller coaster! It was indoor and so it was operational. We rode this twice, until we got wet! Note to self: When it feels like 19 degrees outside, do not get wet!

We took a snack break in a small shop where I saw the biggest cinnamon rolls I have ever seen in my life. Look at this little angel! All he wants is a funnel cake!

The decorations were gorgeous!

When the night was done, I snapped this awesome picture of Joey. He had no idea what was his backdrop. Hee Hee. This may be one of my favorite pics of him.

I did not get pics of everything so the pics stop here. On our last day, headed out of town, we stopped at what the kids called "the upside down house" It was advertised as a giant amusement park for the mind, and boy was it ever! We had a blast. We played for about four hours: doing science experiments, analyzing art and riding indoor simulators before finally playing ending our stay with a game of Laser Tag. Alora and I beat Joey and Andrew, mainly because GIRLS ARE AWESOME!

Thank you Mimi and Bibi, for a fabulous mountain excursion!