The day after our little birthday party for Ashleigh and Briana at home, My Mom, Carolyn, Ashleigh, and I embarked on a half-week trip to Gatlinburg - more specifically staying in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We left on Sunday morning March 20, 2005 and headed south, arriving approximately six hours later and checking into the Holiday Inn and went out for one of our dinners. I was equipped with a smattering of TV on DVD and was equipped with Mom’s portable DVD player to hook into the hotel’s television.
Monday March 21st was Ashleigh’s actual birthday, but since we had already held her party and had her cake, there was little fanfare for the actual occasion. Instead we headed to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains. There we enjoyed driving around and looking at the scenery as well as trudging through a bit of hiking - seeing some of the old houses and churches. It was here that I had Ashleigh sit inside the giant ash tray that was labelled for ‘butts.’ I recall this because it was a photo (seen at top obviously) that I took specifically for inclusion in our annual Christmas newsletter - and indeed it was included.
Yaht at Cades Cove
Carolyn, me (looming large), and Ashleigh at one of the Cades Cove Cabins (CCC)
I cannot recall the exact order of events for our few days there (and I took a ridiculously small amount of photos), but I believe that we ate a giant breakfast at The Old Mill once or twice and had a great dinner at the Apple Barn. I also recall that at some point, I accompanied the ladies shopping at the some of the outlet malls, and while they were at New York New York, I went into the Christian bookstore and bought my leather-bound Duo Tone Bible, a New International Version, much of which I have read as I began to work my way through the Bible for the second time.
On Tuesday afternoon, the gals headed into downtown Gatlinburg. I chose not to join them and instead have a few hours of vacation on my terms…reading my new Bible, watching TV, and napping. That evening we all went to the Dixie Stampede next door to Dollywood. I had seen this show a couple of times in the past and have always really enjoyed both the show and the down-home cookin’.
Me, Carolyn, Ashleigh (with her red dye job), and Mom at the Dixie Stampede
With one of the hot Dixie horse-riders after the show
We left on Wednesday morning to head home. Carolyn had to be back in town for a massage client and only wanted to take three days off of work. It was a nice excursion, although it seemed much too short. I spent the rest of my vacation just hanging out at home, returning to work on Monday, March 28.
The last picture on the roll (hence the red splotch) was used to capture Mom sleeping in Pigeon Forge
Brad- Where exactly are you looking in the picture with the Dixie Rider?
Aaron
January 26th, 2008
HAAHA! @ Aaron!
Amber
January 27th, 2008
Ok - I had no idea you took that photo of me sleeping -or worse yet that you posted it on the internet! Watch out Brad, one day I might get my revenge!!!
Barb/Mom
January 27th, 2008