Smokey Mountain Family Vacation 2013

This past weekend Michael and I woke up bright and early Thursday June 13, 2013 to meet his family in the Smokey Mountains for our annual family vacation.  We are still on a budget, but who says you can't have fun on a budget?  Not me...because we did!!

We had a minor problem a few days prior while my car was in the shop getting a new wheel on the front right and rear left due to an accident a month ago in Tupelo with a large pot hole.  Oops!  Thankfully it was covered under warranty.  Anyway...check out my ride for a day.  Let me just say, this looks like a great mommy ride!  I enjoyed riding in an SUV.  No van for this "mommy to be!"  Just thought I would throw that in for all you people wanting to see this "mama to be" drive a van.  You know who you are...HA!  Nothing wrong with all you van people, but I am just not a van person.

OK, back to the mountains.  After we got my car back (the day before we left) we were off!  The first day wasn't bad.  Just lots of driving until we arrived to this...

This cabin had two floors and a basement with 3 master bedrooms and 3 master bathrooms on each level!

Main floor living room

 



View from the balcony

 

pool table in basement

 

Dinning room table on main floor

 

ping pong table on screened in porch basement level

Welcome to our cabin of relaxation for 4 days.

And then the dreaded grocery store run.  See...

 

That's how we roll!!

After shopping we drove back up the mountain to our cabin to grill out and REST!!

We cooked brunch in the cabin every morning.  We had biscuits, gravy (tomato, chocolate, and regular), bacon, sausage, hash browns, ham, apple turnovers, and more.  Did I mention that we had 5 separate families on this vacation?!

After brunch on Friday we decided to visit the Titanic.  If you have never been I suggest you go at least once.  On this particular day the museum had the famous, Wallace Hartley, violin on display for all to see.  Hartley became famous for leading the eight member band as the ship sank.  His body was found frozen with his violin strapped to him because this was his prize possession.  He was going to meet his finance in order to get married, but his journey was soon ended after the tragic sinking of the ship.  Such a sad story.  Everything was very sad because it isn't just a romantic movie.  It really happened!  These were real people! 

I was Sarah Roth, 3rd class passenger, age 26.  I was on my way to get married to the man of my dreams.  I made my own wedding dress by hand and was so excited to get to wear it.  It was tucked away in my trunk and my bridesmaid was on board with me.  The man of my dreams would be standing by in New York City waiting for my arrival.

Michael was William McRae, a crew member/fireman/stoker, age 43.  He worked down in the boiler room.  The interesting thing is that the Titanic was on fire from the day she sailed from Southampton, England.  The officers knew it, the crew in the boiler knew it, but none of the passengers knew it.  They would have panicked so the captain asked everyone to keep it a secret.  The fire started in Bunker No. 6, where hundreds of tons of coal were stored.  Flames were raging in the bottom of the bunker, but they hadn't broken through to the top.  There were 12 fireman working in shifts, fighting the fire around the clock.  Just when they started making progress the Titanic hit the iceberg and the frigid 28 degree water finished the job.

Alex and Miley

We were able to place our hand in 28 degree water that felt just like the night the ship went down.  You could also shovel coal into the fiery furnace.  The crew members did this job for eight to ten hours in 100 degree temperature just to keep the ship running.  It is amazing all the things that happened in such a short amount of time.  All of the stories are unique and touching.  Everyone should see this at least once.

Me and Michael

Barbara and David

Annette and Danny

That night we played putt putt golf and I won!  Poor Michael, he just wasn't ready for that game.  We also rode go-carts with the kiddos one time around!  You're only young once, but you can be a kid forever!!  We ate at Huck Finn's that night with the family.  I had spicy grilled shrimp...Yum!

I won!!

 

Mr. Huck Finn! (a.k.a. Michael)

Saturday Michael and I walked the streets of Gatlinburg did a little shopping.  The next stop was Lil Dolly's!  If you don't know what that is...well, let me just tell you.  It is the famous quilt store.  All Southern girls love a good quilt!  I purchased a beautiful green baby quilt for Baby Shook.  I can't wait to wrap that tiny little baby in that gorgeous quilt!  That night we ate at The Old Mill.  Wonderful place to eat.  And I love The Old Mill pottery store.  Next stop...the cabin for more relaxation.

baby quilt

Sunday was another travel day and a stop at the Bass Pro Shop and Knife store.  You know men and their toy's.  HA!  But they do have some girly stuff too.  I purchased Baby Shook's first Smokey Mountain black bear at the knife store.  Isn't he cute?!

All in all we had a wonderful family trip...Until next time!