Want to take an adventure with our family? (Virtually. Of course.)
Spring break is next week.
Well, spring break according to Riley’s school schedule.
And since we like Riley and want to include her in our adventures,
we declare next week to be our entire family’s spring break as well.
Gas prices are, um, frighteningly high.
Especially when you drive a gas machine like our Suburban.
So we are staying closer to home this year.
Just through the mountains a bit to our neighboring state of Tennessee.
Gatlinburg, to be precise.
Sure, it’s a little touristy with their never-ending pancake houses and fudge factories on every corner.
Their mini golf up a hill and their family dinner shows that seem to always involve a character named Elroy Smooch who has no teeth and wears a felt hat.
But that is okay with us.
Bergen is stoked to drive another go-cart.
Piper hopes she is old enough to man the wheel of one of those go-carts as well.
And this year, we are adding a new element to our family adventures.
Last summer my buddy Beth and I conquered the rapids of the Nantahala River together.
And even then,
I knew certain members of our family would love the opportunity to face the rapids on a little rubber boat one day.
And next week some of us get to do just that.
We are spending several days at the Nantahala Outdoor Center with big plans of adventure and excitement.
(Check out their link on the right side of the page here.)
We will be hiking, white water rafting, kayaking and exploring their outpost in Gatlinburg.
I can’t wait.
Yeah – Otto is too little to jump on a raft in cold water.
And so is Piper and maybe Berg won’t even make the weight limit. (Should we beef him up this week?)
But high adventure awaits us all in some form and I cannot wait to check it out and to share it all with you guys!
Starting next week Wednesday – I plan to take you guys on the road with our family.
It’s like our first Blog Road Trip Adventure together – right?
We get to work with the kind people over at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
They’ll let us kayak and raft and hike and in exchange I’ll write about how it works out for our band of children.
It sounds just about perfect to me.
Who’s been there before?
Anything I better pack in that big old Suburban before we hit the road?
Anyone have a favorite pancake house that our family just has to try?
I’m all ears!
11 Comments
Walter Howard
Hooray for the NOC! I have a lot of good memories from youth group trips to the river. Keep us posted on your adventures.
Helen Rutrough
I highly recommend Cades Cove. Along with the trails there is a general store, old water mill, bathrooms, and a self or guided tour you can take at one of the stops if you desire.
We love Pigeon Forge but I despise Gatlinburg. (Is that too strong a word? Um. No.) They do have some great little shops but because of the traffic, narrow streets, parking issues, too many people on the sidewalk at a time issues, and etc. I hate even thinking about going there. There is only one way in and one way out. Even Pigeon Forge traffic can be a headache but at least they have some back streets now that makes it easier to bypass some of the main drag. Pigeon Forge is not too far from Gatlinburg (maybe 10 miles to the outskirts of town) and it has tons of places to eat so you have a great variety of places from which to choose.
We have been to Nantahala Outdoor Center only as a stopover from taking the train ride through there. So I am looking forward to hearing about your adventure. Have a great time!
Rachel
We went before our kiddo, and can't wait to go back. We loved the Pancake Pantry, but they only take cash and they don't have peanut butter (which may not be a big deal, but Husband eats PB on his pancakes. but he's a weirdo). We loved Hillbilly Golf, and it was shady, which kept us from sun and my parents from rain when they went last fall. We also had yummy bbq at a bbq joint toward the "end" of the road that runs through town. Near there is also a giant rocking chair that was fun for pictures. We took the ski lift to the top, but that's pretty expensive 🙂 I would also recommend the driving trail through the forest – we saw bears! and learned all sorts of cool history stuff by stopping and reading and exploring everything.
Have fun! I can't wait to read about your adventures!!!
Allie P
Wow how fun for your family!!! Mark and I went last fall, and we declared we'd probably never go back–Vegas in the TN mountains isn't our thing. BUT had we considered doing some outdoor things at Nantahala Outdoor Center, now that may have been a completely different story! I love how you're getting to do these things in exchange for blogging about them, it'll be fun reading about all of your adventures.
Our favorite thing there, was the Bass Pro Shop. =) And our short, but quiet hike through the national forest. And we did have this AMAZING steak and potatoes at this hole in the wall bar/grill that had karaoke, but that probably isn't where you'll end up. However I still think about that mouthwatering meal from time to time. It could be enough to drive me back to Gatlinburg. =)
LaceyKeigley
I hear you Allie.
We feel the same way – Vegas in the TN mountains.. exactly. Have you ever driven through Cherokee on the way home? Much worse!
But the Outdoor Center should redeem it all for us – so we hope!
@mommymcg
While you are there, make sure you get off the beaten path a little and take a drive through Cades Cove. Lots of little hikes (our favorite is Abrams Falls) and lots of animals to see. It was our favorite place to hang out on the weekends when we lived in Knoxville. If you are looking for a good dinner spot don't miss Calhouns in Gatlinburg. My favorite bbq steaks!! Have a great time. Such a great time to go up there!!
LaceyKeigley
Cades Cove sounds great.
I am not sure in which direction our hike is – but that is scheduled in there somewhere!
And Calhoun's – I will write that down.
Maggie
My favorite place to eat is the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe. They have amazing Fried Green tomatoe sandwhiches. And they have this AMAZING light fixture that looks like an acorn! It is in Pidgeon Forge. Mike and I also enjoyed Hillbilly Mini Golf in Gatlinburg and Farm Golf by Ripleys Believe it or Not in Pidgeon.
LaceyKeigley
Fried Green Tomato sandwich?
I will have to think about that one Maggie.
But the light fixture sounds cool.
And I think we'll have to play some mini golf – the kids have always wanted to and they have only played once – a neon indoor golf course with their grandparents.
T.J.
Sorry, no suggestions here. I've never been there before, so you're going to be my virtual vacation! Thanks! =) That place sounds cool. If we get to head east this summer, maybe it will be one of the places we visit.
When you mentioned gas prices limiting how far away you can vacation, though, it reminded me of the Flat Stanley project that kids do in elementary school. Have your kids ever done it? I never did it myself, but my little cousin sent me hers (a cut out drawing of herself), and I took it around where I live and took pictures of "her" everywhere–the usual touristy places and some random shots, too. (I got a little carried away and wrote captions or a story about her adventures out here.) Then I sent my flat cousin back with the photos and little mementos. I loved it, and it wasn't even my project! It's a cool and easy way to pretend like you've gone on vacation, and you might even learn something new about a place you've never been. =)
Have a great vacation!
LaceyKeigley
The Flat Stanley project is a great idea.
We have done it once before with a friend – we had "Flat Raven" and "Flat London".
But that's an idea that would be great to repeat every now and again.
Thanks for the reminder.