Adventure: Day One

A Keigley trip always looks a little like chaos.

Mostly organized chaos, but chaos nonetheless.

And since I am blogging on the road, a new adventure for me, this post may sound a little like chaos.

Organized chaos, maybe, but chaos nonetheless.

(What I am actually trying to say is – this post might be a bit like Virginia Woolf’s writing.  Scattered.)

Today we made it to Gatlinburg. We let the kids ride go-carts even before we bothered to eat lunch.

On every family trip we always ask the question beforehand, “What’s the one thing you most want to do on this trip? If we were in the car driving home after the trip, what is the one activity you would be disappointed about if we had never been able to do it?”

And then Kevin and I try really hard to make sure that one thing is accomplished.

Provided that it’s not insane, dangerous or pricier than our gas budget.

Today we pretty much just jumped right in and conquered four out of six kids’ desires.

(And you can’t really count Otto’s wish list since he refuses to clearly verbalize it.)

Riding the go-cart took care of London, Mosely and Bergen.  A quick stop at two outlet stores satisfied Riley.  Sometime this week we have to hop on the Gatlinburg trolley to make Finn happy.

(And even though go-carts weren’t top of the list for the oldest and the youngest daughters, they seemed to enjoy their co-ride pretty well.  Piper Finn liked the speed and Riley liked that she was required to show her learner’s permit.)

Kevin tried divinity for the first time. He did not care for it.  That was okay though – I just ate both of our pieces.

The rain didn’t start until around 5 p.m. Which worked out since we had already ridden the go-carts and we needed an opportunity to try out London and Mosely’s new rain jackets.  They work.

Bergen likes puddles.  His hiking shoes are absolutely soaked while his rain boots are completely dry as I forgot to put them on him before we walked the streets of Gatlinburg.  I guess I figured we’d just be walking downtown and he wouldn’t get all that wet. But I have known my boy Berg for over five years now.  I should have known better.

Riley seriously wants to purchase an air-brushed t-shirt. I cannot even believe those businesses are still in operation. But you know, there’s like twelve of them on the left side of the main street alone.

Our room is great. It is actually two adjoining rooms.  Which is a requirement these days for our family.  Something about fire code and regulations.

But we have two fireplaces, a balcony and two mini fridges.  You should see the candy counter.  Provided by us, not the hotel.

Fortunately there is a convenient, almost out of the way, closet just large enough for Fox’s pack-and-play to be stashed so that maybe he will sleep without being distracted by seeing us all night. I love that every Keigley baby has slept in a variety of closet spaces in their early lives.

The bath tub here is actually large enough to serve as a bed if we wanted it.  Finn used the tub as a little indoor personal swimming pool this evening.

All afternoon as we cruised through the rain in and out of little shops Finn kept complaining about having a wedgie.  When we stopped to validate the complaint Kevin quickly ascertained  the problem. “Uh. Munchie? [That’s his nickname for her.] No wonder you have a wedgie. Your underwear is on backwards.”  We chose not to remedy the situation there on the street.

Finnian hopes that the lodge’s continental breakfast serves hot dogs.

I bet this hotel’s bed will be better than our sad little mattress at home.  I am excited about this lodge too really.  It’s a blessing for us, as so much of this trip in general is.  The fantastic people over at the N.O.C. arranged the rooms for us and helped us get a great rate for our stay here.  I already love them and I won’t officially meet them until tomorrow morning.

I cannot believe how many times I have passed the KarmelCorn shop and still have not consumed any of that deliciousness.   Shameful.

The kids’ clothes are all laid out for our guided hike tomorrow, provided the rain does not stop us. I might have worried a little too much about trying to be certain the kids looked cute as well as were comfortable.  Cute kids just photograph better – don’t they?   Except I left the cord at home that attaches the camera to the computer so I will have to use only the iPhone’s photos until I get home for the official downloading.

By the way – I typed almost this complete post on my iPhone. Which was a little weird – but doable. Basically.

I’ll be updating my facebook and twitter feeds throughout the day with our family’s adventures.

And I adore your comments.

(They’re like divinity.  Or KarmelCorn.  Or vanilla fudge.  Which I did buy.  And have eaten.  Along with almond m&m’s.  All while typing this.  I feel pretty sick, actually.)