Our Trip

We just got back from a trip to the Smokies. First time for Roman and first time that Carson can remember! It was a fast one but so fun! We stayed at the Clarion Inn Willow River this time and it looked like an old southern plantation house instead of a hotel. The back of the hotel very closely resembled the White House. Very impressive! It had an indoor pool with a hot tub(which the boys loved) and an outdoor pool with a lazy river(which I loved). It was a bit far out from the main attractions of Pigeon Forge...it was in Sevierville and about 10 miles from the red light to go to Dollywood. We went to the Wonderworks Museum and it was fun for the kids and Neal especially! Neal and the boys all climbed a rock wall while I took pictures. We got to experience what hurricane force winds feel like in this one simulator. It was mostly a science type museum which is right up Carson's alley. For supper that night we were in search of a Pancake house. We couldn't find any that were open except the chain IHOP....so we ate there. The kids devoured their breakfast for supper so it was a good idea to stop there. We had eaten earlier for lunch at Fudrucker's and the kids didn't hardly touch their burgers. Dollywood was HOT the day we went. It was in the nineties that day with some passing thunderstorms. They had to stop the rides twice for thunder and lightening while we were there. We all loved the River Battle the best I believe. You get soaked! The boys (and me I will admit) loved shooting the water guns at people. We all rode Blazing Fury which ended up being a bit much for Roman we found out too late. It was a little scary since it was indoor roller coaster and mostly in the dark. Roman however LOVED Daredevil Falls which scared Carson and I quite a bit! The rampage was shut down while we were there so that was disappointing but overall a good hot day. Except for when we got poop splattered on us from ducks flying overhead...it was so disgusting!! It covered this family sitting on a bench as we walked by and we got the leftover splatters. Thought Carson was gonna throw up on the spot. We washed off in a bathroom and headed for a water ride to help get cleaned up. On the way home, we stopped in at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and it was neat to watch the fish swim. Neal and the boys LOVE going there and I actually don't mind it either. Reminds me a little of my dad's store growing up I used to work there. We were all so exhausted from the trip that we slept at least 8 hours the night we got home. The boys slept about 10!