Our Gatlinburg Adventure (COMPLETE!) *** Conclusion added 10-07-06 *** About This Page:

[Meggera]

Wonderful pictures. More please!

[christiejay]

Day 5 - Tuesday, July 4, 2006

For this morning, Jay had originally chosen for us to visit a couple of "smaller" areas in the National Park, neither of which we had ever done before: Greenbrier and Cosby. These areas must be entered from Highway 321, which meant they were right up the road from our resort. However, we decided to do something different today, and didn't go into the National Park at all. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] We got up and ate breakfast, and then just hung out in the room. We left shortly after 9:00 and drove into Sevierville to play miniature golf, as we thought it would be best to do this first thing in the morning before it got too hot or too crowded.

Before leaving home we had decided to play mini-golf at Old MacDonald's Farm in Sevierville. (Sorry, no web site!) We chose it because it had a discount voucher offer at Reserve Gatlinburg that was a really good deal for playing all three courses. We arrived shortly before 10:00 so we had to wait in the truck for a few minutes for them to open. Soon the time arrived and we headed up to the entrance. We handed over our vouchers, and while the cashiers were familiar with them, they didn't know how to ring them up on the cash register. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] So they had to go confer with a manager a couple of times while we waited. And in the meantime they went ahead and waited on the other people who were there. Finally they got everything figured out and were able to print us out our receipt and tickets for the three courses.


Joshua and I waited patiently

We received two surprises with our tickets. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] First, we learned that Joshua would receive a free kiddy golf set as a souvenir, we just needed to show our receipt when we got ready to leave and they would give us one. Second, we were given 12 free game tokens to use in the arcade. Jay thinks they did this as a way of saying "Sorry" for taking so long to wait on us, but they didn't specifically say anything about it, so I'm not sure. Here's the names of the three courses:







We did Porky Putts first, then Chicken Egg-Spress, where I won a free game, then finished up by playing The Udder Course. Here's some pictures from our play:

















The 18th hole on each course all ended up at the same chicken coop - if you made your shot a machine next to the tee would spit out a ticket, so you can prove that you won a free game. This golf course was a lot of fun - lots of the holes had a sensor in the cup, so that when your ball went in, some sound effect would happen - animals talking, or Old MacDonald himself would make some type of comment about your shot being great, etc.

Our problem this morning was the heat - it was tremendously hot and the sun was right above us the whole time. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] And as you might imagine, there was no shade. We had put on sunscreen before leaving the resort, but still had to deal with the heat zapping our energy. The first course was fun; the second course we were starting to give out and Jay bought us some drinks from the conveniently-placed vending machines along the courses; by the time we reached the third course we were just trying to survive. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] The man behind us asked if Joshua was enjoying himself. We said yes, and he offered us a free game coupon. I laughed as I politely declined, saying that we had one already and wouldn't be using it as we were getting so tired. I just kept the ticket I had won, thinking Jay might want to bring Joshua back one evening just for one course.

After finally finishing up the third course we went inside to use the free game tokens we had. Joshua really likes skee-ball so that's what he did with most of the tokens. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] He did end up using a few to play whac-a-mole, and some type of race game. With all the tokens used up, Jay fed the tickets they earned into the ticket counting machine (a new contraption for us) and ended up losing a few credits in the process when he forgot to unfold one of the strips of tickets. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Once the tickets were counted we went to the counter with our receipt so that Joshua could do some "shopping". He picked out a styrofoam glider, a bouncy ball, a pack of lik-m-aid candy and two rolls of Smarties. Great stuff! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

We were all so tired and cranky from not having eaten since breakfast, but I was determined to make one stop before we ate lunch: The Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge. We got a great parking place right behind the shops and started by visiting the toy store. Naturally, Joshua had to play with the Thomas train set for a while, but eventually I managed to get him to come over and pick out some Thomas stuff to actually buy and take home with us. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] He has the die-cast Thomas trains which don't go with the regular wooden track, and I was hoping to find a carrying case to store all his engines in. They didn't have one, but I found two playsets that had a little extra storage space inside them. Daddy had given me some money for shopping on the trip, so I decided to splurge and use part of it to buy Joshua more train stuff than what Jay would normally have bought for him. We got both playsets - the train works which came with Percy, and the coal loader set which came with a coal car. I asked Joshua if he wanted the package of extra track pieces but he said no. However, he did insist on getting more trains - I had hoped that the ones that came with the playsets might suffice, but it's just not the same as picking out a separately-packaged engine! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] So I said OK, and he picked out Mavis and the Chinese Dragon. I gave Jay all this to pay for and took Joshua to look at the large train display in the front window.

Next, it was my turn to do some shopping, and I took Joshua into the main Christmas store while Jay went to find a restroom. I didn't have a lot of money to spend, but we usually get some type of ornament when we go on vacation, so I looked around for a while until I found something I liked: three small wooden plaque ornaments, each depicting a different part of the Christmas story. So I took those to the register and handed over my coupon for a free gift, which this year was a black bear ornament. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] We went outside and sat in the courtyard under a shade umbrella to wait for Jay. I had thought we could watch the train in the flower bed, but it wasn't turned on today. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Jay soon joined us and I talked him into walking next door to have lunch at Bob Evans. We had never been there before, but I had heard lots of people say that they liked it, so we decided to try. Joshua had a pancake and a blue raspberry drink, I had the open-face roast beef sandwich with green beans and potatoes and tea, and I think Jay had country-fried steak and tea. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/facelick.gif[/img] The food was wonderful, and since it after 1:00 it wasn't crowded. I am pretty sure we will be eating here again!

Up next: Finally, a Trolley Ride, and the Aquarium

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!!! The mini glof courses look really cool!!! Sounds like you got some great deals shopping!! Can't wait for more!!

[GoofyMom]

Wow, 3 rounds of mini-golf in the heat! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I got a real kick out of the names of all the courses! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

[Meggera]

The mini golf course names are hilarious! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] That was so funny. I would have passed out in the heat though. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] I'm glad you enjoyed Bob Evans. We have been a few times and have never been disappointed. More please!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great morning Christie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] The mini golf sounded like fun (sans the heat)!

More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

After lunch we headed back to the resort so that Joshua could have a nap. We let him sleep in our bed while we sat in the living room. Jay watched TV and I read for a while. We also needed to decide what we would be doing tonight. Originally we were going to have our cookout and stay in. However since we had our cookout and stayed in last night we didn't get to go to the Aquarium as planned. So that ended up being moved to tonight. We also decided to ride the trolley into town for two reasons: one, the free park and ride lot was basically right across the street from our resort, and two, the trolley stops right beside the Aquarium, so we wouldn't have far to walk once we arrived in town. After a while I woke Joshua up and we got ready to go.

We had a short drive over to the park-and-ride lot, then walked up to the trolley stop. Our blue trolley came along after about 10 minutes or so, and we hopped on. Joshua was really excited about this. Unfortunately, we had a very long ride as the trolley had to go out to the end of the route and turn around before heading back into town. It's a good thing we didn't have to be anywhere at a certain time. A few more people got onboard as we got closer to town and we finally arrived at the main station next to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies .


in front of the Aquarium



The Aquarium doesn't offer any coupons, the only discount you can get from them is if you buy a combo ticket, which lets you get in the Aquarium along with Ripley's Belive it or Not Museum, the Movie Rider, the Haunted House attraction and Davy Crockett mini-golf. Since we weren't going to any of those other things, that wasn't a good deal for us. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] However, my GSMA membership card allowed us to receive a discount here, so I presented my card at the register. The cashier told me to take it down to the Guest Relations window, and once there we had a little bit of a wait as it appeared that this cashier wasn't real sure about how to ring up the ticket sale. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] She never asked, so I never volunteered any information. After we paid what seemed like a ridiculously low price, I looked at our receipt to discover that she had rung up the sale as a local resident ticket for all three of us. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] What a bargain! All of us got in for a little more than what one adult admission would normally cost, when all we were really entitled to was a $3 adult and $1 child discount - extremely pleasant surprise!

We went inside and started walking through the exhibits. I was disappointed that Joshua didn't seem interested in looking at ANY of the displays. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] He would glance in each tank, then just keep walking. After learning this I was glad we didn't have to pay very much to get in. He did want to try out a few of the interactive things in the kids area so we spent a little time there. He was really looking forward to the Pirate exhibit, I think because McDonald's had just started having Pirates toys in the Happy Meals. But when we approached the room where the exhibit was, he didn't want to go in because of the cannon at the front making shooting noises. I convinced him to go in, but quickly realized the exhibit was more for adults than children - lots of skeletons and realistic depictions of pirate life. It was very well done, but not too preschooler-friendly.

Next it was time to go through the shark tunnel. I thought Joshua would enjoy this part, but he was more interested in the moving sidewalk instead of looking at the sharks. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Jay and I enjoyed it, though! After coming out of the tunnel it was finally time to eat supper. They have a snack bar here called Feeding Frenzy. There's also a nicer restaurant, but we were going for quick and cheap tonight. Joshua had a PB&J kid's meal and Jay and I each had a slice of pizza and Pepsi. Shortly past this point is the exit of the aquarium, so we finished up our meal, looked at the sting rays, then headed out to walk around for a while.




I love this shot of the flags on the Parkway

We walked through a few shops in the Mountain Mall but didn't buy anything. Afterwards we walked down to light #3 because I wanted to go in a shop we found last time called Beneath the Smoke. This is an awesome shop - about half the store consists of framed photographs of animals and various nature scenes from all over the country. The store also has a great selection of books and nature items like bird feeders and camping supplies. We looked around for quite a while here too but again didn't buy anything. We could tell a storm was approaching and it was starting to get late so we crossed the street and waited for a blue trolley in front of the parking garage.


You can see the storm clouds coming

Soon a trolley came, just ahead of the rain. As we pulled out into the street, Jay took a picture of our home base on our last trip, the Rodeway Skyland Hotel:



It was an older hotel, but the money was right for the size suite we had, and it was within walking distance of the Parkway, so I would recommend it to anybody who doesn't mind walking to stuff as opposed to paying a parking fee. We really enjoyed our stay there. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]


Here we are on the trolley. You can see the sunburn I got from playing mini-golf this morning, despite the sunscreen I used - I'm sure it all sweated off in just a few minutes!

We soon arrived back at our trolley stop and drove back over to the resort. We straightened up a few things, got Joshua in bed, then I got my shower and read for a little while before turning out the lights looking forward to another fun (and hopefully cooler) day tomorrow.

Next up: Day 6, Back to the National Park

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!!! Sounds like a really fun evening!! Can't wait for more!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Christie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] What a bargain at the aquarium [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Meggera]

I remember taking my dd to the circus when she was 3 thinking she would love it. She couldn't have cared less. I couldn't believe that she didn't care a thing about the animals, the acts, the clowns, nothing. Oh well.

The flags lined up are beautiful! More please!

[christiejay]

Day 6 - Wednesday, July 5

We woke up, ate breakfast in the room, and prepared our bags and coolers for another outing in the National Park. Today was the day Jay had picked to drive over toward Cherokee to do things. We left the resort around 7:30, and by 8:30 (it seems to take so long to drive everywhere [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] ) we were making our first stop at the Smokemont Nature Trail. This trail is located in the Smokemont Campground, where we found lots of people camping, and it looked like nobody else was there to walk the trail. We drove around the campsites and finally found the parking area.

This trail brochure had the purpose of teaching you about man's relationship to the land. You also learn that Smokemont was another logging town before the Park was established. At the beginning of the trail you have two bridges to cross over Bradley Fork:

(Oops, I've lost a picture, sorry!)



At first I was just going to let Joshua hold onto the handrail to go across, but then I noticed that the rail kind of leans away from the bridge so that it creates quite a gap beside the log you're walking on. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] The water was flowing pretty quickly underneath, so I just held Joshua's hand and we scooted our way across.

Once across the bridges, the trail begins a loop along the hillside. This trail was pretty easy to walk. There was a gentle incline, but no big drop-offs or rocks to climb over. The trail was for the most part cushioned by leaves. There is a sort of ridge that you walk along which makes up the back part of the loop. Along this part of the trail were lots of rhododendrons in bloom:



After a little while the trail begins coming back down and soon you are back to the beginning of the loop. Once back here we walked along the water's edge for a while - this section was very still. We found what looked like the remains of a well, but many of the bricks had been broken off and scattered around. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] This morning was so overcast and cool that the mist was still on the water, by this time around 9:45:



After a few more minutes we headed back to the truck, and after I walked over to the campground comfort station, we headed up the road a little ways to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. We looked inside first at the exhibits. I couldn't find anything to buy at the gift shop so we went back out and got ready for another hike. Of course before we got started Jay needed to use the restroom so he took Joshua while I waited for them.

Soon they came back and we began our hike on the Oconaluftee River Trail. If you've been to this Visitor Center before, you know that out back is the Mountain Farm Museum, a collection of various barns and outbuildings that were moved here from places all over the Park. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Well, just before you get to the farm area, the trail begins on your right next to the fence. We picked this trail because it is flat, easily accessed, and not too long - 1.6 miles. This is the other trail in the park that allows dogs and bikes, like the Gatlinburg Trail does.

This trail was different. I'm not real sure how to describe it, at least not very easily. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] First, it seemed very long. Maybe that's because there's not a lot of landmarks to pass or things to look at. Also, you have pretty much the same view for the whole distance. Once you pass the field where the farm buildings are located you enter the forest and are soon walking alongside the Oconaluftee River. The trees here are huge and very interesting - what appears to be several trees actually are growing from the same trunk at the base of the tree. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] There are several signs along the trail that tell about Cherokee legends and are even written in Cherokee alongside the English translation. The river runs along over the rocks, and during our walk we saw several people fishing. We also saw some campgrounds on the opposite shore.

After a little while you can spot the main Park road on your right. You go up a very small hill, then under the bridge which is the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. A little more walking, and the trail goes away from the River to make a little loop through the woods along what, during our visit anyway, was a dry creekbed. A small bridge takes you over this, and then there's lots more road noise. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] You eventually cross over a road and walk about another tenth of a mile to the end of the trail which is at the entrance to Cherokee. If you've been, the trailhead parking here is the same place where Chief Henry sits for pictures in front of the Saunooke Village shopping area. I took Joshua's picture in front of the Cherokee sign across the road, then we headed back. For some reason Jay didn't take his camera on this trail - maybe because we knew there wouldn't be anything to look at! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] It seemed like it took forever to make it back. I'm glad I walked this trail, but I'm not sure I would do it again. I think I need a little more variety.

So after I made a pit stop at the restrooms we were off again, this time to a place we had never been before - the Deep Creek area of the National Park. To get there, you have to go through Cherokee and drive about 10 miles to Bryson City. This is where the Smoky Mountain Railroad excursions depart from. Then you have to turn off the highway and drive through Bryson City, paying very close attention to the road signs, and sometimes just making a good guess because the signs are kind of hard to locate, and then you arrive. You know you have arrived when you see the tube rental sites all bunched together on both sides of the road, followed by nothing but trees - then you know you have crossed the boundary back into the Park. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] We were getting pretty hungry as it was now about noon (we ate our trail mix while hiking earlier), so we drove into the picnic area first to have our lunch. We ate quickly, visited the restroom, then drove further into the Park to the trailhead parking lot.

Once parked we decided to walk the shortest trail first, which was the Juney Whank Falls Trail, leading to (what else?) Juney Whank Falls. The trail is short, only 3/10 of a mile, but fairly steep - a steady incline. There are several switchbacks and finally you reach the falls. You have to go down a few steps, but then there is a very nice bridge and some benches from which to view the falls:









From here, the trail continued but we decided to go back the way we came. My hiking trails book didn't say which trail you would end up on if you continued, only that you could hike a loop. And the trail map was too congested in this area to determine which trail was which, so I thought it best to just go back on the same trail we came in on. Walking back, I heard some type of fireworks, like a bottle rocket or something like that. The whole time we were at the falls there was this teenage guy just sitting there on a bench by himself. So obviously he was just waiting for everybody to leave so he could set off his pyrotechnics. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I just don't get it. Anyway, Joshua slipped and fell on the trail and got quite sandy in the process, so I was glad we were heading back this way, as it gave me a chance to clean him up at the truck before we walked the other trail.

Up next: More Waterfalls and Yummy Food

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
I remember taking my dd to the circus when she was 3 thinking she would love it. She couldn't have cared less. I couldn't believe that she didn't care a thing about the animals, the acts, the clowns, nothing. Oh well.

The flags lined up are beautiful! More please!

[/ QUOTE ]

And the thing about Joshua not caring about the Aquarium is, when we went 2 years ago, he loved it! In fact he even wanted to go back and do the shark tunnel again. So I was really surprised at the change in his interests this trip.

[lauren-roxy]

Another wonderful update Christie!!! Beautiful photos!! MOre please!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Keep it coming Christie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

Around the corner from the start of the trail we just completed was another trail, the Deep Creek Trail. This is what everybody had come for - it was very crowded, but the trail was nice and wide, in fact it had been constructed as a road, but not open to the public for driving. I guess they might use it for service vehicles if the need should ever arise. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] This trail is very long - 14.2 miles, and actually it begins back up near Newfound Gap and ends here at the Deep Creek area. So we were in a sense going backwards. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] Our plan was to walk only the first 3/4 mile of the trail, which was just enough to see two more waterfalls, and also kept us on fairly level ground, although there was a slight incline in places. I mentioned it was crowded, and the reason why is that you can tube the lower 3/4 mile of the Creek - the point where we turned around was the farthest put-in point for tubers.

The first waterfall we passed on this trail was only about 2/10 mile away - Tom Branch Falls. It is on the other side of the Creek, and really nice. The water volume is not that heavy, but the water comes down a series of falls off almost a straight rock face and is very picturesque. In fact we had to wait a while to get a semi-clear shot because a lot of the tubers were stopping here to take pictures also.



We continued our hike and soon crossed a bridge to the other side of the Creek. It was at this point that the trail started up a gentle incline. The farther we walked, the more amazed I was at how far all these people had to carry their tubes up the trail before they could get into the water. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Soon we were at our turn-around point, which was the intersection with the Indian Creek Trail. We walked up this trail just a little bit to see the Indian Creek Falls:






A close-up

To reach the falls, you have to go down some fairly steep steps, but the view is awesome. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] The water is coming down directly in front of you so it's easy to get a good picture. Then if you turn around you can walk along the water's edge for a little ways and it is a very shady area and feels extremely secluded, even though the trail goes almost all the way around this part. After a few minutes of enjoying the views we climbed back up the steps and headed back down the trail. It was fun on the way back to watch all the people tubing. I have about decided it would be something we should try to do on another trip. Except for having to carry the tubes so far, I think it would be a lot of fun, although very cold! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Well our time at Deep Creek had come to a close so we loaded up in the truck and drove back to Cherokee. We stopped as usual at the Saunooke Village shopping area. Joshua was intrigued by the water wheel so we looked at that from the outside and inside, and looked around in some of the shops for a while. I never could find anything to get, though. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Passing the ice cream shop we decided to go in for a snack. We each picked out our own flavor for our bowls, so it took us a while to finish - there wasn't any sharing going on this time! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] After a yummy snack we went into another shopping area, the one that has the bridges across the river and the bear zoo at the end of it. I was surprised to see that they had closed a couple of the shops here and had put in their place a new haunted mine attraction. We weren't interested, but it looked like it would be pretty good if that's your kind of thing. In fact I overheard one employee telling somebody that even some men come out crying! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] We browsed a couple of shops here but still didn't find anything. I was looking for some large wind chimes, but just couldn't find any I liked in our price range. Jay didn't want to go into the bear zoo, but we did walk across the bridge and back because I had promised Joshua we would. It was starting to sprinkle rain, so we made our way across the road and walked through a few more shops, with still no purchases. We had just about made the loop back around to the truck, but I convinced Jay to make one more stop at the Christmas store. Still nothing, not even in the clearance section.

That was about all the walking around we wanted to do, and it was still raining and looked like it might pick up a bit, so we got back in the truck and headed out of town. I had wanted to stop on our way back to see Mingo Falls, as it was not supposed to be much of a walk to the Falls, but with the rain and all the other waterfalls we had seen today, it seemed like a good idea to save it for another trip. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Instead we just headed back through the Park toward our resort, with Joshua getting a little bit of a nap along the way.

Once back at the room I thought Joshua might get a little more rest if he laid down on our bed, so I sent him in, but it didn't work. We did rest for a while, though, and Jay watched TV while I read. Tonight's plan called for us to visit the Star Cars Museum, at Light #9 on the Parkway. We were going to ride a trolley into town, then walk from the transit station up to the museum. We were thinking of eating supper at Bennett's Pit BBQ, which is a block off the Parkway from Light #9, within easy walking distance from the museum. After we got freshened up we drove to the park-and-ride lot to wait for a trolley. We had to wait quite some time, I'm sure it was at least about 20 minutes, and still there was no trolley. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Well it was about this time that Joshua said he needed to use the bathroom. There's no bathroom at the trolley stop, so I had to think for a minute. I told Jay that even if the trolley came along right then, it would still take us about 20-30 more minutes to get into town where there would be a bathroom. So we decided on another change of plans and canceled the Star Cars Museum for tonight. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Instead we drove back to the resort, Joshua used the bathroom, then we adjusted our supper plans and headed down the road to The Alamo!

We love eating at The Alamo, and tonight the food was fabulous as usual. Even though it was about 6:30, we were seated right away, at the very first table behind the podium. Our server was excellent. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] His name was Kevin and he had a French accent, but almost a Cajun French. He was very attentive and helpful. Anyway, on to the food. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/facelick.gif[/img] Jay had a steak, although I can't remember what kind, and the receipt I have is just the credit card slip, so it doesn't list our food. Joshua had a child's burger which was huge - I think Jay finished it off for him. I had the steakburger and it was huge and delicious. I think I read that it is a half-pound burger. But the meat was so tender and yummy that you didn't feel like you were eating so much. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I managed to eat a few french fries, but not many. After we ate Joshua was getting restless but I knew it would be a while until the credit card was rung up, etc. Our server was great, but he did have lots of tables to attend to. So I took Joshua outside and we sat down by the stream and watched the ducks until Jay came out. By the time he arrived the rain was starting to come back in so we headed back to the resort and stayed in for the night.

I had really wanted to get out and do something this evening, and I knew that we wouldn't be able to rearrange everything on our last couple of days to fit it all in. But if Joshua had to get to the bathroom one night and cause us to miss a trip into town, at least it was the night when it was raining. Joshua picked a movie to watch in the living room, and I watched part of the July 4 parade on the local cable channel. Soon it was time to go to bed, I washed my hair and did some reading as usual, and then it was lights out!

Next up: Day 7 - Something Old, Something New