Heat, sweet tea, and fried foods are not for me - PTR - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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Heat, sweet tea, and fried foods are not for me - PTR
Since I'm leaving Sunday (6 days) I thought I'd jot down a few notes over the next week sharing my upcoming trip. Five years ago we went to DH's family reunion in TN. The reunion is normally the 2nd week of June and has been for countless years. Well, this year it's mid-July due to me. DH's aunt asked when we were coming again and he explained that my school doesn't get out in time for us to go so she said she would see if the family would change the dates so we could go. That's exactly what happened! they changed the dates to a month later just so I could attend. When DH told me they changed the dates and then asked me if we should go. My immediate reply was of course! They changed the dates just for us and DH liked the place we stayed before (apparently the family changes the place each year) but they reserved the same place as 5 years ago when we were there. I felt obligated to go which is how this trip came about. The last trip we traveled with my DMIL which was not as relaxing as it could have been and also DD came with us. I made an executive decision to not include her this trip. She would not enjoy most of the attractions (history and country music) that we were planning on and since DMIL is in Alaska currently there wouldn't be a visit with grandma for DD either. The money would not be worth an unenjoyable trip for her plus she got to go to Disneyland in April, well so did I but DH doesn't want to go alone and this will be our first trip with just he and I, we've done weekends away from home but in the same state we live and no real vacation trips.
Cast
Me, Bonnie, 55, 43 year Alaskan currently living in WA state, working on my PHD, teacher, mom of 2 daughters, granny of 3, enjoy travel and planning it, writing, reading, sewing & crafts.
DH, Chuck, 53, originally from Chicago, lived in Alaska 18 years, loves racing (cars) and his family.
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I've been watching airfare fairly close over that past several months and between Seattle and Nashville/knoxville/Atlanta - flying into Nashville was definitely a better deal. The reunion is actually in Pigeon Forge so I figured flying into the cheaper option and driving would be our best bet.
My parents have been country music fans all their lives and when I grew up I didn't know there was any other type of music until I was 11 or 12. My DH still listens to country and I do once in awhile so I thought this was my chance to go to the grand old opry! There are few modern country singers I listen to because I was raised on the greats but still I thought this would be a very cool option!
Anyhoo, plane tickets were running around $1000 and up!for the two of us which would make more sense if we were coming from Alaska not Seattle. I set us fare alerts and finally ended up snagging a deal to Nashville on Southwest. We've never flown SW so will be a new experience and are flying back on Alaska ( I had a $50.00 off coupon) so all told we got our tickets for about $700 which was better than other fares I had been seeing.
Then I began searching for car rentals, now DH is not only a big guy but he's tall too so a little car is difficult for him to get into and out off so I was hoping to score a SUV. Normally I rent through Costco (if you are familiar with them?) They've always had the best prices and free upgrades and free 2nd driver but no more - oh they still have free 2nd driver but there are now other companies that have better prices. I finally found a SUV rental for less then $350 for our 8 days so I was quite happy with that. So now I have transportation.
We fly out Sunday, July 17th on Southwest at 4:55pm arriving at 10:50pm, pick up our rental vehicle which will be our means of transport for the next 8 days. We return to Washington on Monday July 25th on Alaska airlines leaving around 5pm and arriving about 8:30pm I think.
DH does not care if I go wander about while he visits family so I had choices to make. I originally pondered returning to Dollywood because when I went with DMIL we didn't stay long and I wanted to see a bunch of things I did not get to however after seeing the weather forecast I have decided not to go - first because they do not open until 10AM which means it's already getting warm and with temps forecast in the mid to high 90's I can see myself getting heat stroke!
So I decided to not go, that much heat is not my friend. This means I got to look at other options.
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Because we arrive so late on Sunday, although on our time it will be 8pm even if the clocks say 11pm when we arrive. I've been working on getting up earlier and earlier everyday this week which makes me go to bed earlier hoping that will help me adjust to the time change at least a little bit.
We are staying at a hotel only about 10 minutes from the airport and apparently there is a 24 hour Waffle house next to the hotel so if we are hungry we can at least grab something although I don't like to eat that late normally.
Monday
Our first order of business will be to find ice and water bottles before heading to Etowah which is around a 3 hour drive. DH has family there that is not doing well health wise and will not be attending the reunion so wants to stop for a short visit. After we leave there, about 30 minutes away is a Historic fort that had to do with the Revolutionary war (if I remember right) and a short ways from the fort is a museum honoring an important Cherokee so I want to stop there also. (DH has Cherokee in his family). Once done with that stop we will head on to Pigeon Forge and once checked in, DH will find his aunt, uncle & cousin who are also arriving Monday while I run to the grocery store so we can have dinner.
Tuesday.
Early up and out to the Smokey mountain park, I wanted to go here last time but did not get to so am excited to be able to this trip. We'll probably have breakfast or brunch out on our way back.
After dropping off DH because all the rest of his family is supposed to arrive today I am going to check out the Christmas Place. This is another place I wanted to go to last time and never made it. Since I'm going by myself I get to wander and take my time without feeling I'm holding anyone else up
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. DH's aunt asked when we were coming again and he explained that my school doesn't get out in time for us to go so she said she would see if the family would change the dates so we could go. 
That's exactly what happened! they changed the dates to a month later just so I could attend. 
When DH told me they changed the dates and then asked me if we should go
. My immediate reply was of course! They changed the dates just for us and DH liked the place we stayed before (apparently the family changes the place each year) but they reserved the same place as 5 years ago when we were there. I felt obligated to go which is how this trip came about. The last trip we traveled with my DMIL which was not as relaxing as it could have been and also DD came with us. I made an executive decision to not include her this trip. She would not enjoy most of the attractions (history and country music) that we were planning on and since DMIL is in Alaska currently there wouldn't be a visit with grandma for DD either. The money would not be worth an unenjoyable trip for her plus she got to go to Disneyland in April, well so did I but DH doesn't want to go alone and this will be our first trip with just he and I, we've done weekends away from home but in the same state we live and no real vacation trips
Alaskan Mom aka Bonnie
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Pixie Dust
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There are few modern country singers I listen to because I was raised on the greats but still I thought this would be a very cool option!
Since I'm going by myself I get to wander and take my time without feeling I'm holding anyone else up
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