Tuesday In Gatlinburg

We started off the day at Wonderworks where we sampled a bit of their wonder. Then we went to the outlets - well the Disney outlet and may have purchased a few things. Then we made a stop at Starbucks before heading back to the condo for naps (Maribeth had to return to Nashville for a class but will return tomorrow). Lynnette, Lindley, Everley, and I decided to spend the afternoon in Gatlinburg, along with about a billion other tourists. We bought a few things and ate dinner before heading back for a swim in the less-than-pristine pool at the condo. Oh well, it was a great day!!

Wonderworks - Lindley the astronaut. She seems very happy about being in space.

Everley in space. Apparently in her suit, the sleeves are optional

Lynnette climbing the wall. She rang the bell at the top.
I personally believe she has climbed walls before ...

Bed of nails, Everley style. Who apparently has humongous feet.

Bed of nails, Lynnette style. Lindley preferred to supervise.

Bed of nails Maribeth style. Who was prepared to go straight to her coffin,
should the nails prove fatal.

At Mellow Mushroom, just before the cup of milk went splashing all over the table.
But we didn't cry, because you don't cry over spilled milk.
However there might have been tears over the substandard crayons ...

Post dinner dessert. One chose Dippin Dots and the other chose Cheetos.
Different strokes for different folks and all that.
Both were happy and that's all that mattered!!

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Today was a gift because: fun at Wonderworks, the Disney store, and Starbucks; walking around Gatlinburg and eating at Mellow Mushroom and Dippin Dots/Cheetos; swimming in the pool

Dollywood!!

We got up to a fairly decent start at Dollywood. Except that the parking lot was filling up by the time we got there. And then we had to get Lindley a ticket. And then we had to get Lindley and Everley measured so they could get a wristband to say which rides they could ride. And it was hot. And to get to the roller coaster that the girls could ride, it was pretty much a trek uphill.

But we got there and Lynnette, Lindley, Maribeth, and Everley got on the roller coaster. And all was good - until it got started. Then Lindley had a massive change of heart that Lynnette could only help by holding her tight until the ride was over. Needless to say, I think Lindley will be carefully considering the next roller coaster she attempts ...

Yeah, maybe this wasn't the best idea ...

What goes up, must come down. And eventually to the end of the ride.
Which was probably the only thing Lindley cared about.

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Today is a gift because: fun (mostly) at Dollywood; getting stung by a bee (gifts come in all sort of packages); dinner from Olive Garden

Travelin'

Today was our last day at Disney - and my first day in Pigeon Forge. Our flight from Orlando was to leave after lunch, which meant I would get to Nashville in the early afternoon. My car was parked at the airport, so I would get in it and head to Pigeon Forge to meet up with Maribeth, Lynnette, Lindley, and Everley who would already be on their way.

My plan was to take a carryon suitcase, so I wouldn't have to wait at baggage claim (when Steve takes his golf clubs, I always check my bag - why bother with it?). In my bag down to Orlando, I had packed a "zippy bag" for this very purpose. What is a zippy bag?  It's a cheap Wal-Mart duffle bag that zips up small so you can pack it in your luggage for this very reason. So, I packed it and thought I was good to go.

I was until Steve and Molly determined that my zippy bag was too big to be considered carry on luggage. They kept doubting as we left the room and walked down the hallway. Finally I asked Molly what she really thought, and she convinced me that it probably was too big (although I still think it would have been fine). So, in the middle of the hallway, right beside somebody's door, we switched suitcases. I unloaded my stuff and Molly unloaded hers (she had packed in a carry on), and with stuff all over the place including the floor, we switched suitcases. Which possibly entertained the man who came out of the room that we were unpacking/repacking by.

With the luggage issue settled, we had lunch and then headed to the airport. Of course the weather was an issue, as thunderstorms were showing up here and there. But once we took off and were in the air, the flight was fine. We landed, I got in my car, and headed East. After a few stops for gas and snacks, I pulled into our condo place and met up with the rest of our party. We decided to pick up McAllisters for dinner and decided to call it a night. It's super quiet here, the temperature is decidedly cooler than Orlando, and we have a pretty good view.  I think I'm going to like it here!!

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Today is a gift because: lunch with Steve and Molly at Wolfgang's; safe, smooth flight home; safe trips to Pigeon Forge for both cars headed there; McAllisters workers; condo view and peacefulness

Happy July 4!!

Today's plan was simple - eat and go stake out a spot for fireworks at the MK. Molly and I had lunch at The Brown Derby - Cobb Salad and the Grilled Waygu Beef Burger (maybe some part of that was healthy). Then we headed for the MK, armed with a camera and several magazines to read while we waited (seriously, people were already camped out when we arrived).

The fun part started when the clouds started to form and darken. Do we have 149 WDW rain ponchos at home in Nashville?  Why yes, yes we do. Did we bring any with us to WDW this time? Why no, no we didn't. Which is probably why we have 149 WDW ponchos. Well, make that 151 ponchos now, because I bought two more. And a beach towel to sit on (the pavement was fry-an-egg hot). There was lightning in the distance, but luckily it came no closer. And eventually the fireworks started, and they were certainly worth the wait!!

Clouds. Dark. Not happy clouds. Nevertheless, people are starting to stake out their spot.

Like these people. Who are hoping that it will not rain. Silly people!!

These people are wet. But they have new WDW rain ponchos. And a spot for the fireworks. And wet bottoms.

But it was all worth it!!  Happy July 4!!

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Today is a gift because: lunch with Molly; sitting in the rain waiting for the fireworks; July 4 fireworks; listening to people talking around us

July 3 At The World

This has been pretty typical weather for the summer in Orlando - hot, rainy, humid, and repeat.  For instance, here is some rain we had today (and probably yesterday). It didn't last long, but was pretty intense for awhile.

The good news is that most of the time, this happens in the afternoon, otherwise known as nap time. We managed to spend the other part of the day eating and shopping as planned. Molly and I had breakfast at "Be Our Guest" in the Magic Kingdom. No calories in this breakfast!

After golfing, Steve joined us for an early dinner at LeCellier. He and Molly love the poutine there. Actually, we had potato soup, poutine (french fries drenched with various toppings), and enhanced smashed potatoes. Starch, anyone?

Our next quest was to watch the July 4 fireworks at the Magic Kingdom (they do the fireworks on the 3rd and the 4th, probably for crowd control). We were going to watch it from our hotel, which is on the lake across from the castle. But then some real weather broke loose - rain and lightning with a real attitude. For a while we watched the weather from inside the building and waited for the fireworks. Which never quite got started. We went outside and stood in the rain for about three minutes and then decided to call it a night and watch the fireworks tomorrow night with the rest of the bazillion people at Disney World. Later we found out that the fireworks did go off - about and hour and a half late. We were probably in bed by then (we are old fogeys).

Anyhow, just to give you an idea, this was some of the lightning that happened over the castle. And no, I did not take any of these photos. When lightning is around, I am inside. However, it was pretty spectacular!! Sort of like a Disney movie!!

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Today is a gift because: breakfast with Molly and dinner with Molly and Steve; waiting for the fireworks