home again & so sad ...

Whew, my little vacation to Tennessee was fun and eventful but too short. The drive back Tuesday was probably the longest drive home, in history. I guess maybe because I just did not want to come home. I wish I had just a little longer in Tennessee. When we arrived to River Romance late Sunday night it was cold and there was still some snow in the shaded places on the deck. Sunday was considered our down time. As soon as we got in town though we met up with our friends, Heather and Jason and had dinner at TGI Fridays in Pigeon Forge. Yummy, I love TGI Fridays! That night at the cabin though Mandi attempted to build a fire (funny, I know) and we watched a movie before heading to bed.

We got an early start to our day the next morning. We set our alarm clocks for 9:00 but who was up at 7:30, we were! We laid in bed and watched Spongebob Squarepants half the morning. (I know, I know. We should be too old for that) Monday was just mostly spent riding around the mountain roads looking at the snow on the ground. It some places we were humored because you would see snow on one side of the road but the other side was green grass. I do not like snow too much but I could not help but put on my gloves and a scarf and make Mandi stop (in the middle of the road) so I could get out and play in and let her take some pictures for me. She did it the lazy (and warm) way though by staying in her car.

I love Mandi’s Xterra so at one point I wanted to drive and since Mandi loves me, she let me. Me behind the wheel of any vehicle is probably not a good idea but this time it really wasn’t. We had a small, and muddy, off road adventure in the WHITE Xterra. I turned down a gravel road that wasn’t really a road but more like a driveway so I get to the end and turn around. Well we get close to the road and instead of just driving to the road, I turn in to this little area that seemed to be short cut. This short cut was a small hill with tons of leaves surrounding it. Over the hill we went, dragging leaves and a pretty large tree branch with us. I was so scared Mandi was going to get mad at me, but she was laughing so all was well. But here I am pullnig this massive tree limb out from under her car with my high heels and brand new jeans on. It was an interesting afternoon! No off road Hummer tours for us, we had our own!!

Dixie Stampede was great though. The show was a little different from the last time so there were new things for me to see. I enjoyed it. I love the food there. However, when we got our chicken and Mandi realized it was on a bone she did not want to eat BUT since I love her and she’s my friend I picked her chicken off for her. I mean, it was either that or what her starve, right? Dixie Stampede is always my favorite part of Pigeon Forge. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the food, or the show.

I always love going to Gatlinburg. In a way I feel like that is my second home. After all, I know a lot of the roads there and have some pretty awesome friends to see when I go. I hope I get to go again soon. Vacation feels so good sometimes and it never hurts to get away from everything.