We've gotten into the routine of taking a winter vacation, in addition to a summer one. My husband says it is his stress reliever (lol). He plans for them, saves for them and ensures that they happen!
This year we went back to Gatlinburg, Tennessee (we went there last December). Only this time we went with his sister and her husband. We had hoped that her whole family would be able to go, but unfortunately both her daughters (and her son-in-law) had to work during the time frame we were gone.
We had so much fun! I love Gatlinburg, and would really like to visit there during the summer sometime (but we usually do a beach vacation in the summer). We enjoyed strolling the streets of downtown and visiting all the little shops. We visited Dollywood, country music singer, Dolly Parton's theme park. It was really something to see this time of the year ~ over 4 million lights ~ every thing was so beautiful!
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winter. Show all posts
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Monday, January 10, 2011
Winter Storm in the South
We certainly don't get much in the way of winter storms down here in the deep south, but when we do, we tend to get a little excited. We didn't get any snow (of course). It rained during the night, but the temperature here at my house hovered just above the freezing point. So when we awoke this morning, there was nothing to be excited about.
Until about an hour later. Around 7:30 am, the temperature began to drop and it was still raining a little, and the wet trees began to freeze. But that was all. Apparently the ground was too warm to freeze and the rain stopped. I thought at one point there appeared to be some tiny little snowflakes fluttering around. But if so, that didn't last long at all.
The tops of pine trees don't handle frozen water very well. Some of them were bent over from the weight of the ice. I wonder if some of those tree tops popped off and fell on some power lines near my house because our power went out around 9:30 this morning, and stayed out until around 2:00 pm. I have a heat pump, so needless to say, it became a little chilly in my house.
We did school all bundled up in our fuzzy pajamas! We closed the bedroom doors and lit lots of candles in the living room, kitchen and bathrooms. The candles did put off a little heat and helped a little, but it was still cold. I put Lizzie's little coat on her and she took turns snuggling with us as we read and did our lessons.
So we made memories today. I love it when out-of-the-ordinary days happen along and we have a chance to learn to make the most of whatever comes our way.
Until about an hour later. Around 7:30 am, the temperature began to drop and it was still raining a little, and the wet trees began to freeze. But that was all. Apparently the ground was too warm to freeze and the rain stopped. I thought at one point there appeared to be some tiny little snowflakes fluttering around. But if so, that didn't last long at all.
The tops of pine trees don't handle frozen water very well. Some of them were bent over from the weight of the ice. I wonder if some of those tree tops popped off and fell on some power lines near my house because our power went out around 9:30 this morning, and stayed out until around 2:00 pm. I have a heat pump, so needless to say, it became a little chilly in my house.
We did school all bundled up in our fuzzy pajamas! We closed the bedroom doors and lit lots of candles in the living room, kitchen and bathrooms. The candles did put off a little heat and helped a little, but it was still cold. I put Lizzie's little coat on her and she took turns snuggling with us as we read and did our lessons.
So we made memories today. I love it when out-of-the-ordinary days happen along and we have a chance to learn to make the most of whatever comes our way.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
We took a mini-vacation to the mountains in Tennessee for a few days before Christmas to experience Winterfest in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Winterfest is just what its name suggests... a winter festival. A festival of Christmas-themed shows and events. But the biggest thing about Winterfest is the lights. More than five million of them on displays located throughout the cities. Beautiful, twinkling light displays all over town.
Since our Explorer is still in the body shop, (and we still don't have a rental car to use) we borrowed dh's father's car. It is a Buick Sentry and seats 5. So it was close quarters all the way there and back! Although we were a bit cramped while riding, it provided us some "close to one another" time (hehe). We definitely made memories this trip!
Our hotel had an indoor pool, lazy river and hot tub, and since they were located in the basement level of the building, they didn't close until 2:00 am (compared to your typical 10:00 or 11:00 pm closing)! It was really nice to come back to the hotel and play in the pool or float in the lazy river or relax in the hot tub after being out exploring in the cold all day and half the night!
The hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas. At the front desk area, there was a gorgeous nativity scene with a beautiful backdrop depicting the village of Bethlehem. I wish I had taken a picture of it...
Here we are in the gift shop area of a local restaurant, taking pictures while waiting for our food!
Will and Kate on the escalator in the mall
Ok, we splurged a bit and went for the aqua massage while in the mall. I think it was like $10 for 7 minutes or something like that.
And here I am, having a turn. I got 5 extra minutes of massage time (without paying for it). The gentleman operating these machines looked just like Santa Claus in disguise. I think he really must be St. Nick, and since I've been such a good girl this year, he gave me some extra time!
downtown Gatlinburg
A stop at the Fudgery, where we bought 1/2 a pound of chocolate peanut butter fudge, and a 1/2 pound of chocolate and nuts fudge... mmm...mmm.
Will, standing in front of a nutcracker-themed Christmas tree. This is just one of the MANY different trees at The Incredible Christmas Place. Here they celebrate the spirit of Christmas every day of the year! This place is a Bavarian-style village of shops with anything and everything Christmas.
Here is Ryan checking out the motorized hockey players on a frozen pond in the Snow Village. This shop had nothing but village accessories. I am a Christmas village enthusiast. Each year I always add a new piece or two to my collection, so needless to say, I was in Christmas village heaven here!
Kate, standing in front of a North Pole-themed Christmas tree.
The courtyard of this Christmas village was beautifully landscaped, with lots of lighted trees and lovely Christmas decorations.
We attended Christmas at the Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction. We really enjoyed this show.
Here is our family waiting for the show to begin.
Here we are at WonderWorks, a fun and educational experience for all ages. This place was way cool! Here you can experience hurricane force winds and an earthquake. You can simulate flying a spacecraft. You can climb a rock wall and you can walk a ropes course three stories high.
You can play lazer-tag, you can play in the arcade. All in all, this place has over 100 fun-filled, fascinating hands-on activities.
On Christmas Eve, our last day there, we drove through the Smoky Mountains National Park, up the winding road to the top of the snow covered mountain and down the other side.
You can see the snow-covered mountain top (our destination) in the distance.
I'm not really sure what this is that Kate is standing in front of. It looks a little like a frozen waterfall, but I don't think that's what it is. It seemed to be a large wall of icicles in front of a cave opening. Whatever it is, it was beautiful!
Will, Kate and Ryan
It was a relaxing time for our family, and so much fun. A much needed break after the wreck. I'm so thankful that we were able to go and experience this time together.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
SNOW!
Can you believe the weather forecast for the South???? We knew it's been cold down here longer than usual! DH came home from work yesterday and told us to pack up...we were driving north. Not too far, just to our hometown in Alabama! Because the weather advisory predicts 4-6 inches of snow for them. So...pack up we did and drove home. We arrived around midnight. Got up around 6...no snow. We're patiently waiting. My kids are wondering if it will really happen. They've not seen much snow. We occasionally get a few flurries and we have driven home before so they could see the snow. We're watching the weather channel and see where there is already 2 inches in Montgomery, but our hometown is about 2 hours drive north of Montgomery...so nothing here yet. But wait...now they are coming in with cries of "It's snowing! It's really snowing!" So now the snow is here! It's really coming down...beautiful! I just hope we get a few inches so they can play in it.
Now I know my northern blogosphere friends are probably laughing at my post, but this is really big for us! We never get snow. So we don't even have the necessary items needed for dealing with snowy weather...like really warm clothes, or boots, or even an ice scraper for the car windshield...lol!!!
Well...I suppose I should venture out and take a few photos to share!
More to come later...
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Icicles
Just a few photos from the "cold snap" we had down here in the south for about two weeks in January. Every few years we get a few snow flurries, but not this year. So we have adopted an idea from one of my dear IRL friends...leave the water hose on overnight and have some neat icicles the next day...lol.
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