Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 5 Pt 1 (Housekeeping and Grotto Falls)

This was indeed a day of great pictures. So there will be two postings. We started the day with swimming, laundry and cleaning. The kids were intrigued by the ancient vacuum and they asked about the bag on the back. 

Eventually we headed out and grabbed lunch at Rick Allen's BP. This may seem strange, but the little convenient store grill had its good reputation shared with us by a Hilliardite.

After lunch we trekked 1.3 miles to and from Grotto Falls. Nearing the falls, horses approached and passed us. When we got to the falls we learned from other tourists, who were familiar with the horseback riding guides, that the horses were heading further up on a rescue trip.

The panoramic photo shows one curve on the trail. We were probably halfway up/down.

The last two pictures were taken along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, during our return from the falls.

Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 4 (Mountain and Gatlinburg)

On Tuesday we ventured down the mountain on the Tramway from Ober Gatlinburg. We had lunch at Johnny Rockets on the Parkway. Then we went to Ripley's Aquarium. While Mommy and Vanessa were taking a potty break, Daddy spotted Honey Boo Boo. It was quite hilarious -- not our top pick for a celebrity sighting. At the aquarium the kids were ichthyologists and paleontologists. It was worth its chunk of change.

After a fulfilling visit, we walked through the downtown Mountain Mall and walked through the Village, where we had donuts, coffee and co cola. We headed back up the mountain on the Tramway and played a little at Ober before heading back to the condo. (The last picture on the return trip up shows the condos we stayed in -- on the peak of the mountain.)

Right after we got back to the condo, a few severe storms moved in. Swimming was delayed until the storms moved out, so Vanessa and Zane practiced tai chi while they waited.

It was another great day . . .

Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 3 (Hiking)

Day 3 was full. We started the day with granola bars and condo entertainment (robot; ninja practice; acrobatics). We then refueled on pancakes and country breakfasts before hiking about 2.5 miles to and from Laurel Falls. (Zane and Vanessa picked up their vacation friends from the pancake restaurant.) We stopped by the Sinks (where Daddy taught Vanessa to cross the river to skip rocks.) And we drove by Meigs Falls. We explored Newfound Gap and hiked up to an observation tower at Clingmans Dome. We claimed two states in  this day's adventure and discovered a new road sign we had never seen before. We concluded with a dip in the pool.

 Can you see Mommy, Vanessa and Zane on far left of ledge?

 Another bear sighting!