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!