Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 7 (Mingo Falls, Oconaluftee Historic Village, & Fishing)

I'm thankful I made a list of things and crossed them off as we went. When I updated the list on Thursday, there were perfect suggestions left for how to spend our last day. We ventured over to Cherokee, NC to check out a supposed impressive waterfall that required less hiking than any of the others we did. So going was kind of a given.

Getting there was a bit of a drive up and down a chain of Smoky Mountains. But we accessed the falls via rural valley roads. Once arriving to the falls parking, we ventured up a set of stairs. At the top, we walked another 50 to 60 feet to a small wooden bridge. Indeed Mingo Falls was impressive. Daddy decided to head off the trail and bridge and to climb up close to the waterfalls. Yes, I prayed we would not be screaming for a rescue. You can see in one picture where Daddy took a picture of us on the wooden bridge as he climbed up. You can also see in that picture another dad on a fallen tree trying to capture a perfect shot. Both made it back safely. :)

On our way back to Gatlinburg, we stopped at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. We took the time to explore the Historic Village. It was a worthwhile experience.

Our fishing wasn't well planned. And by Friday afternoon we just wanted to keep our promise. No fish were caught, but great effort was made. Vanessa and Zane threw in the poles, which is all that matters. (Out of frustration, Zane sometimes threw in the whole pole.) It would have helped to have seen a fish. :)

When the kids were done, they were anxious to get back to the condo to go swimming. We decided on an easy dinner of mac-n-cheese and grapes. :) We raced to the pool to find that the summer vacation season had officially begun -- there were LOTS of people. Our very kind, pool/vacation friends, the Reeds, had left the morning before. Adam and I are digging the fact that we typically vacation just before or just after the summer season.

When we left the following morning, Vanessa was torn -- she wanted to stay but she was also ready to return to friends in Ohio. Zane could have stayed. Dad and Mom would have enjoyed a little more time, but we were thankful for the time we had. Before leaving the area, we filled up on gas at $3.19. I remember when working at a gas station from 16 to 18, the average per gallon was a $1.19. A lot has changed in 20 years!

Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 6 (Parrot Mountain and Dixie Stampede)

We had another somewhat late start to the day. After millipede discoveries and lunch at Cheddar's, we headed to Parrot Mountain. This visit was added to our itinerary at the beginning of our vacation when Adam found a brochure. We talked about how cool it would be and the kids seemed extra intrigued, so it became a must. It was indeed a huge payoff. Zane has been really into birds. But here, as we planned for a picture with the kids holding parrots, and we anticipated Vanessa to be the one to freak, Zane got the second parrot on him and repeated very anxiously, but in a soft tone, "All done."  I jumped in for him. 

Vanessa became more confident with the birds. After our formal pictures, we went to a number of parrots on their perches and offered to hold them and feed them, or just feed them. Some strongly expressed they were satisfied and ready for a nap, and Vanessa figured that out quickly. She'd offer and step away if they seemed disinterested. Others, she held closely and calmly. It was quite interesting to see how natural she seemed. She called the white parrots "angel birds".  I think she could have stayed there all day.

Zane followed for a bit, but about 75% through the visit, he announced he was finished several times. 

The birds imitated our chuckles and talked to us and chimed like cellphones. 

You'll see pictures when we have multiple smaller birds on us. They loved the nectar juice we purchased to feed them. They flocked to it. It was a little overwhelming. We had to encourage one to get off of Vanessa's head. It held a strand of Vanessa's hair in its beak, as if it had plans for it. Vanessa told us when it stopped being cool. :)

This was another great visit. We ended up with a little time to kill before an evening show, so we went to the outlets in nearby Pigeon Forge.  

Around 4:30 we headed to the Dixie Stampede preshow. It was entertaining. They sprinkled in songs like Justin Bieber's Baby. The four-course meal is eaten with hands. We were offered doggie bags. Thank God! There was a ton of food left, including whole chickens and apple pastries. I would've hated wasting. The only Dolly part of the show was at the end, with her singing the concluding song. We could take pictures before the main performances. The kids liked the tricks in horseback riding the most, but the racing ostriches were rather cool too!

We returned to the top of the mountain to blowing bubbles and beautiful views.

Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 5 Pt 2 (WonderWorks and Another Bear)

The second half of Day 5 we visited WonderWorks. It's a great deal -- the variety of activities make it a great bang for your buck. Below are pictures for just a taste of what we did.

The building and foyer are presented upside down. The best description we can come up with is that this place makes us think COSI on steroids with a twist. :) Vanessa overcame some hypersensitivities through this adventure. Zane played a lot while Vanessa climbed the wall and journeyed the elevated rope course. Zane will sometimes mirror Vanessa's reactions to things -- both freaked by Daddy having his hand struck by lightning. Daddy went for a try on the 360 thing.

After a big day, we ate dinner at the Alamo and headed back to the condo, near dark. After avoiding a driver headed in the wrong direction, we returned to the condo parking lot with a bear in the dumpster.  Looked like Papa Bear.

 

And another bear sighting!