Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

This past weekend Cherub 2 and I were invited to stay with Mrs. P and Little Miss K at their cabin in Gatlinburg. The cabin was adorable - the scenery was gorgeous. We had a wonderful fun filled weekend.

Cherub 2 and Little Miss K having donuts for breakfast - they were THRILLED at such a meal.

We were visiting Pigeon Forge for Little Miss K's 11th birthday. She wanted to stay overnight at the cabin, and then to go on a trail ride (horseback). So we got up bright and early and headed to the Big Rock Dude Ranch At Ponderosa ... and we saddled up and headed up up up the moutain. Our ride lasted an hour - and it was such a beautiful ride. (photo above of the stables)

After our trail ride, we visited the petting zoo on the premises. There were potbelly pigs, rabbits, chickens, geese, ducks, goats, peacocks ... an Tom the Turkey who is having an identity crisis lately. He apparently is lonesome, or is perhaps trying to avoid a Thanksgiving Dinner Table ... he is courting the female peacocks, which of course is not going over well with the male peacocks. (photo above) Too funny !!

Photo of Mrs. P and I, Cherub 2 and Little Miss K at the Riding Stables, just before our ride.

Our family met the "P" family just a few weeks after moving to Tennessee from Maryland - that was 10 years ago this month (we moved in late October). It was so funny this weekend to watch our girls playing and chattering - and remembering them as toddlers, playing together, and other memories all through the years. What a blessing it is to have "old friends" who can say "I remember when ...."

We had a wonderful time this weekend - we laughed and giggled - and after our trail ride we headed to the Outlets to do a bit of shopping before heading home. We found more than a few bargains. I could not believe how crowded Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are ... the traffic is crazy. They are lovely towns, filled to the brim with shopping spots and tourist attractions of every variety.

Mrs. P and I are hoping maybe to spend a weekend before the holidays doing some Christmas shopping at the outlets - a Mommy's weekend away. That should be really nice !!

Thank you Mrs. P and Little Miss K for a wonderful weekend !!