Tennessee

This post as been difficult for me to write.

I was really hoping that our vacation would have been relaxing and fun and exciting.

Filled with adventure.

I was hoping that attitudes would be positive.

Not snappy and short.

That Ted would magically be able to do things again.

Not be so very tired.

I was hoping that all of these medications would make our trip easier.

and that this wheel chair would help him not be so tired from walking.

For a good part of the time that was not the case.

Really, though, I can't complain.  Traffic was amazing on our way down to Cave City, KY.

Our first meal was BBQ with real southern sweet tea like Ted wanted.

Tours through Mammoth Cave didn't happen.  Ted was not feeling well at all.  And a teenage girl's attitude was truly off the hook.  The kids and I were able to go for a walk and see some rocks while Ted sat in the car and waited for the medication to kick in.

Once it did, the tours were all sold out that he could do, so we drove around a bit and saw a mama doe with her still spotted fawn.  They could have cared less about our presence.  We could have watched them all day long.

In the national forest, there are several places to go for a walk.  Ted was feeling better, so we took a stroll along a boardwalk that surround a swamp filled with frogs and little blue lizards that Alyssa kept trying to catch but couldn't.

Once we made it to Gatlinburg, TN, we met up with some friends we have known for almost 15 years.  It was so nice to chit chat with them and eat shrimp.  Lots and lots of fried shrimp, because what else do you eat at Bubba Gump's?

The next day no one was picking a place to go, so we got in the car and found a waterfall out in another national forest.  When Ted feels better, I would love nothing more than to hike in that forest and see so much more of it.

So would Christian.

I was very thankful that the fall was about .1 miles from where we could park so that the four of us could enjoy it together as a family.

That afternoon, we took off to Pigeon Forge area and hit up Parrot Mountain where we met a lot of beautiful birds.  This pelican and his friend below him were so gorgeous and were full of dancing and playful silliness.

Check out those colors!  

Ted made so many bird friends. Sasquatch's must have a knack for talking with animals.  He even had them eating out of his bare hands.

The molting was real.  And this cockatoo adored Ted's touch.

Then they had to have these guys.  This Indian Ring Neck Parakeet brought back so many memories of my Wilbur.  I miss that bird so much.  He was a great friend to me.

Alyssa had a few that were way more interested in the bracelets than being held or pet.

Me?  I had a nest in my head.

These birds adored, Ted. Who could blame them?

Christian was actually smiling (that's a smile) and having a good time with the birds as well.

No matter how hard I tried to get a good pic with him, this was the best I could do.

After Gatlingurg, we headed off to Nashville.  The first night we had dinner on a dock on Percy Priest Lake (more fried food) and listened to a really good guitarist/ singer.  It was nice to just hang out a bit, eat dinner and watch the water.

One of the items we did decide to do was take a trolley tour of Nashville.  That way we could see some of the major sites without having to drive around the town because, well, I'm not a fan of city driving at all.

One of the stops was at the farmer's market where we were finally able to agree on where to eat.  I handed everyone money and said let's meet back at the table and went our own separate ways. 😉  Ted and Christian ate at a Mexican chain... BORING!  Alyssa ventured off for a gyro and I had a po boy.  It was amazing!

Then there was Jeni's ice cream. If you are EVER in an area that has this, go.  You will not be disappointed.  I tried every flavor and settled on a half scoop of brambleberry crisp and lemon crisp.  So so good.  Ted and the kids also had some and taste tested every flavor.  It was well worth the money to try something new.

After the ice cream, we headed to the Marathon Automobile building where several little shops are located.

One slightly popular shop is also located there.  Although we didn't run into anyone from the show, we still enjoyed looking at things we had seen Mike pick up out of some one's barn and clean it up nicely.  Of course ALL of the items here were WAY outside our price range, but it was still fun to look at.

Oh, I forgot to mention, trolley day in Nashville was also rain day.  I accidentally left my umbrella on that trolley.  Oops.

That night we were surprised by Ted's niece and great nephew and sister.  We were all pretty hungry and didn't know where to go, so we went to Opryland Hotel because the website said they have 14 restaurants to choose from.  Most were closed. :(

We had a lot of time to wait for Jack Daniel's food, so we took pictures.

And more pictures.

Then we ate.  Sadly, we thought we were more hungry than we really were.  And Oh My Word!  The food at that place was EXPENSIVE!!!

But we got to see everything lit up really pretty.  This picture is Sami pushing Ted in the wheel chair.  Those ramps are a great leg and glute workout when pushing a sasquatch in a wheel chair.  Plus, Sami was celebrating that her phone that got knocked out of my purse and managed to fall down the elevator shaft didn't have single scratch on it.

Can't go to Music City without music notes.

Our last day in Nashville, we went to the Parthenon.  Micah was a bit rambunctious, so Uncle Ted took him for a ride.  This picture scares me a bit... Ted is looking more and more like his dad! 

After our visit to Greece, we went striper fishing.  Alyssa had a grand time.  Can you tell?

Even though we didn't catch anything, I had a fantastic time taking pictures and simply floating on the Cumberland River.

The scenery was amazing.

Our last night in the south, we HAD to eat at Waffle House.  So so good.  Maybe I should open one up here in Michigan???

Finally, homeward bound through great traffic, little construction, and terrific time.  

That next Sunday at church, my grandma handed me a gift.  As I looked at it, I almost cried.  She bought me the same bracelet I had in my hands twice in Nashville, but decided not to buy.  The three travelers and I were the only ones that knew that I put it back on the shelf.  I didn't need to spend that money on me on something that I didn't need.

God thought otherwise.

So even though our trip was more difficult than I would have hoped for, it was still nice to be a family again.  To spend time with my loves and reconnect in ways we wouldn't have been able to do while at home because home is normal.  I am so thankful for the many pictures taken and memories engraved on our hearts.