Tennessee? Tennessee.

So,
  This is the post that everyone expects. The stick is that you were all there, so...

 Minimal information mostly pictures.

We flew out to TN on Saturday. It was a long day. We got up at 3 am and drove to LAX, caught a flight, had a 2 hour layover in TX, flew to Charlotte and rented a car. Then drove 4 hours to Gatlinburg TN. We arrived late, almost midnight. Some hardy folks were up still but as shortly after we walked in the door everyone went to bed.

DAY 1:

Since the first day was a Sunday we slept in a tiny bit then when everyone got home from church we visited and took a nice drive on a loop road south of Gatlinburg. There were streams and hills to climb and a few old cabins and a mill.

Day 2: We went to a really lovely picnic area on one of many rivers in the Great Smokey Mountains. Most of us waded out into the water. The cousins all had fun together.

Day 3: We were treated to a fun filled day at Ober Gatlinburg. The kids and adults had a good time. They had carnival style rides, a maze, an alpine slide, mini-golf, water-slides and more.

Like I said good time for all.

After OBER!!! we came home and Kirk organized a treasure hunt for the cousins.

Then we went to try and take a family picture. I didn't get any of those since I was in it but I did get some shots of the cousins.

Day 4: I didn't bring my camera on this one so I am having trouble remembering which epic activity took place this day (now you know why I'm a photographer). I think Kirk went mountain biking and the rest of us went to another (better) swimming hole. We saw bats, skipped rocks, saw fish jumping and had another picnic complete with stranded baby possum and old ladies angry that kids use the bathroom. Dad has pics of this day.

Day 5: Started really bright and early. Kirk and I went for a great hike up to Ramsay Cascade in the park. Stats here.

It was really nice to hike with someone. I learned that it is much harder to hike when having a good conversation and you're sweating buckets from the utter wetness this hike entailed.

When we got home some of the ladies wanted to go shopping and it was decided we would go to the outlets in Pigeon Forge. Then others (I stayed home so kids could nap) went to the arts and crafts loop in Gatlinburg. Teresa picked up some nice stuff.

When we got home Aunt Candice had organized a communal birthday party. There were balloons, a pinata, waterguns, and cake for the cousins to play with.

Eventually it was picked up and Carter put it out of its misery.

Then water fight.

I think we might've gone into town that night and enjoyed the local... culture?

Day 6: We were treated again to a fun outing. This time at the aquarium which despite being completely landlocked was really great.

Aiden waited a long time to see the baby penguin that the lady in red was holding.

This Turtle was Zoeys favorite thing. This and the slime.

Day 7 we got up really early and drove back to Charlotte for the return flight. The way back was shorter and easier. After we left a bear visited the cabin. We missed it. boooo.

The trip was filled with great food, fun games, visiting, cousins screaming and running and breaking things, adventures, and sights. It was really great to see all of my siblings and my parents. The kids loved all the swimming and cousin playtime. Thanks a bunch to all who made it and especially to Mom and Dad who made it all happen.


RTSZA

Pre Tennessee post.

So,
   This is not the post anyone expects. Since I print this blog out every year as a family journal type book I have a few things that I'd like to make note of before I to the HUGE TN post.
    In the weeks leading up to TN we were still in summer mode, out and doing fun/ cheap things. I finished hiking the three saints (San Antonio (Mt Baldy), San Gorgonio, and San Jacinto) of southern california with a trip up Mt. San Jacinto (stats here).

Interstate 10 about 10,000 ft below me. The North face of San Jacinto is one of the steepest/sheerest in the country.

Palm Springs, Joshua tree and beyond.

Summit Marker and shadow selfie.

We went to Zuma beach. It was a throwback to the old days. The kids loved it. Zoey has really become much more adventurous about water this summer and never left the waves while we were there. Aiden played in the sand and dragged huge piles of seaweed onto the shore, a huge improvement from when he wouldn't even put his feet in the sand.

We also went to the Cabrillo aquarium in San Pedro one day. It is a free (suggested donation) state park. It's a bit old and "well used" but the kids loved it. They touched tide pool animals, saw all kinds of marine animals and had a great time.

The week after that was spent with Teresa in San Diego to attend a Teaching conference. The trip had some ups and downs but it was good for her to hang out with her friends and co workers outside of work.

The day after she got home from San Diego we set out for TN which will be in the next post.

Till then,
RTSZA