My mom and I took my two youngest kids to Tennessee for 3 nights. It was wonderful! I hadn’t had more than a day off in…oh, years, I guess. We rented this cabin:
http://www.ridgecrestcabinrentals.com/macshide.html
and it was beautiful inside and out. Got a decent rate because they’d had a cancellation and we were calling on short notice. Lovely place, way out in the boonies and very secluded so we could jump nekkid into the hot tub anytime we wanted. (Like we wouldn’t anyway.)
TBone (he’s 9) and I went on a short hike in the Smokies, and got to see bears–momma and 3 cubs–so he was pleased as could be, and pronounced it the Best Vacation Ever. The Weeping Princess (7) spent most of her time flitting from hot tub to jacuzzi, watched Aladdin 3 times a day, and overall had the Most Fun Ever.
Even Grandma, who is very much a Holiday Inn sort of gal, got over her initial fear of lovely secluded cabins and settled in nicely. Of course, she got to sleep in the big ol’ bed, while the kids and I took the sleeper sofa.
We visited the aquarium and the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museum. Aquarium was awesome, Ripley’s so-so, but the kids enjoyed it.
Next time we’re going to spend more time in the Smokies, and more time lounging around the cabin.
Overall, I give it a huge thumbs up! Can’t WAIT to go back. (We already have $50 in our Next Trip fund. It could be a while.)
On behalf of the hillbilly chamber of commerce, glad y’all had fun in the 'burg. Come again!
Thank you, thank you. I can’t WAIT to come again.
I’ve been househunting…but now I want THAT house, except I’d like it here in Indiana. (Actually, I’d prefer it in Tennessee, but I’m stuck here until the kids all grow up.)
What a beautiful state, and what a wonderful vacation!