The past week here was Spring Break and let me tell you, it was much-needed and much-enjoyed.
I worked the first few days of Spring Break, but by Wednesday evening, we were off to East Tennessee for a long weekend. My uncle and his family were there for the whole week and we totally crashed their place along with my parents (thank you, guys!) for the weekend.
We just planned to go about 2 weeks ago when I took Thursday and Friday off on a whim and then found out they were going to be there and my parents already had plans to go visit with them. It ended up being a beautiful weekend with some fun adventures.
Here’s a few of our favorite moments.
Lunch at Old Mill Restaurant
This restaurant came highly recommended by just about anyone you mentioned Pigeon Forge to.
After getting a table full of huge Southern plates, I can see why. We actually met some friends that were in town at the same time so it was a great lunch out. If only I weren’t gluten-free, I could have enjoyed the dumplings and fried-everything a little more.
If you want to experience some good Southern BBQ, I’d highly recommend Bennett’s BBQ Pit—no relation to us but I’d gladly claim them!
Horseback Riding at Walden’s Creek Stables
You might remember a post I wrote when Emma was taking horseback riding lessons a few years ago where I explained my fear of riding horses. Well, I decided to be brave and go ahead with the group ride. And y’all, it was by far our favorite hour of the whole trip.
I really thought Lexi was going to have a breakdown and insist on staying back after she got on her horse. “It’s moving!!” I felt the same way. However, after some quick reassurances from some great guides, we were all on our way down the trail.
We really had a great time. It was the perfect weather outside and everyone’s horses were well-behaved.
I don’t think any of us were ready to stop at the end of the trail. Definitely a must-do!
Titanic Museum
The four of us visited the Titanic Museum one afternoon. Lexi has been really interested in it over the last year or so, so she insisted it was a must-do. I was skeptical.
They give you a card with the profile of one of the actual passengers. As you go through the exhibit, you get to see more details about your person. At the end, you get to see whether you lived or died in the memorial room. It sounds cheesy, but it was pretty brilliant. It didn’t hurt that I got one of the richest women on board who was a famed fashion designer—who lived.
The exhibit also included a few pieces from the actual ship, which was sobering. One piece in particular has not left my mind. Someone’s pocket watch had stopped about 15 minutes after the accident and it was later found in his pocket when he was recovered. Very difficult to literally see someone’s time standing still.
I loved seeing the life-size replica of the grand staircase and Lexi declared she wanted to live in the museum. I don’t know if it was that good, but I certainly recommend it.
Titanic pictures courtesy of TitanicPigeonForge.com
Cade’s Cove
Cade’s Cove is part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is a valley where many of the settlers lived and where many of their building have been preserved which you can walk through.
Wildlife also roam the land. We hoped to see a bear, but instead got to see deer, a turkey and a coyote prowling in a field after some of the deer.
And of course, the National Park offers many beautiful views.
Over the weekend we also took advantage of the Tanger outlets literally right around the corner—maybe too much—and stopped by the famous Apple Barn to get some apple butter before we left town.
We just scratched the surface of the things to do in the area.
I’ve always turned my nose up a bit to vacationing in the mountains, always wanting my toes to dig into the sand, but I have to say this little vacation might have swayed me. The view from the resort pool certainly didn’t hurt.
We finished off our Spring Break with a beautiful Easter day celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.
I hope you had a wonderful break if you had one and have a great Monday!
Have you been to Pigeon Forge? Where did you go for Spring Break? Did you have a great Easter? Let me know!
Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing!