Anakeesta.....

Anakeesta...They advertise it as a theme park, but it's really not.



It's situated at the top of a mountain overlooking the ski town of Gatlinburg, Tn. It's beautifully landscaped and has some incredible views.








They also have a single rider rollar coaster called the Rail Runner. It's the first of it's kind in the United States because it rides on a single rail. My daughter and her friend rode it, but I passed. She enjoyed it, but said they could've cleaned up all the construction stuff they left lying around, which was in full view as they rode down the mountain.






They also have a really cool swinging bridge trail that takes you through the tree tops.



On our way down we got a really nice view of Gatlinburg. All in all, it was a nice trip and the food at the top is very good, but be prepared to wait in line. There's just not enough restaurants for the amount of people that are up there. Other than that, I would definitely recomment it, even if you just go for the scenery..:)

{{hugs}}

Trista

mini golf or putt putt?

Which do you call it? I've always called it putt putt. Not sure why. I mean...sounds kind of weird, doesn't it? Putt putt seems more like a small car putt putting along rather than describing miniature gold. Not even sure where putt putt came from, but it's how I've always heard it.

Anyway, regardless of what it's called...:) When we were camping this last trip, we played a round of putt putt.

We had to take a train to the top of the hill and then work our way down the hill by playing the various rounds of mini golf.



My daughter's bestie giving her putt putt lessons...:)

This is my daughter's bestie. Should she go pro? :)






The course was decorated with all kinds of waterfalls and bridges. Even a plane, which is what attracted my daughter to it. She loves anything to do with planes.



Selfie time!! From right to left my daughter, her bestie, and me..:)

After putt putt we headed to The Island in Pigeon Forge for some Ice Cream..:)



It was so good!!



Then we stayed for a bit and watched the fountain. I hope the video uploaded. It's a really cool show..:)

After all this we headed back to the camper for a good night's rest. We had plans to get up early the next morning and head to Anakeesta. Pictures on that to follow soon..:)

Hope you enjoy!

{{hugs}} 

Trista

Camping time...

Before my daughter headed off for college we took one more camping trip. This time to Wears Valley, which is right outside Pigeon Forge in Tn.



Check out the view of Wears Valley from the top of the Parkway. It's gorgeous up there. Not so fun pulling a camper, though...lol



Once we got the campground, it was time to set up and enjoy the view.



The campground is called Honeysuckle Meadows. It's a small campground. It does have a pool, but no showers. The lots are really big, too, as you can see from the picture. It has lots of space and it's very quiet.



Our dog loved it. As you can see, she was in heaven...:)




Had to put the beauty shot in there, of course...:)



The girls enjoyed it, too. We grilled burgers for dinner and just enjoyed the scenery.

We did lots of other stuff as well, including miniature golf and Anakeesta, which I'll post pictures of in the next post. Hope you enjoy!

{{hugs}}

Trista

The perfect camping trip

Okay, maybe not from my perspective, but certainly from my husband's..lol. As you all know, my husband loves to fish. Being on the lake in his boat is his happy place.



I can tolerate the boat for a while, but with my fair skin, the sun gets to me after a bit. Which is why you'll usually see me in long sleeves and a hat..:)



And nope. Still will not hold the fish..lol

For this trip, we took the camper to Blue Water resort in Dayton, Tn. It's a really nice campground on the lake and one of the only ones I've found so far that will let you keep your boat on the campsite with you. They cater to fisherman and I really like that. It makes it so much easier when you have a big 5th wheel and a boat.



The view from our campsite was pretty nice too. Even our dog, Nay-Nay liked it..:)

I especially liked the swing. I sat in that thing every morning and enjoyed a cup of tea watching the boats go by.



And of course, there were also the sunsets on the lake.



It was a fabulous few days and I'm actually looking forward to the next trip, even if it is a fishing trip..:)

{{hugs}}
Trista

Things we do...

My husband is a big fisherman and has been trying to get me to go fishing with him for years. This year, I finally gave in and started going some. It's not too bad. Sometimes, I just like to go and take pictures of the water.



As above, so below...:)

Some days I even catch a fish or two.



Still can't bring myself to hold one...lol

At least I'm going with him some and that makes him happy. Or at least he says it does...lol. Maybe one of these days I'll catch a big one...:)

<sigh> The things we do to make our spouses happy.


{{hugs}}
Trista

Fall Creek Falls

Fall Creek Falls is a gorgeous park located in Spencer, Tn and is one of the largest and most visited parks in the state. It has hiking trails, a lake for fishing, swinging bridges, waterfalls, and of course camping..:)

Here's the view from our camper on our last camping trip to Fall Creek Falls. Gorgeous..:)



Here's a swinging bridge that goes across the waterfall pictured below it. It's also the trailhead for the 2 mile roundtrip hike to the main waterfall.






And here she is. The tallest waterfall in the state. Fall Creek Falls. There's also a trail that goes to the bottom, but it was a little too rainy to attempt that one.




Despite the rain, we had a really good weekend. It didn't rain a lot and the clouds kept the temps down and made it perfect campfire weather. We even got to use our electric fireplace in the camper. That's always cool.



And of course, we always wear out our dogs..lol. Here's Baily down for a nap..:)



Poor girl just can't keep up..lol

I hope you enjoy our adventures because there's more to come..:)

{{hugs}}
Trista

A walk in the park

Sounds easy. A walk in the park.



It was if you don't count the hills..:)

I love hiking. It's one of my favorite things to do. I have some interesting experiences on hiking trips. Like the time I had a little um....accident...a mile from the trailhead on my back from the waterfall...lol.

That's an experience I won't live down anytime soon..:)

While on our last camping trip, we took a hike down a trail at Cloudland Canyon. It was a short hike. They had a longer one, but we chose to save that for the next time, plus we had the little one with us, my Pekingnese Nay-Nay, who just couldn't seem to stay out of the creeks along the way..lol.



She's not in the picture above. I should've taken one of her in the water, but I was too busy holding her leash and keeping her from chasing after all the birds and squirrels. That dog went nuts over the squirrels.

The hike wore her out and by the time we got back to the camper, she found her spot and stayed there...lol



Yep, that's one tired and spoiled dog...lol

{{hugs}}

Trista

Ruby Falls

Today is more pictures from our camping trip to Cloudland Canyon. While there, we decided to take a side trip to Ruby Falls. For those that don't know what that is, it's a 145 foot water fall deep in a mountain in Chattanooga.

It's a cool experience...:)



You have to take an elevator down over 200 feet into the mountain and step out into a whole nother world..:)



It has pathways through the mountain lit up in colorful lights. It's very pretty and peaceful down there.



That's my son walking ahead of us. At 6'3, he kept having to duck so his head wouldn't hit the ceiling..lol



The blue lights to the left illuminate an underground creek.



More colorful lights that illuminate rock formations.



A formation called the crystal chandeleer.



And of course, Ruby Falls...:)

It's well worth the trip and the half mile hike through the bowls of the mountain to get there. If you're ever in Chattanooga, check it out..:)

{{hugs}}

Trista

Camping life...

Earlier this week me, my husband and our 24 year old son took the 5th wheel to Cloudland Canyon State Park for a short camping trip.



Cloudland Canyon is a nice campgroun situated at the top of a mountain. The hill going up was a nail biter, at least for me, but then I'm a nerveous personality. After a steep climb and a couple of hairpin turns, and a few gasps of "oh my god, we're gonna die or roll off this mountain, I just know it," we made it to the top. Above is out campsite. I loved all the trees and can't wait to see it in the summer. If the weather had been just a tad warmer, I would've had the hammocks out.

Despite being chilly, the weather was nice enough to walk a few of the trails. The overlook trail was very nice and offered a view of the canyon below, which is what gives the park it's name.



Here are a couple of chairs to enjoy the view..:)




There is a trail along the rim of the canyon where you can see the waterfall below. The trail is paved and level, so it's an easy hike.



You can also hike to that waterfall, but my knees weren't up to the 600 stairs you have to climb down in order to get to the bottom. Maybe next trip.



There are lots more pics to follow, so check back for more details of our trip to Cloudland..:)

{{hugs}}

Trista