Dollywood with the Fam

This crew hit Pigeon Forge the last week of May for a cabin getaway and visit to one of our favorites, Dollywood!

To continue with the theme of the current season, Seth got to do a couple more firsts while at Dollywood.  It was his very first time getting to drive the classic cars. He has always had to be the passenger, but not this time. Nope. No more height restrictions to keep him out of the driver's seat.


He also rode his very first "big boy" roller coaster, Blazing Fury (which was also Caleb's first).  He was not the least bit intimidated.  He was all smiles while we were in line and cheered as we went racing down the hills.  That was not the reaction I was expecting, but it was quite pleasant and super fun.  It isn't that Seth is not brave, because he is...very much so.  He is just not the thrill seeker that his big brother is (but then again, who is?), which fits his more laid back personality.  However, it looks like we have another roller coaster adventurer in the fam.

As for Caleb, he could NOT wait to ride the Mystery Mine roller coaster.  I had my reservations, because I rode it last time we were there and it was a bit too much for me.  No more Mystery Mine for this gal.  I am apparently not quite the thrill seeker or have as strong of a stomach as I did back in the day. Don't get me wrong, I still like a good roller coaster, but I will sit out the super crazy ones from here on out.  My life is thrilling enough without any added nausea.

Caleb was not tall enough for Mystery Mine last time, but that did not stop him from asking to ride it. I was not quite so sure Caleb was ready for it this year, either. But ever since we had informed Caleb about our Dollywood trip, he had talked much about riding it, knowing that there would be no height barrier this time. Daddy got to end up making the call on that one.  To no one's surprise, he sided with adventure and said "YES."  So, as soon as we got our park map, Caleb located it and was ready to take on the coaster.  Granny, Aunt B, and Uncle Bill went for a tour of Dolly's bus and Seth and I stayed back and played in one of the water areas while Dada and Caleb hit the ride. 

And we had a big time! 

Actually, I think it went better than Caleb's ride.  Poor guy.  I think he was quite traumatized by it.  Hmmm...maybe Momma does know a thing or two.  He was very adament that he was NOT riding Mystery Mine again.  I was pretty sure we had completely scarred him for life and that he would never ride a roller coaster again. 

Well, it didn't last too long.  Within twenty minutes, he was standing in line with Eric, Aunt B, and me for Thunderhead.  It was also interesting when Eric asked him later on what his favorite part of the day was, and he said, "Riding Mystery Mine."   What?!  He informed us that, although it freaked him out, he would totally ride it again...next time. 

Maybe. 

Aunt B won "Best Aunt" award when she surprised the boys with ice cream.  I am pretty sure she already held the title; the ice cream was only a formality.

The weather was great, the lines were not too bad, we had some delicious barbeque for lunch, got to listen to lots of good ole bluegrass music, and we rode...

And rode...

And rode...

And Got soaked!

The only negative for us was that one of our favorite rides, Daredevil Falls, was out of commission for maintenance most of the day.  Boo!!! We did get to ride it once, before it closed, but missed getting to ride it over and over and over again. 

Oh well. 

There was no lacking of other things to keep us occupied and thoroughly entertained.

We left both happy and exhausted!

Great day!