Vacation 2019: Father's Day

We got a nice deal on a hotel in Lexington for Saturday night with one of the best hotel breakfast buffets we've had in a long time.  Since we had stopped at the Ark, we didn't end up doing anything in Lexington beside swimming at our hotel and eating some of the best Chinese food we've had.

While out and about, we drove around the University of Kentucky campus.  We drove by the football stadium and discovered the Kroger (or kROGER) field.

When we headed out on Sunday morning, we got an iced tea for the road and realized we were definitely in Wildcat territory.

We discovered we were on a mini-campus tour while passing through Knoxville and the University of Tennessee campus.  We paid our respect to the college home of Peyton Manning.

We got into Gatlinburg in perfect timing to head to our cabin, drop off our stuff, and then hit the town for dinner.  We ate at Big Daddy's Pizzeria which is a small chain in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.  

We were warned that the kids meal pizza was small so we started off with some pretzels with their homemade cheese sauce.  It was some of the best we've had (sensing a theme?).

Kevin and I got a Philly Cheesesteak pizza (which was our meal tonight and another night at the cabin).

Camden had a cheese pizza (which was a normal kid's size pizza) and a piece of sweetened dough to shape while she waited.  She made a cat which our waitress took back to the kitchen to be cooked.

After dinner we decided to check out one of the mountain coasters.  We elected the Goats on the Roof since it had high reviews.

There literally were goats on and around the main building in front of the coaster.

I elected not to ride so Kevin and Camden took their turn.

The cars were taken on the conveyer belt all the way up the hill and back into the mountains before you are released and can control the speed you go with hand brakes.  I was a little worried that Camden would be nervous, but she was a speed demon like her dad.

They both loved it and we opted to do a re-ride for only $5 more.  They went to buy their tickets and the lady said the people at the start didn't take their ticket stub, so they could just again.  They went a second time and when they returned we opted to buy the re-ride and I went with Camden on her third ride.  We ended up getting quite the deal!

Definitely an experience to remember!

Vacation 2019: Ark Encounter

We left Saturday morning for Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.  We planned to only drive 1/2 way and stop for the night...not because it was that far, but we wanted to do something in Lexington, KY since we had not before.  After we left the Cincinnati area, we realized we were going to be so close to the Ark Encounter.  We had no interest in paying $50 (each!) to go inside, but I did want to walk around it.  It cost $10 to park, so we decided we would go.

They had the best playground area.  It was a perfect pit stop!  She played almost an hour on all the fun (and free) activities.  When you take a photo on "live", you also get a small video.  The short clips are fun picture/videos.

 

We needed lunch, so we shared a few meals from one of the snack shacks, then shared a rolled ice cream taco for dessert.  It was kind of Cold Stone Creamery but the ice cream is made on the frozen plate as well.  She selected strawberry with brownies.  

Once the ice cream is made/mixed, it is pressed flat on the cold pan until it is the right consistency to roll.

The rolls were put in a waffle cone taco shell then topped with whipped cream and more strawberry syrup and brownies.

It was huge (and messy)!  We were glad to share this unique treat.

Strawberry Festival 2019

Before we headed out for vacation, Camden and I spent a bit of time at the Strawberry Festival. 

We said hello to the Queen and her court.

Camden played some games.

And we finished the night off with a quesadilla and an elephant ear.

Art Camp

Her first week out of school, Camden went to an Art Camp in the mornings.  It was run by the art teacher from Walnut & Ladoga Elementary Schools.  She also shares 6th grade art teaching responsibilities at Southmont, so Camden may have her for class next year.

It was held at a church in Mace.  Most mornings they met at the picnic shelter because the weather was beautiful.  Only one day they had to go inside because of rain.

They created and painted clay masks, painted a landscape scene on canvas (Camden did our house - complete with trampoline in the back yard), painted a piece of pottery (Camden did a plate), and a few smaller projects.  The church provided a lunch each day before the kids left.

It was a nice start to the summer.

Up the Creek

It's breadstick season, baby!

Being a goof!

Golf Camp

Camden got up every morning last week at 7am so she could attend golf camp at the Crawfordsville Country Club.  This is the first year we have been able to do this camp despite being on the team for 3 years.  She says she enjoyed it and was eager to get up and go...it was 2 1/2 hours of golfing, so I think her game should see some improvement.

Heading out to the driving range first thing to warm up.

Bringing Up the Rear

GaGa and Grandpa took care of Camden at her second golf match so I could attend the funeral of my co-workers grand-daughter.  Loved getting this picture of her peeking from the back of the golf cart as she rode to the next hole and snippets of updates as I drove home.

She golfed well - her group took 2-1 flags and the Crawfordsville Country Club team won their first match!