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Gatlinburg |
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 By
mutual agreement, the family assembled at a mountain chalet near
Gatlinburg for a weekend of fun and entertainment. We had had so much
fun being together at Mother's 90th birthday celebration the previous
July that we wanted to keep the cycle going. With Ron and Sylvia in
Florida, Andrew and Carolyn out of state, and Michael and Susan in Virginia, Gatlinburg
seemed centrally located. Rebecca and Michael the Younger were
also in Virginia, and they traveled with Michael and Susan, stopping along
the way at
Biltmore
for a sightseeing tour. Rachel joined Ron and Sylvia, but
Jessica and Clay had a prior vacation commitment, a long planned trip to
New Zealand! Andrea Michelle came with Andrew and Carolyn and son
Jon completed the weekend attendees. Much fun was had throughout the weekend, especially as Rebecca got to
know her cousins better. We cooked out one night, with Ron serving
as chef, and we spent plenty of time playing pool or just lounging on the back porch,
overlooking the valley below. For an early morning 360 degree
panoramic view from the back porch
click here. The hot tub was a hit, and Carolyn,
Sylvia and Jon spent time soaking up the heat. We also made a
breakfast and shopping excursion into Gatlinburg on Saturday morning,
sampling the curio shops and having a great breakfast loaded with every
good thing at one of the local eateries.  But the highlight of the weekend was
The
Great Race. Saturday night, we went back into town, looking
for adventure. We found it at a local go-cart race track. Soon we
were strapped into our cars, on the slower of two tracks, and off we
went. It was all great fun, jockeying for position and cutting
each other off in curves. When time was up, we felt like we had
served our apprenticeship, and we headed for the big, high speed
elevated track.
 Once again, we buckled up and roared off.
Sylvia served as photographic chronicler of the event. By the time
the last lap was complete, we were all in high spirits, and we all drove
back up the mountain swapping stories about how with one more lap each
one could have passed the other!When Sunday came, and with it time to return home, we were all sad to part. But the photos and memories remind us of a great weekend spent together with family. |
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