Vacation 2008

Belle with the winning 17.5 inch catfish

Ally at Wiffle Ball Stadium

Our cabin, On Golden Pond

Jamie and Dudley in the Pigeon River

Mom and Belle on the Skyscraper

Vacation 2008 is in the books. Thanks to all who participated. It was a great time together in the Great Smokey Mountains. The cast was made up of Mom, Ally, BJ, Belle, Regi, Jason, Dudley, Mary W., Holley R., Jamie H and me.

The cabin that we stayed in was named "On Golden Pond" and was within easy walking distance to the fishing ponds, putt-putt and the pool, all of which were used often.

Jason, BJ and I rode ATV's on trails that I would classify as treacherous. There were plenty of places where I was on two wheels, and places that I had to inch over huge boulders. There were dropoffs and great views all over the place. Mom and Regi rode horses at the same location.

Mom and Belle rode the Skyscraper. They were strapped into a tandem seat on a ride that has an arm attached to a tower. I'm guessing the tower is 70 feet tall. The arm then extends another 50 feet and it rotates around the tower, flinging the riders into the air in a circular motion coming down to earth at a dizzying speed and then rushing back into the air to a height of perhaps 120 feet or more and then continuing on that course for a while before reversing its course and doing it backwards. Great fun! I have Mom on video mouthing the words, "Never again", as she exited. Later, she said she might try it again sometime. Not me. I dove head first off the Bungee platform, but you would not catch me on the Skyscraper!

Several of us went to a little country Methodist church for Sunday worship. That was a nice experience.

We ate like horses the whole week. Some of the highlights were: BBQ ribs for Sunday lunch, Hamburgers with Swiss Cheese and Bacon by Belle and Mary for Monday evening, Grilled marinated Ribeyes by Chefs BJ and Dad on Tuesday, Omelets to order by BJ on Wednesday morning (mine was a Deluxe - 4 eggs with ribeye steak, bacon, ham, peppers, tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms), Dixie Stampede Thursday evening, Pancake Pantry for Friday breakfast and a fabulous Fish Fry on Friday evening hosted by Jamie.

Each day devotions were led by a different person. Those times were very special. Thanks to each of you for your participation.

The Lavy Putt Putt Tournament held at Professor Hacker's in Pigeon Forge was won by Ally Lavy. She won by 2 strokes over BJ and Jason and by 5 strokes over me. She won a total of 10 dollars in prize money. After several rounds of golf on the resort course, Saturday morning was the prestigious Lavy Open. BJ won with a 48 over Jamie and myself, who tied with 50's. Belle won the fishing tournament with a 17.5 inch catfish. Mary W. won the official "word of the vacation" contest, effectively using the word "fling" and its variations enough to impress the committee (made up of volunteers Ally and me).

It was a week full of fun and relaxation. There was swimming in the pool, a pool table, Putt Putt on the resort and two great Wiffle Ball games at the Wiffle Ball Stadium, which was created in a picturesque valley just across a little bridge from one of the fishing ponds.

Dudley went along for his first-ever vacation. He had a great time wearing himself out on the mountains so that he could barely crawl into bed at night. He finished up by swimming in the river at the Apple Barn with Jamie.

Hopefully, we can do Vacation 2009 next June.