Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Smoky mountains - Williamsburg - Washington DC - New York) Day 3

[janey2000]

Day 3 - Sunday 2nd April 2017

I didn't sleep as soundly as I would have liked considering how tired I was, but the bed here was the comfiest I have ever slept in!

Up at 0630 to a beautiful sunrise!

After a cabin breakfast of Reece's cereal and Starbucks coffee we all got ready to head into the park.

It was a warm day as we headed to Laurel Falls just past the Sugarland's visitor centre. We did a good job arriving for 10 as when we returned about 12 cars were parked everywhere as all the spaces were filled. The climb was fairly easy for us and the kids managed well. Georgia needed the toilet when we got close to the top (There were no facilities and not even a bush to go behind!) so she is fairly grumpy in the photos!

The kids loved climbing over some of the rocks at the top, I didn't feel too confident about it but that must just be a Mum thing as Jack was encouraging them to continue!

It was a lot busier as we started to walk down so definitely get here early if visiting on a weekend or at a busy time. It was a great first hike and very family friendly. I love waterfalls!
We stopped at the National park sign on the way out for a photo of us all by it.

Georgia was very hungry by now (we quickly learnt she needs more than just cereal for breakfast!) so we decided to head to Gatlinburg for lunch. We had noticed the parking prices as we drove through that morning, they ranged from $15 in the middle to $5 at the end of the strip. Just before the $5 car park as we entered Gatlinburg there was parking by the side of the road. We decided we could easily save the $5 per car each trip and parked here. We walked up and came across Texas roadhouse so went there. Our friends are pescatarians so there wasn't a great choice for them but they found salads and salmon. I went Vegan for January (Veganuary) and despite trying a bit of chicken and a couple of eggs in Feb and March, had pretty much stuck to the plant based diet and dairy free. I knew it would be so much harder here as looking at menus online before we went there was a clear lack of anything vegetable! I ordered a rotisserie style chicken and quickly realised it was too soon to be eating meat off the bone Georgia would be vegetarian if it wasn't for the odd bacon roll and chicken nuggets, she chose mac and cheese. We love the peanuts they give you here in the buckets and went through a whole one between us all. the fresh bread rolls were great too with the cinnamon butter I think our bill came to $35 ish with tax and tip.

We had a little wander through Gatlinburg and Amy kindly offered to get the kids an airbrush t shirt as these reminded her of when she visited the area in her childhood. They were $20 each and the kids picked a best friends design with their names on. Unfortunately we had to come back for them so they didn't get to see them being made. You will see the t shirt in later photos (she didn't take it of for 2 days after Maisie left us!).
Next up was Dollywood. We had already decided to do the 'arrive after 3pm and get the next day free' ticket offer. We arrived at 3.15 and paid our $12 parking each. Jason got into the ticket queue and was still there an hour later! He made a brief complaint and was offered 30% off all 7 tickets! Unfortunately the park was very busy as it was such a hot day and a weekend so we didn't get much in before close at 7pm.

We stopped at Publix on the way home to get some bread, peanut butter and pre-cut melon for a quick tea finished off by some of the ice cream the boys bought yesterday. We were in bed by 10.

[MichelleS]

Dollywood looks fun and the walks in the smoky mountains look amazing.

[WileyCoyote]

An hour just to get tickets .. Goodness. Sounds busy.
Looks lovely again today though despite the waiting !

[k4ti3-x]

Good offer for Dollywood - shame it was so busy before you even got in.
I can imagine the US being a hard place for a vegan unless your in NYC or LA. Good hike to get you started!

[DisneyNikki]

An hour for tickets? They ae missing a trick.

[disney owl]

Dollywood looked very busy!