In Which I Offer Myself for Service

Okay, so poor spelling and, shall we say, creative syntax is sort of a running joke in the area of the country where I recently vacationed (Gatlinburg, Tennessee). Still, there is no good reason to assault the English language (and those who respect it) with such punctuation and spelling as the screen below shows (from the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show in Pigeon Forge):


This is not hillbilly humor. It's a mistake. A couple of them, actually. So I propose a solution. I am available--very affordable, I might add--to all commercial and entertainment venues in that area as a proofreader and grammar-and-spelling enforcer extraordinaire. Call me, please. You owe it to yourself, and the people you serve.


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The Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Show

Each time the lovely Robin and I vacation in the Gatlinburg area, we try to take in one of the many live shows there are to choose from. Previous experiences have ranged from the truly awful (we would've asked for our money back if we didn't pity everyone concerned) to the fun if not fantastic.


Tonight we chose the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show, in its second season, and we were very pleasantly surprised.


The repast was quickly served, and it was well presented and quite tasty. While the portions were not overly generous (by American standards), they were ample and completely satisfying without tempting us to over-indulge.


But the show was the pleasantest of surprises. The music was top notch--not only guitar, banjo, fiddle, and upright bass, all very expertly played--but also spoons, washboard, and more. Young men and women supplied mesmerizing "fancy footing," and some of the harmonies (especially on "Down to the River to Pray") were outstanding. And though I am SO not a fan of yodeling, I even found its occasional insertion into the music delightful.

The large cast earned my admiration and appreciation, and I recommend the show to all visitors to the area.


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A Leisurely Tennessee Evening

After another fine meal at the Westgate Resort's Smokehouse Grill, the lovely Robin and I took a quick drive into Pigeon Forge, where we stopped in at "Lid'l Dolly's" quilt and soft goods store (WHY the "D" in "Lid'l?" Why?).


It was a challenge to overcome my spelling standards, but I did it for the lovely Robin. She oohed and aahed at the many quilt patterns, children's clothes, parasols, etc., but we made it out without suffering a financial setback.


Then it was on to Gatlinburg, where we strolled along, enjoyed the shops, bought taffy, coffee, and Kilwin's ice cream cones (after Ben & Jerry's two nights ago). While eating our ice cream, my writer (and Facebook) friend Judy Gyde and her husband happened by, and we had a fun conversation.

So fun.

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The Playground at Westgate Great Smoky Mountains Resort

After a morning of sippin' coffee and enjoying the view from our balcony, eating pancakes with the whole fam, and watching our kids pack for their trip home, we headed to the playground here on the resort.


It was one last hurrah for the grandkids (well, all but five-month-old Ryder; he abstained).


They climbed and slid and hung on everything that could be climbed or slid on or hung from.


Cousins Calleigh and Mia, who are nine months apart in age, seem more like sisters every day (when one got out of bed this week, she instantly asked for the other).


I'm glad they got a little time on this playground, at least. And they probably worked themselves up and wore themselves out enough that they'll sleep a good deal of the ride home this afternoon. Except for Ryder, maybe. He marches to a different beat.


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Ranger Bob's

My rank is an honorary one, bestowed after years as Junior Ranger Bob (spotted in Gatlinburg, TN).

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Bubba Gump's

This evening, the kids, grandkids, Ron, Mariruth, and the lovely Robin and I joined in one of our newer family traditions: dinner at Bubba Gump's in Gatlinburg.


It's an active and stimulating place to eat and celebrate together. And while the music made table conversation a little more difficult, I couldn't argue at all with the music selection: Stevie Ray, Chicago, the Doobies, etc.


I thoroughly enjoyed my shrimp-and-Veggie kabobs, and everyone seemed to enjoy theirs, too...but none more than Nina, who got the victory over a pot full of crab legs.


An interesting point in the evening was the rain which came through as we ate and, at one point, could be seen clearly coming down on one side of the restaurant while it was sunny and clear on the other side.

As usual, Bubba Gump's was a fun and satisfying part of our family vacation in what two-year-old Calleigh pronounces as "the Smokety Mountains."

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Another Wild Bear Falls Kind of Day

Today was a day made for the Wild Bear Falls, the water park on the grounds of Westgate Smoky Mountains Resort.


The grandkids wore their parents out doing nearly everything in the place.


Ryder slept most of the time, but Calleigh displayed the stamina of a--well, a two year old!


Everyone loved the lazy river, especially Miles, who eschewed floating for walking and swimming.


Mia did it all, with boundless energy and derring-do.


It is hard to imagine squeezing any more fun into a day!

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