Massanutten, Virginia to Gatlinburg, Tennessee 3/7/2014

MARCH 7, 2014 (Friday)

Snowing again when we got up. Grey, overcast and cold. We left around 9:30 AM and stopped at the Harrisonburg Cracker Barrel. We had breakfast and got a book on tape (Nora Roberts romance type).

Edie's egg beaters, turkey bacon, parfait with granola, and a coffee. — Edie’s egg beaters, turkey bacon, parfait with granola, and a coffee.

My no protein get rid of the gout pancakes.

Edie wanted to buy this so bad, the Prius is stuffed!

Then we were on the road again. The distance was approximately 350 miles and took about 6-1/2 hours. Most of the drive was in yuck, but once we got about 100 miles from Gatlinburg – the skies turned blue and it got warmer. Nice.

We stopped once for gas and a quick lunch at Subway attached to the Exxon (gas was $3.22 gallon).

Not sure what 6" Lex had. — Not sure what 6″ Lex had.

Edie had a new offering, I have forgotten the name, very pizza like though.

The traffic was horrible once we got into the Sevierville area. It took almost an hour to go about 15 miles. Fun to see all the amusement things here – a lot like Branson. Loving the sunshine and warmth here.

Got up to 64 degrees at one point. So nice.

Edie trying to document elder abuse. I foolishly threw an empty water bottle at Lex. She then used it to assault her mother and father's heads. — Edie trying to document elder abuse. I foolishly threw an empty water bottle at Lex. She then used it to assault her mother and father’s heads.

We got into our new “home” at around 4:30 PM. Very nice people at the check-in. After check-in, we were told we “had” to go see the people next door (timeshare presentation). I told Michael it was all up to him – and he said yes. They promised us that it would be only an hour. We’ll see and let you know.

Killer cookies at check-in, three different kinds.

Our new home is quite lovely. It’s been updated and has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It has a spiral staircase to a loft bedroom and bathroom. No washer and dryer but the unit has a fireplace and is comfortable, clean, and nice. Going to be a good week, I can just feel it.

Granite counters and nice facet. — Granite counters and nice faucet.

Spiral stairs leading to the loft bedroom and bath.

Lex's bedroom. She opted not to do dueling TV's from the loft. There are four flat screens here. — Lex’s bedroom. She opted not to do dueling TV’s from the loft. There are four flat screens here.

It is an electric heater that projects a log, flame image that is very pleasant, psychologically. — It is an electric heater that projects a log flame image that is very pleasant, psychologically.

View from the loft. Pretty woman and daughter in living room.

Outside elevator. — Outside elevator with glass wall, kind of fun.

Michael’s gout is acting up (again – he had hot dogs and I told him not to), so Lexi and I walked down to the main area of Gatlinburg. It’s about five blocks, but a nice walk. We ended up eating at Blaine’s. Quite good. Lexi got a cheeseburger; I got a salad and baked potato; and we split a strawberry shortcake dessert. Everything was really good and not that expensive. We brought Michael a potato and chicken salad back to our home for his dinner.

Edie's potato and salad. — Edie’s potato and salad.

Lex's cheeseburger. — Lex’s cheeseburger.

Strawberry shortcake. — Strawberry shortcake split between the pretty ones.

We waddled back home at a leisurely pace, stopping at a couple of stores. That was our day. Hope yours was great!