What a busy and eventful day!
Today was the type of day we hoped there would be plenty of on this tour- we had a great show, but we got to see and do so much in addition to that! Last night, we decided to surprise the kids. One of our favorite places IN THE WORLD is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We take a trip there virtually every year. This summer, with us being on the road non-stop, we had to skip the Gatlinburg visit. Well, last night's show was Johnson City, Tennessee, and today was Cherokee, North Carolina, so we decided to drive on in and spend the night in Sevierville, Tennessee. That would allow us to see Gatlinburg for a bit before the North Carolina show.
We arrived late to the hotel when everybody was asleep, so no one had any clue where we were (the phrase "We're staying somewhere tonight in the middle of 'insert state here'" has become quiet common). This morning, we got up extra early and started the remaining 10 miles to Gatlinburg, It was so much fun to watch the kids' faces as they slowly realized that the area seemed familiar. Clay finally asked "Hey- are we where I think we are?" and they were thrilled!
Today was the type of day we hoped there would be plenty of on this tour- we had a great show, but we got to see and do so much in addition to that! Last night, we decided to surprise the kids. One of our favorite places IN THE WORLD is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We take a trip there virtually every year. This summer, with us being on the road non-stop, we had to skip the Gatlinburg visit. Well, last night's show was Johnson City, Tennessee, and today was Cherokee, North Carolina, so we decided to drive on in and spend the night in Sevierville, Tennessee. That would allow us to see Gatlinburg for a bit before the North Carolina show.
We arrived late to the hotel when everybody was asleep, so no one had any clue where we were (the phrase "We're staying somewhere tonight in the middle of 'insert state here'" has become quiet common). This morning, we got up extra early and started the remaining 10 miles to Gatlinburg, It was so much fun to watch the kids' faces as they slowly realized that the area seemed familiar. Clay finally asked "Hey- are we where I think we are?" and they were thrilled!
Gatlinburg is a town filled with lots of things you don't see every day:
There are also a zillion shops on the main strip. This was a new one:
Only in Gatlinburg is there an entire store of fidget spinners! Guessing it won't be there next year...
Here's a long-time fixture in the town. There's a "Ripley's Believe it or not" museum (and it's really cool, definitely worth seeing), and out front as a crowd draw, there's this thing. It's a giant granite ball that weighs more than 12,000 lbs., yet it's suspended by a tiny flowing layer of water, and can easily be spun in any direction:
Here's a long-time fixture in the town. There's a "Ripley's Believe it or not" museum (and it's really cool, definitely worth seeing), and out front as a crowd draw, there's this thing. It's a giant granite ball that weighs more than 12,000 lbs., yet it's suspended by a tiny flowing layer of water, and can easily be spun in any direction:
We also saw some of the devastation from the recent wildfires:
There were quite a few spots that had burned up completely. Despite that, the area looks like it's bouncing back quite well. Here's an area in the Little Pigeon river, where the kids love "rock hopping" on the huge boulders:
It really was nice to be able to spend part of a day just relaxing in a city that's almost like a second home. We'll certainly be returning to Gatlinburg soon.
It was time to head on to our show in North Carolina. Along the drive through the mountains, we saw a huge Elk!
It was time to head on to our show in North Carolina. Along the drive through the mountains, we saw a huge Elk!
We were also able to see an INCREDIBLE waterfall. It's called Saco falls and it's in Cherokee, North Carolina. You don't have to walk far at all to get from the parking spot to the falls. And, since it's on the Indian reservation, there aren't a whole lot of restrictions- you can go right up to the falls if you'd like!
Today's show was on an outdoor stage on the edge of Cherokee. We shared the stage with "Hoss" and "Wild Horse", two Cherokee dancers. The crowd was VERY receptive. We had a great time! This is yet another of the great things on this tour- having the opportunity to perform in so many different settings. No other job comes with fun things like this!
This was truly one of the busiest days we've had yet, but also one of the most fun. Tomorrow, we go to Easley, South Carolina for a show at the big July 4th city fireworks festival. We'll also be appearing on a Greenville, South Carolina morning show called "Your Carolina with Jack and Megan". Should be an amazing day!
*By the way, sometimes you come up with things to do on the road that you wouldn't think of otherwise. Silas, because of his spot in the Jeep, is often the guy who has to hop out and toss some trash in the trash can. So, Faith and Clay came up with an idea- they secretly saved every plastic bottle for more than an entire week until they had collected a huge pillow case full. Yesterday, when Silas made his usual trash run, they waited until he got back in, and then surprised him from behind by completely burying him in a huge load of plastic bottles.
*By the way, sometimes you come up with things to do on the road that you wouldn't think of otherwise. Silas, because of his spot in the Jeep, is often the guy who has to hop out and toss some trash in the trash can. So, Faith and Clay came up with an idea- they secretly saved every plastic bottle for more than an entire week until they had collected a huge pillow case full. Yesterday, when Silas made his usual trash run, they waited until he got back in, and then surprised him from behind by completely burying him in a huge load of plastic bottles.
This is real entertainment for professionals!
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