WE ARRIVE AT SOUTHERN CROSS, OUR LUXURY CABIN IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS: June 24, 2012
In early 2011, we discuss the possibility of having a family reunion in Destin, Florida. Everyone agrees that June 2012 might work. Rhonda looks into renting a beach house for one week -- a home big enough to accommodate 27 people. After much research, large Destin properties prove to be cost prohibitive. Rhonda looks into other destinations within a day's drive from Canton, Michigan, Reynoldsburg, Ohio and Coral Springs, Florida -- the homes of her three oldest daughters. Rhonda considers Charleston, South Carolina with its beautiful antebellum plantations and easy access to coastal fun. Kristen mentions Savannah, Georgia with its rich history. While scanning a U.S. map, Rhonda finally notices Great Smoky Mountain National Park, does a casual property search on VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) and finds Southern Cross! The rest is now history. See for yourself by clicking on the link below. The Southern Cross Cabin is to die for!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFfB5m1hGFQ
Everyone works together to create a fun reunion plan for the week. It allows for plenty of organized time together but also independent time for each family. Then the wheels of our plan begin to turn!! Gary W., Rhonda, Ron, Gary M., Erin, Maddie and Leah all fly into Knoxville on Saturday, June 23. The Buhlers pick up Kyle at scout camp outside Orlando on Friday, June 22, then drive to Knoxville on Saturday. All spend Saturday night at the Alcoa Airport Fairfield Inn. The Dyals and Browns leave home early Sunday morning to begin their 8- and 11-hour drives to Gatlinburg. Everyone is on site to check into Southern Cross around 4 pm on Sunday afternoon. We are so excited with this luxury cabin. The location is beautiful; the cabin is beautiful; there are plenty of beds for everyone. So far, so great!
GETTING OUR REUNION FEET WET ON DAY ONE: June 25, 2012
Rhonda decides that a hayride around Cades Cove would be a great orientation into the history of life in the Smokies. We leave the cabin at 9 am on Monday for the two-hour drive to Cades Cove. We board the wagon to find that the speaker or audio portion of our tour is not working -- so we mostly enjoy the scenery. Our guide does not stop at a single cabin, church, mill, cemetery, etc. along the loop road. Rhonda is disappointed, but no one else seems to mind. It is a gorgeous day and the scenery is spectacular!
Following lunch at the Subway in Townsend, we drive to the trailhead of the popular Laurel Falls Trail. This is designated as an easy trail -- paved for strollers. We discover that the trail is quite steep and seems much further than 1.3 miles to the falls! The drop off at the edge of the trail is quite frightening. The stroller in which Maddie and Leah are riding nearly rolls over the EDGE -- so our nerves are also very much on EDGE, as well! Thankfully, everyone makes it safely to Laurel Falls, then back down the trail. The children and babies enjoy wading in the pool at the base of the falls. The teens and preteens hike down below the falls; then climb back up the rocks until they are above the falls. Thank goodness for Joshua, who trails and keeps a watchful eye on our energetic and adventurous youth!
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| Julie at the Cades Cove Riding Stables -- Awaiting Our Hayride! |
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| Kyle, Spencer, Jessica and Seth -- Loving the Hayride! |
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| Alex and Carter -- What a Beautiful Backdrop! |
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| Julie, Maddie, Erin, Leah and Kristen -- Life Couldn't Be Better Today! |
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| Star of the Hayride: Beautiful Allison as the Farmer's Daughter... |
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| ... with Kimberly as Single Mother for the Day! (Tyler stayed at the cabin with sick Baby William.) |
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| Maddie and Leah Stay Cool -- Wading in a Pool at Laurel Falls |
A GREAT DAY AT OBER GATLINBURG: June 26, 2012
A ski resort during the winter, Ober Gatlinburg doubles as an amusement area during the summer. We especially enjoy the alpine and water slides, miniature golf, the maze, and the cute bear cubs and playful otters in the Wildlife Encounter. The small children love the kiddie rides and cute playland. The views from the top of the mountain are amazing. Most of the children have never been on an aerial tram, chairlift or alpine slide -- so this is a truly exciting day!
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| Kimberly and William Aboard Gatlinburg's Aerial Tram |
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| Seth Drives Kristen Down the Alpine Slide |
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| Jacob Creates a Bottle Neck at the Bottom of the Alpine Slide |
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| Logan and Jacob Run to Climb the Water Slide Again |
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| Erin and Leah Dance to the Fiddlers at the Top of the Mountain |
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| All the Kids (including Ron!) at Ober Gatlinburg |
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| Ron and Rhonda -- High on the Mountaintop! |
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| Two Motorcycles Race to the Finish Line |
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| From Right to Left: Ages 4, 5, 6 and 7 -- All in a Row! |
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| All Aboard Ethan's Train ... Woo! Woo! |
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| Our Big Three! (They thought this carousel seat would spin ... Oh, well!) |
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FREE DAY WEDNESDAY: June 27, 2012
Each family subgroup selects what they'd like to do on reunion Wednesday. Many choose to enjoy the cabin and neighborhood pools. The Brown family spends the day in downtown Gatlinburg, touring a candy factory and Ripley's Aquarium. Josh and Grandpa Gary each drive a van of hikers to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and the third highest peak in the Appalachians. After successfully reaching the summit, Josh takes Alex and Logan to hike the popular Alum Cave Trail.
Grandpa Gary drives Rhonda, Ron, Gary M., Spencer, Jessica and Kyle around Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, stopping to hike to Grotto Falls. This trail is far from easy -- very steep and covered with roots and rocks. Ron makes the wise decision to rest in the van while his family literally stumbles their way to the falls. Grotto Falls is the only waterfall in the park where hikers can actually walk behind the falls. We witness a marriage proposal at Grotto Falls! A young man takes his girlfriend behind the falls and proposes. She quickly accepts and the waiting crowd of family and friends erupts in a loud cheer!! Very romantic and sweet ... :-)
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| Rhonda and Gary -- At a Rest Stop Near Clingman's Dome |
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| Justin, Spencer, Alex, Jessica and Kyle -- Celebrating Nature! |
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| On a Clear Day Atop Clingman's Dome Tower |
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| Ron Climbing the Ramp to Clingman's Dome Tower |
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| Kyle, Jessica and Spencer -- Behind Grotto Falls |
A DAY AT DOLLYWOOD: June 28, 2012
This day is the universal favorite among our grandchildren. The teens and preteens, all roller coaster fanatics, find some exciting thrill rides at Dollywood. They especially enjoy the Wild Eagle, Mystery Mine and Thunderhead. Julie, Josh, Kristen, Tyler and Gary M. chaperone this adventurous group.
Our small children and babies head to the kiddie areas of the park. They particularly enjoy Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, River Rampage, Lemon Twist and Skyrider. In the heat of the late afternoon, we discover water playgrounds in the Owens Farm section of the park. Kimberly, Erin, Ron, Rhonda and Gary W. chaperone the smallest, cutest members of our tribe.
In the early afternoon, both groups meet for a chicken and fixin's lunch at Aunt Granny's Buffet. The entire family then attends Dolly's Family Reunion Show together. Some of us even hobnob with Dolly Parton's cousins following the show!
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| Erin Awed by Daredevil Falls |
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| Logan, You're Going to Get Wet! |
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| Told You So! |
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| Leah's First Ferris Wheel Ride |
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| Ron and Ethan Enjoy the Wheel |
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| Three Blonde, Handsome Grandsons -- Ethan, Seth and Logan |
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| Seth Waits Cheerfully for Dolly's Family Reunion Show to Begin |
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| Maddie, Leah and Alex Meet Dolly Parton's Cousins |
BOYS GO FISHING; GIRLS GO ZIPLINING OR TOUR BILTMORE: June 29, 2012
We go many directions on this Friday. The men and boys head out early to fish. They have great success -- catching 17 trout of varying, respectable sizes.
Julie, Kristen and Jessica go ziplining just a few miles from our cabin. The zipline company, Canopy Tours, is owned and operated by an LDS family. Tours are led by some very nice returned missionaries.
Rhonda, Kimberly, Erin, Allison, Madisen, Baby Leah and Baby William drive over the Smokies into North Carolina to tour the Vanderbilt family's Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Biltmore is the largest private home in America, with massive grounds and elegant gardens. To perk the interest of Allison and Madisen, we compare Biltmore's amazing library and dining halls to the castle in Beauty and the Beast! This works very well!!
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| Julie, Jessica and Kristen Go Ziplining |
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| Julie Takes Off through the Forest |
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| Madisen enjoys Beauty and the Beast's Castle (a.k.a. Biltmore) |
MORNING PHOTO SHOOT & AFTERNOON RAFTING: June 30, 2012
After a hot breakfast, we ready for a photo shoot with a local
photographer. Then we are off for afternoon raft trips on the Pigeon
River. Our reunion week is held during a record-setting heat
wave along the east coast . Thank goodness we are able to cool off a little in the cool mountain water!
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| Josh, Julie, Spencer, Jessica, Logan & Alex Dyal |
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| Aaron, Kristen, Kyle, Parker, Justin & Seth Buhler |
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| Tyler, Kimberly, Carter, Jacob, Allison, Ethan & William Brown |
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| Madisen & Leah Empey |
RAFTING IN THE SMOKIES!
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| Float Trip with Tyler, Carter, Jacob, Allison & Ethan Brown |
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| Float Trip with Ron Millett, Kristen & Seth Buhler, Erin & Madisen Empey |
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| Whitewater Trip with Grandpa Gary Williams, Justin Buhler, and Julie, Josh, Alex & Logan Dyal |
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| Whitewater Trip with Uncle Gary Williams, Spencer & Jessica Dyal, Aaron, Kyle & Parker Buhler |
OUR REUNION COMES TO AN END: July 1, 2012
It is extremely sad to say goodbye at the conclusion of this amazing
week. Even the youngest cousins shed some tears. Four generations --
from Great Grandpa Ron to Baby William Brown -- had a wonderful time
together.
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| Grandma & Grandma Williams with all 15 Grandchildren! |
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| Best Buddies -- Great Grandpa Millett with Jacob Brown |
