The Vacation (Part 1)

    I love planning vacations.  I love thinking about vacation, I love saving for vacation, I even love packing for vacation.  It's about the only time where you can let your hair down, relax the rules, spend money foolishly, and just enjoy being together with the ones you love. 
    Brandonn and I have been planning this vacation for about seven months.  We decided to return to our beloved honeymoon spot; Gatlinburg, TN.  We knew we wanted to stay in a cabin if at all possible and so started the search.  One day, Brandonn casually mentioned to a co-worker what we were planning, and upon hearing the details he immediately offered to call his neice about a cabin she kept for family to use.  He admitted that he didn't usually do this for people outside of his family, but that he really trusted Brandonn and thought he could help us out.  We checked many web sites that promised beautiful cabins, and found them to be quite expensive.  Brandonn checked in with his buddy after a few weeks and had found out that we would be able to use the cabin at half price since we were friends.  We were told it was a luxurious slice of heaven tucked away in the heart of Gatlinburg.  We drooled as we heard words just as; wrap-around-porch, secluded, four bedrooms, jacuzzi, fireplace, and media center, just to name a few.  We perused pictures of the place, and became more and more excited as the departure date drew nearer. 
    Next thing on the list was to pick out fun places to see, and neat places to eat.  We created "The Driver Family Itinerary" on our home computer, and started looking up weather conditions.  At last the day came to pack the car and head out.  Brandonn went to work as usual while I tucked away last minute odds and ends, and loaded up the van with almost all of our belongings; everything but the kitchen sink.
    By six o'clock we were on the road, singing to the radio, anticipating a full week of exciting new adventures.  I dreamt about the amazing pictures of the mountains I would take and add to my photography page.  At 7pm, we stopped for dinner, changed diapers, and hooked up the portable DVD players for the kids.  We drove until about eleven-thirty, and decided to stop somewhere for a good night's sleep.  The first hotel we stopped at was a Red Roof Inn.  There were three ladies at the counter and none of them could figure out whether they had any rooms available.  Thankfully, my husband has lots of hotel experience and was able to walk around the counter and show them how to use their computer system.  After the lesson, he explained to them that they were not only sold out, but they had oversold.  Needless to say, we were not the only unhappy campers they were going to be dealing with that night.  Our next stop was to an old, run-down Days Inn run by the cutest little old lady, and apparently was filled with college athletes, and 80's decorations.  We kept driving.  When we came upon a Hampton Inn we couldn't pass it up; we were anything but disappointed.  This was the most beautiful hotel I have ever had the pleasure of sleeping in.  There was an enormous common area/breakfast area accompanied by a mammoth fireplace.  Our room sparkled with marble counter-tops, fresh linens, hardwood floors, and a state-of-the-art flat screen tv. 
    Day 2---This day started off wonderfully with a big breakfast that had a little something for everyone, even the coffee was fresh.  We checked out of Hampton wonderland and continued on our journey to the smokies.  At about 1:30 in the afternoon, we found a quaint little quilt shop, where I found a woman who was more than happy to share her love of quilting and point me in the direction of beginners projects.  I decided to keep looking for a place a little more budget friendly, and got back in the van.  An hour later we were at the top of a mountain just above the hubbub of Gatlinburg, looking at our cabin that we had longed for, saved for, and planned for.  It was big.  It was red.  It was a dump.  The wrap-around porch had been torn off, but they hadn't started construction on the new one yet.  There was no jacuzzi to be found.  The first floor had bugs (both dead and alive) in the sink, in the tub and on the floor.  The floor had leaves and dirt all over it, as did the furniture.  Curiously, there was also a pile of acorns on the bed, just underneath a decorative pillow.  The second floor had ashes and soot from the fireplace all over the floor, every peice of furniture, and every table top.  The doors to it were wide open, and the thought crossed my mind that we might be intruding upon a family of squirrels.  If that wasn't enough to make one think twice, there were rat droppings in the kitchen sink, lining the floor around the sliding glass door, and in the corner of a bedroom that was next to the bed.  We discussed our options and decided to go buy cleaning supplies and just make the best of it.  Our day ended with a trip to wal-mart, and then on to a pizza where we enjoyed the pleasure of being served with a smile, snail-like speed, and influenza.  I concluded my evening with a beer; should have made it two.
    Day 3, brought sunny hopefulness, as we went to our cabin to start cleaning so we could start enjoying it.  Evidently we stayed too long, because not even an hour into it, my oldest son (3 years old) managed to trip and fall of the couch that he had been jumping on, and busted his chin open.  As Lilly napped, and Gavin watched a movie, Brandonn took our son to the Pigeon Forge Emergency Room.  He brought our son home with two butterflys, a little skin glue, and a big bruise.  With this catastrophe over, we started to get to work cleaning.  Fifteen minutes later we stood facing each in the middle of the living, and I could tell by the look on Brandonn's face that we were thinking the same thing.  We packed up our belongings and got out of there so quick it took a few minutes for the dust to settle.  At this point it was about 5:30 and we knew the local cabin rental offices would be closing soon.  So, we drove to the closest one we could find, but left as soon as we found out that it would cost three times as much as any place else.  The second place we went to was the hotel we had stayed at the night before.  Brandonn went in and inquired whether or not they had any suites available, and when the receptionist replied affirmatively, he took Brayden (our 3 year old son) with him to check it out.  They stepped onto the elevator and prepared to be lifted to the 8th floor.  Suddenly, at the 7th floor the lights went out of the elevator and all upward motion ceased.  They remained suspended seven floors above the ground for what seemed like a day, but in reality it was only 30 minutes.  They pushed the alarm button and used the phone inside the elevator, and while they waited for help, Brandonn's mind started racing.  All he could think about was how quickly that amount weight would plummet to the earth, and how high up he would need to hold Brayden so that he would land on himself and so be saved.  Eventually, help came and all was well.  They headed back to the front desk and explained what had just happened, and just as she was entering in a discount for his pain and suffering all the lights in the hotel and the street it was on went out.  I, myself, was standing outside to witness that particular event.  The entire street went dark for 2 seconds or so, and I could only wonder what else lie in store for us on the cursed vacation.
    We finally found a small, family owned business that was happy to rent to us after hearing our plight, and even gave it to us for half the price it normally would have been. 
    Day 4---So, the next day we packed up our things yet again and went to check out our cabin.  It was a quaint little cabin at the top of a hill-at the top of a mountain.  It was cute, and it was clean, and that was enough for me.  That night was about as eventful as the rest of the weekend had been, with Brandonn and I getting up and down several times that night after being awoken by a child screaming such a terrible cry it startled us.  This is what happens to our 2 year old when we travel, he gets scared sleeping in a new environment, and sleeps fitfully.
    Day 5----This was a new day, and carried that attitude with us as we went throughout our day.  We visited a petting zoo, and watched with delight as our oldest finally put his fears aside and touched a few of the animals.  It was wonderful to watch him grow right before our eyes, never before would he have even flirted with the idea of going anywhere near a strange animal...especially ones that were so much bigger than he.  We ended our day by taking a drive through Cades Cove; an 11 mile loop.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  I had so much fun taking pictures; I could do it all day!  With so much beautiful scenery it's easy for an aspiring photographer to get some amazing pictures.  All in all, it was a good day.  It gave us hope that our bad luck might have run out.