Smoky Mtn. Weekend to end April

This group of sisters called Ashelin from Newfoundland made nice music at the Dollywood Festival of Nations on Friday, April 27.  Their outfits were sure unique.  How do you like the UP-down hem of the girl 2nd from left?

Ireland's Spirit of the Dance was excellent!

My chauffeur got away from me when getting into these classics

I love these swings and rode them twice, once while Randy recovered from his one turn to humor me.

The Zambian Vocal Group was one of our favorites at the Festival.

Look what camped two sites down from us!  How cute.

We hiked the Gatlinburg Trail Sabbath morning.  The rhododendron at the Park Headqtrs were gorgeous!

We had our Sabbath picnic lunch at the Chimneys Picnic area - not even crumbs left when we remembered to take a photo op.  The 4 miles we hiked gave us good appetites for our traditional hot dogs and beans. 

It's been many moons since I've read a whole book in one sitting - Kay Rizzo's UP AGAINST THE WALL.
I'd highly recommend it. 

This over mature forest had some BIG trees to hide behind.  The Cove Hardwood self-guiding Nature Trail, a 3/4 mi. loop, was to have a wide variety of wild flowers, but mostly had elevation change!  It was a great workout.

No camping weekend is complete with out some Saturday night games - Settlers this time, and look who got whipped!

 Breetzke's joined up with us Sunday at Dollywood and found this piece of pie too much to resist at the bakery
for their lunch.  It did smell good!  We made them eat it ALL themselves ;)

This is the Ecuador group called Atahualpa that we enjoyed so much that we bought one of their CD's!

Chattanooga Walk-about

Teachers were invited to view the new Imax "Arctic Adventure" this weekend for free, so after attending our "Parish" potluck at church, we drove downtown.  After the 45-minute movie about the mama and her two cub polar bears, we enjoyed a walk along the TN River.  

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This unique waterfalls over the steps we had never seen before.
It's well hidden from the Walnut Street Bridge view where we usually walk.

Doesn't this look like good exercise - but not my style!

There were several wedding parties in the area having pictures taken in many scenic photo op locations.

Here's the best looking groom (from almost 37 years back) anywhere!

This was the only easily recognizable bride we saw from the several wedding parties.  Either they were elsewhere, or they were not wearing white.  One group had the bridesmaids each in a different bright color dress, and the groomsmen's vests under their tuxedos were all a different bright color.

Ryan's 10-year Reunion Weekend

 Ryan's 10-year reunion at CA was last Sabbath.  Another 4 or 5 from his class were at church but didn't stay around for the potluck & picture - including their class president. . . The one of the crowd most changed is at the left of the front row - Cameron Kuhlman.  At the right end of the front row is Loria Mercer. Jodi Herod is engaged - most of the rest are married and/or parents or soon-to-be.

Sabbath afternoon at home with Claire

She's already a helper in the kitchen.

nap time on our couch on Sunday

This busy book I made for Ryan when he was Claire's age.  She loved this page and pulling off the pieces that are attached with velcro and throwing them on the floor - she's not into matching the colors for awhile yet!

Packed up and ready to leave us Sunday afternoon

Easter Weekend with Claire