Returning home

Friday we left Moose Mac and went to Chattanooga to the Tennessee Aquarium.  There are two separate buildings containing a large fresh water and ocean display.  We ate at the Blue Water Grille, delicious tuna burgers, grouper sandwich, and Ellis got us a wonderful free dessert - eight layer chocolate cake, due to an error on his meal.  Across the state line we toured the Chickamauga Battle Field and learned a lot thanks to a CD that detailed the battle. 

Stayed in Bowling Green Kentucky that evening. 
Our plan to visit Mammoth Cave Saturday morning did not pan out as the reservations were all booked.  Guess that just means we will need to go back someday.  For our baseball fanatic we stopped at the Louisville Slugger Museum to enjoy baseball memoribilia and to get ready for the upcoming season.
Took the long way through Indiana and arrived home about 8:30. 
We enjoyed Easter at home and I am wondering if I know how to do school Monday morning.  Is it like riding a bike?  Each day is a new and exciting day. 
Until we travel again - The Masons

Thursday

Another beautiful day.  We traveled slightly north to the Taccoa River / Ocoee River white water area.  This was the site of the 1996 Olympic white water kayaking events.  We biked two different segments until Ellis had had enough and hiked the Bear Paw Loop.  Very peaceful next to the river.  Found a red trillium and a lady slipper, a sign that my mother's surgery must be going well today.

Ate at the La Pizzeria this afternoon and had delicious sliced meatball and basil pizza. The kids were extra semental this evening, our last evening here at Moose Mac.  We love this place, setting, and being on vacation.

Wednesday

  Woke to an amazing view out the huge bank (nearly 30 feet) of windows that face the mountains this morning.  We were above the clouds.  The clouds had settled in the valley during the night.  From my bed I could see the clouds like a huge lake with the mountain tops in the distance as the far shore.  Clouds cleared and returned for a brief ran this afternoon, but it was a beautiful day.

Bill golfed today, I walked in the "neighborhood" and the kids and I had a lazy day at Moose Mac. 
Played pool, cards, were obsessed with baseball, ate cookies, and enjoyed our beautiful mountain retreat.  Vacation is good. 

Tuesday, April 3

Warm and sunny this morning.  Bill treated us with his super yummy blueberry pecan pancakes.  Kids played more pool and Andrew squeezed in another fantasy baseball draft.  Finally headed out to the swinging bridge over the Toccoa River on the Benton MacKaye Trail. We road our bikes three miles out on a rough forest service road to reach the suspension bridge.  The ride was a moderate up and down ride, but nice to bike.  Our visit to the bridge was cut short when it began to thunder.  We headed the three miles back to the car, luckily it only rained.  Rain added to the adventure, but Ellis didn't quite see it that way.

Our next hike was just Ellis' speed - short and sweet to see the Fall Branch Falls.  The rhododendron is not yet in bloom, but the rubbery green leaves are beautiful along the river.  We hiked a bit farther to see the top of the falls.  Andrew is not as excited about getting his picture taken as he once was.  He is a teenager in many ways, but I am thankful that he is still excited about hiking with his family.



Had a wonderful meal at Harvest on Main.  We sat out on the patio and enjoyed a meal of mac and cheese, mac and cheese and chrizo, salmon BLT, and a turkey and crab open sandwich.  I noticed a sign for massages next door, so I got a massage while the guys mined for gems on main street, which Ellis really wanted to do.  It rained on the way home so I didn't walk the last way home today.  We played pool, euchure, and the guys sat in the hot tub this evening.  Saw a little lightning in the distance.

April 2

Beautiful day.  Warm partly sunny.  Slow to get up.  Lots of games of pool this morning.  Finally ventured out to the Aska Trails in Blue Ridge.  We selected the 5.7 miles moderate Flat Creek Loop Trail.  The creek might be flat, but the trail does a bit of up and down and around the mountain.  Wild flowers are beginning to open, including violets, blood root, and the ferns are unrolling.  Andrew and Ellis are getting faster on our hikes and finished considerablely before us.  Ellis' new hydration pack was as great as Ellis' attitude during the hike. 

Headed to town to eat after the hike.  Decided against the nicer restaurant due to our level of  sweat.  Had pizza at Blue Jeans sports bar. Walked down Main Street and did a little shopping before returning home.  The guys dropped me off at the road where we turn to get to Moose Mac so I got and additional walk of 1.3 miles of up and down to finish up my day.  Another beautiful evening.



Spring Break 2012 - Georgia

Left Saturday morning.  It was 33 degrees but our spirits were bright and the children were warm in the cozy nests they created in the car.  Andrew drafted fantasy baseball teams while Ellis took more interest than normal in the landscape.

We made it to Nashville in about 9 hours enjoying the greening and flowers along the way. We ate at a yummy Greek restaurant, Athens, featured on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives http://www.flavortownusa.com/athens-family-restaurant.aspx.  During dinner Ellis announced that that he wanted to visit the Parthenon http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/- .  Luckily, he had watched the Percy Jackson movie to remind him.   The Parthenon replica is located in Centenial Park near Vanderbilt University.  The evening temperature was a very comfortable 75 degrees.  Ellis swam at our hotel pool outside and we all went to bed early.

This morning we ate at The Pancake Pantry http://thepancakepantry.com/, arriving before 7 am to beat the infamous line.  On to the Hermitage to see Andrew Jackson's home/plantation.  Beautiful day, weather, flowers opening on this early spring day.

We arrived at Moose Mac http://moosemac.com/ this afternoon about 4. It is beautiful. The bees are currently very active as the flowers are in bloom. We grilled burgers and ate on the deck overlooking miles of mountains.   Andrew and Ellis entertained one another by laughing hysterically at dinner.  The guys enjoyed time in the hot tub and are now downstairs playing pool.

We are happy to be on vacation and see this part of the country.