I had planned to write my blog today about an article I wanted to read about procrastination personalities...but I haven't read it yet. I'm not sure it matters what kind of procrastinator you are just that you do it. And I'll be the first to admit I fall in that category.
Anyway, while I'm in the middle of revisions (my excuse for not reading the article) I've been tempting myself with a vacation. 'Zilla, the girls and I are heading for the Smokey Mountains next weekend when the girls get 2 days off of school for Columbus day. Surprisingly enough, I really haven't done a lot of research into what we're doing and where we're going. I usually spend months, weeks planning out every activity, every day, every hour but not this time. I haven't pre-ordered tickets. I haven't made reservations.
All I know is we're taking the girls to a dinner show, Sweet Pea and I are going horseback riding together and we're going to spend some time in the national forest. Aside from that we're going to enjoy the fall weather, the fireplace and hot tub in our cabin and the fact that none of us have to get up at 6 AM.
So, are you a vacation planner or a wanderer? And if you have any tips on things we should do or see while in the Smokey Mountains let me know. I'm open to suggestions.
Instigator
P.S. ArkieRN is Debby's winner from yesterday. Please contact Playground Monitor with your name and snail mail address and she'll arrange for your prize.
17 comments:
If you're in the area and have the chance to go, check out the Comedy Barn. It is a hilarious show and clean - an unusual combination.
Enjoy!!
I love Cade's Cove. :-)
If you're going to be near Cherokee, NC, the girls would probably enjoy seeing the Indians. The Oconoluftee Indian Village is quite interesting.
And I ditto Rhonda's suggestion of Cade's Cove.
PM
Oh, and I'm a combination planner and wanderer. I like to plan just enough to feel like I'm not frittering my vacation away, and also to know I have lodging every night. But I don't want things to be too planned because then it's too much like work instead of vacation.
I plan most of the vacation and wander the rest. The planning would be where to stay and finding great places to eat.
I'm with Rhonda on Cade's Cove.
We're also heading to the Smokies early next week (we'll be heading home the day before Instigator and her family arrive). :)
Like you, I haven't planned a huge amount for this trip, which is unusual for me. I'm usually a planner down to the last detail, so I can make sure we get in everything we want to. But this year there just hasn't been time. I preordered tickets for a dinner show and the aquarium. Other than that, who knows? We have a family wedding this weekend, so we're scrambling with that until Saturday and leave on Sunday morning. Talk about hectic!
But I'm getting excited! This will be our first family vacation with the youngest. I can't wait to just get away...
Angel
Never been to the Smokies...but if you want to know about Disney World...
Well, we're headed to Disney. (And I'm not packed--so panic is setting in.) I've made some dinner reservations and a couple of character meals, but otherwise, nada. I figure Disney has so much to see and do, that no matter where we wander to, we'll have a good time.
I'm a super planner. Makes DB crazy. In fact, if I want to have some free, spontaneous time, I schedule it. "Thursday afternoon is open for spontenaeity." :)
If I don't have a schedule, I wander lost and can't make decisions. I'll lose hours sort of wandering through a theme park, not sure what I want to do or where I want to go. If its a long trip, that's ok, but if I'm trying to do as much as I can in a day or two, that kills valuable time.
It's like dinner - if I thaw chicken, I know we're having chicken. If I'm unprepared, he and I go round and round "what do you want?" "I don't know, what do you want?" Just frickin pick something!
Warning...this is shameless advertisement for the non-profit I work for and other attractions in the area.
Twenty minutes north of Knoxville, on I-75N, exit 122 to Norris, is the Appalachian Arts Craft Center. We sell handmade items made by juried, local artists. Visit www.AppalachianArts.net.
Across the street is the Museum of Appalachia where you can see pieces of TN history from the time it was settled until the present. They have authentic log cabins and buildings and a variety of animals including a Highland Cow.
Also within a 10 to 15 minute drive is Norris Dam, Alex Haley Farm and the Green McAdoo Cultural Center. At Norris Dam, the park rangers are offering "Fall Color Tour" which is a boat ride up the lake with information on the creation of the dam - a WPA program.
The weekend of Oct. 10, 11, and 12 the whole area is full of fall festivals.
:-) I'm Joyce and I approve this ad. :-)
P.S. In Pigeon Forge, I understand the Dixie Stampede is a favorite for kids.
Ooooh! I love mountain crafts. Thanks to the link to the website. I'm overdue for a trip to the Smokies. The DH and both sons went camping and white water rafting on the Ocoee last weekend. I don't do camping and white water rafting, but I could handle a log cabin with fireplace and hot tub. :-) #2 son is in grad school in the Smokies, so... I have a great excuse to travel there.
After a life time of living in foreign places and taking off whenever the mood struck to see the closest castle or that temple I'd heard about, I don't plan well. I'm learning to do some planning, but mostly when we go somewhere, it's just the getting there part that is planned, along with a vague idea of what we *might* do.
The most planning I did was booking a cruise for 6 people. Once we got on that ship, however, I planned nothing beyond eating, reading, and lying on the deck.
But I seriously enjoyed someone else's planning (ahem, SP) in San Francisco. :)
Have fun everyone!
Since they shortened fall break, we can't go anywhere, though we're fitting a College Road Trip before cheerleading practice and a football game. I feel sorry for the football players. They don't get a break at all. When your kids get older, sometimes the activities they're involved in rule your world. ;)
Ditto Lynn's salute to SP's San Fran planning. We appreciate you, SP!! :-)
I'm a little of both but hubby and I have been known to just get in the car and go. We kinda decide which direction after we get in the car. I know... you planners just fell in the floor in a dead faint. :D
It's been years since I've been to the Smokies but I do remember enjoying the Indian village and Cade's Cove.
Glad you appreciate my neurosis. I've been on vacations with people who... well, don't. :)
Planner and it comes in real handy with my job.
robertsonreads
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