From Memphis to the Mountains

We said goodbye to Jamie, Ty, and Aunt Kim on Monday morning, July 22, but really our trip was just getting started!  We drove a long way that day, heading across Tennessee, through extremely busy and exciting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and beautiful Smoky mountains (We saw a family of elk grazing by the road!), to stop in Cherokee, NC.  CC and Day Day had a night at the Harrah's Casino there, and CC played with Whitley that evening so Tom and I could gamble a little. Nothing was hitting, though, so we didn't play for long.  (CC and Day Day didn't have any luck either.)  The next morning, Whitley swam in the pool at our hotel (an easy walk across the street from Harrah's) before we met back at the casino for a nice lunch.  After our meal and a quick visit to the arcade, we drove down the road to a kids' fun park in Cherokee.  There Whitley played mini-golf, rode in a go-cart, and fed some fish, until it was time to move on to our next stop- Asheville! 

We checked in our hotel  around 3:00 and then drove a quick five minutes to the Biltmore estate.  We spent a nice evening on the grounds, visiting the farm, tasting their wines, and hanging out in their little village pub.  The next morning we toured the Biltmore mansion, and the weather was perfect.  Not even hot.  Day Day got the audio tour and really enjoyed it!  CC and Tom spent a lot of time trying to keep Whitley engaged throughout the house.  She liked it at first, but started to get bored about halfway through.  We all appreciated the lovely gardens, however.  It was such a picturesque setting; I was determined to get some good photos!  After we left Biltmore, we grabbed some lunch at made the the three hour drive home.  I can't believe our vacation was over so quickly, and summer's end is around the corner.  Boo.  Thanks for another great road-trip, CC and Day Day!  We love traveling with you!      

I thought the Cherokee casino was really pretty.  There was a little river that ran through the property with walking paths along the way.  Whitley loves to throw stones in the water, so she liked spending time here.

This was a cool light display with a large fountain below. 

The Italian restaurant where we had lunch was pretty, too.  

There was a small arcade with a few of Whitley's favorite games.  She and CC could rack up some tickets with basketball!

A little putt-putt...

A spin in the go-cart...

Whitley was livin' large!

A quarter to feed the Koi.  

Petting a goat at the Biltmore farm.

Outside the vegetable garden. 

Trying out an old carriage. 

And a tractor. 

Whitley took her time weaving a little yarn basket.  

Pretty day and pretty flowers. 

Tom was being silly on the walk to the wine-tasting.

Cheers! They offer the kids grape juice.  (It's really yummy!)

Tom and I like a nice wine tasting. 

Whoops.  These pictures are out of order.  Here are Daddy and I at lunch. 

Whitley posing with statues at the hotel in Asheville.  

When we arrived at the Biltmore mansion, Whitley said, "It IS like a castle.  And it EVEN has pretend LIONS!!"  

Loving the veranda!

Family shot!

Cookie break after the house tour. 

Whitley strikes a few poses for me...

Another one...

and another...

A few more...

Just the girls.

This was a pretty spot. 

Family shot in front of the arboretum. 

Posing with the alligator plant!

These last few photos are from CC.  Whitley and I tried out the kid maze.  

I played a little ring toss.  :)