Fall Break in Pigeon Forge Oct. 2024
"I hope and pray i am wrong, but I am concerned over this hurricane. I hope it doesn't behave like Camille."
Many persons who were washed away during Hurricane Camille in Nelson County, Virginia were never found.
Unfortunately the gut feeling I had about it turned out to be true. The storm DID behave like Camille dropping massive rainfall amounts in the mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I type this Sat. Nov. 16 , 2024 and as of this date there are 270 people dead from Hurricane Helene collectively from the states of East TN, Western NC, Indiana, SW Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. 540 persons remain missing. Damage estimates are in the double digit billions as of this time. We originally planned Fall break in Panama City Beach, Florida. Hurricane Milton was building in the Gulf of Mexico right after Helene. We changed plans and decided we'd go to Pigeon Forge RV Resort and play it safe. Helene is the second deadliest hurricane on record. Second only to Hurricane Katrina which killed over 1, 000 people.
Below: our camper with towels and swim suits hanging off it!
Anakeesta Photos Here
We went to Pigeon Forge RV Resort which was less than an hour's drive from home!
It was the first time we'd ever stayed there. It was awesome! The kid's were thrilled not to have to face the ten hour drive. It was another two days worth of fun with cousins and friends instead of traveling. We love PCB in Fall because it is uncrowded and we get a "Second Dose of Summer".
We come home sun tanned and having enjoyed the ocean and swimming again for a week in warm water. We still got sun tans and we still got to swim in warm water. The campground has a wonderful heated pool that is like a mini beach. It has a slide, a splash pad area in the shallow part. They have a fire pit. It was great! The first day we arrived we had to set up and get grocery shopping done.
We still managed to find time to swim. They keep the pool open until Nov. 1st each year and it is open until 10 p.m. nightly!
We had the distinct privilege of getting to see our four year old granddaughter Mia learn to swim this trip! She took off her floaties and showed me what she could do. I was blown away. She could not only swim, but can dive down to the bottom and pick up toys. Gabriel, age 8, showed me he has learned to do the back stroke! It was a pleasure seeing our grandkids and adopted cousin Andie Pearl and Olivia play together. Riding bikes. Swimming. Playing tag on the playground. Doing fun things together like when I was a kid.
Each day was warm and sunny in the seventies. Nights dipped down into the fifties. Good sleeping weather. Great swimming weather. We played mini golf. We visited with one another. Morgan and Richard being along was great. Courtney and Shannon and Olivia came by the campground two days.
We had our communal meals fixed together. Wonderful times of fellowship and fun. Gabe had just learned to ride his two wheel bike with no training wheels so he was wearing it out. Mia looked cute trailing behind him on her bike WITH training wheels. I was a bike riding fool when I was a little girl and a water dog who stayed in the river or pool every chance I got.
We took the family to the Goats on the Roof Alpine Coaster. I'd never done this before. It was a new experience for Kenny, me, Gabe and Mia. I held Mia and she rode with me. Gabe was with Kenny. It was hilarious exhilarating fun! Mia was not one bit scared. It was a delight to hear her squeal "go faster! this is FUN!" Gabe felt the same way.
We went shopping at Marshall's and Bealls and some other stores. I got some pretty sheets and house hold items for Fall. We went by the Nike outlet and got Gabe some new tennis shoes.
Everyone slept great. It was a nice break from school, work and the usual week day grind.
We loved the campground and will definitely go back. We also enjoyed the Alpine Coaster and will do that again.
We opted to avoid the crowds at Dollywood and instead went to Anakeesta one day. It was great fun and not crowded. The kids loved it. I'd go back for sure, but I want to visit at night next time.
It was beautifully decorated for Fall.
All in all, it was a successful, fun trip with loads of memories made. We were grateful for the break and for the fact we were spared the storm damage many suffered.
Below is a video of the pool and swimming at the Pigeon Forge RV Resort
And here below is a video showing the highlights of Anakeesta.
Below: Gabe on Treetop Skywalk which was awesome!
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