Dollywood!

This post is long overdue! Back in August, we had an impromptu visit to Dollywood! We were already going to be in Knoxville for Amelia's birthday party. We were planning to drive up and back the same day, but we changed our plans at the last minute when Tanna thought that would be too much driving in one day (especially after a busy week). So we decided to spend the night. Anyway ... long story short ... we thought about going to Dollywood and called to see if my sister and brother and their families wanted to join us! As it turned out, my sister and her fam were able to get the adults in for free with their season pass guest passes that were good at the time. YAY! (Thanks again, guys!)

I hadn't been to Dollywood in years. I guess the last time I was there was as a reporter when I went for a press conference. Dolly was there, and I asked her a question! (Love Dolly!) I have lots of Dollywood memories. Growing up, our family enjoyed going there--even back when it was Silver Dollar City. When I was older (and the park was in its first years as Dollywood), our whole middle school (Go Lions!) would take an end-of-the-year field trip there. The park was a lot smaller then, of course, and we would ride the same rides (The Flooded Mine and Blazing Fury, to name a few) over and over again.

Our visit this year was a quick one, as we had small children and a drive ahead of us. But it was so fun to go back to Dollywood. The park has grown and expanded so much, which is great to see, but it is also neat to see the original things that are still there. It also was wonderful to make new memories with Kate at a place I enjoyed as a child. Thanks, Dolly!

I took a ton of photos but managed to narrow them down to these:


Kate brushes her teeth that morning at our hotel. She has no idea of the fun she is about to experience. ;o)


Family photo upon entering the park


I *had* to ride the Blazing Fury! Somehow, it wasn't as scary as it used to be. LOL! ("Now, Molly, you be careful ... 'cause I got a weak back!" ... "Weak back or not, Luther, here I come!")


Robin and me in line


Johnny and Anne rode the Blazing Fury, too!


Kate rode the carousel--she had been on a no-carousel kick for a while.


Anna-Claire is hilarious! She is only 2 and already has a fun sense of humor. LOL! This is entering the County Fair section of the park.


Kate rides an elephant ride with Ah-Pah. She enjoyed it!


Next, we rode a bee ride--wheee!


It was soooo hot--here, Riley cools off in a sprinkler.


Next ride ... ducks! Kate did well riding with her older cousins.


Johnny gets in on the fun, too!


Kate takes Uncle Steven for a spin on the car ride.


It was so funny to see the kids driving around. Robin said this was their favorite ride. We rode it twice that day.


Awwwww ...


Time for a drink and photo break. This restaurant has free waters ready and waiting for park guests--so refreshing! The girls wore their matching cherry soda tank tops, so you know we had to get a picture.


This is also one of the photo spots in the park--here's the Skaggs fam!


And here's the Pierce fam!


The older girls love going to this gem shop.


Before we left, we stopped into a sweets shop for a treat.


Kate was asleep before we were off Dollywood property. What a fun day! Thanks again!

P.S. I was so excited to also attend church at Dollywood that day. I had always wanted to go to a service there. I wrote about it here.