NASHVILLE day 3

We lucked out in the weather department.

The day we left Nashville to head three hours east to Pigeon Forge was the day

it rained cats and dogs!

We quickly made a stop back to Loveless to buy some cute Nashville

t-shirts we eyed the day before.

When they got back in the car they were soaked!

Shirts- check!

Hitting the road to Dollywood- CHECK!!!!!!

The only rain we get like this in AZ is for maybe 5 minutes, twice a year.

 I was starting to panic seeing how I am not such a seasoned driver in a 

torrential downpour that was lasting all flipping day!

I literally could only see 20 feet in front of me.

Many silent prayers later, the rain would let up off and on enough so we could get glimpses of 

things like this:

Everybody was saying what a pretty drive it was.

They were right!

When we could see it:)

We were a couple of hours behind schedule so we hit the ground running!

I love me some Disneyland. 

I must say, Dollywood is some steep competition!
Not only do they have a theme park, there is a whole Dolly resort and water park!

It is so unique in the fact that it is in the Smoky Mountains, ya'll.

I couldn't believe I was literally in the smoky mountains!

You hear about them all the time.

But I was there. In Dollywood. Kind of a pinch me moment.

It is a beautiful park!

This little babbling stream was smack dab in the middle of it. 

We whipped out the map and couldn't decide where to start. 

We looked to our left and started with the first ride we saw...some

kiddy car ride, lol!

And then walked to the nearest corn dog station.

Foot longs, I might add.

Yes, please!!

Dollywood has a full-size steam engine train.

After the long spiel about what to do if you get a burning ember in your eyes, I pushed my glasses

on a little more tightly!

Lucky us, just some embers on our pants was all!

I never do water rides.

Ain't nottin' worse than walking around with wet jeans on.

(I feel like I can get away with talking in slang, since we are in the smoky mnts. afterall:))

So I considered them lucky I graced them on the log ride.

They weren't as successful with Abbey.

Proof right here!

I must admit, it was worth it!

On to the legit rides!

I am getting weak in my old age.

My stomach doesn't fair well getting thrown upside and sideways.

I didn't want to miss out.
So I bucked up and boarded the "teenager" rides.

Of course they are super fun.

However, a few rides in  I tossed my corn dogs.

The good news though, was that I felt so much better!

Better enough to pound 2 loaves of the most delicious cinnamon bread

on the planet earth!

I asked detailed questions to the workers on how to make this at home.

No really. 

My sisters were starting to get embarrassed for me.

But I must say, I make some pretty amazing Dollywood bread!

I should work there.

 Closing hours were fast approaching.

W could have easily spent 3 more hours there.

We were trying to decide what to do for our last ride.

We noticed her tour bus but I thought you had to pay to see the inside.

We decided to ask anyway and low and behold, it was free!

It was custom built in 1994 and she retired it in 2004, I think?

With 600,000 miles on it!

We walked in to the Gypsy Wagon and were hit with lots of pink!

It had the smell of rose water, roses are her favorite.

Some of her old wigs.

I laugh at this picture.

That short, busty lady sure knows how to build an amazing

theme park!

We had the time of our lives!

 We checked into a hotel room down the road for the night.

It was late and you could tell we were slap happy.

I'm sure my family was excited to get these pictures of us snuggling in a group text.

We needed to hit the hay for an early wake up call and more driving the next day.

We had visions of big blonde wigs dancing  in our heads that night!

We love you, Dolly!