Tomorrow is Friday already?

We must be having fun, because time is flying!

Today was another early day.  I think Kiki would rather have slept in.  I do try to get so much in on these trips.  Sleep is for when you get home.

Horseback riding.  This is where the tables were turned.  I was apprehensive and Kiki was ready to go.

Let me just explain that this is trail riding.  You don't get a lot of interaction with these horses.  They know the trail, take the trail every day and that's all they know.

The trail was very beautiful.  Right along Fontana Lake.  I mean right along but 100 to 300 ft below the trail.  That was probably the hardest part to get used to.  Do we have to walk so damn close to the edge,  I now that's where the dry trail is but its a long way down.

Not to worry.  My horse was 27 years old and her name was Pearl.  She did not like to get muddy or go up (or down) hills much at all.  She did take a lot of coaxing to move along.  The guide said she was like riding in a wheelbarrow with a flat tire.  Incredibly, it was a perfect description.

Mackenzie had Dennis, a spry 29 year old horse who was like a car on cruise control.  I felt bad because she did not have to do one thing with the horse. It didn't eat or stop or veer off the trail.  She was at times not even holding on to anything but tapping her hands on her thighs.

It was a nice 2 hour ride and I thank god I did not opt for the 4 hour ride.  My knees just do not take to being in a saddle that long.  

Stopped again at a McDonald's - because you know the quality of the bathrooms.  Like the food,  its not high quality,  but it is very consistent.  Wash up, change say goodbye to the Smokey's and get back on the road.  The family we rafted with was at the same McDonald's.  Like old friends.  Talked, Kiki got a hug from the girl she sat next to on the raft (Amanda).  Wished them safe travels and we were off (not until I pulled over 100 ft later to shut the WIDE OPEN hatch I forgot to close).

515 Miles and over seven hours later we made it to our next hotel.  Elizabeth City.  The gateway to the Outer Banks.  Ok,  I made that up.  Its the closest hotel without being on the Banks without breaking the bank.  

Kiki finally got some sleep and we had a burger at CookOut  (some huge NC chain) with some shakes.  

Honestly the hamburgers I exactly like I make them, the fries were really good and the 40+ flavors of milkshake were the real reason to get here.  (Banana Nut for me).

Time to get some sleep myself.....zzzzzzzzzz

Wednesday - Batman and Robin

7:00 AM comes fast when you don't get to bed until almost 3:00 AM.

Today is some adventure, more than I even planned to do.

The canopy tour, (i.e. Ziplines), was at 9:00.

Does she look tired?

Both of us were a little unsure of what to expect with this. In the end our fears were unwarranted. Our guides were great, the weather spectacular, the ride fun and views pretty.

When that was over we had a quick bite to eat and then a change of shoes and into the water portion of the day.  Rafting down the Nantahala river.  Unlike the zips, the rafting did not scare me, Kiki however was a little worried again.  We got pared up with another family and set off for about 8 1/2 miles of the river.  Class I, II and III rapids.

It was a blast!  

Before I go on I suggest you click on the slide show in the right hand side here.  ALL the good trip photos are there, not just these few.  

You would think that by 4:00 the day would be over right?  WRONG!  My name is not Julie McCoy and this ain't no cruise!  Seriously, I just used a Love Boat reference.  I am awesome.

We have dinner at the BBQ Wagon.  Not a wagon at all.  Great brisket, really good chicken, ok fries and the slaw and hush puppies should have just stayed behind the counter.  Slaw is so personal and recipes for coleslaw are like opinions.  Everyone's got one and think they have the best.  

ANYWAY...We went back to the hotel to grab some stuff and head back to into the Smokey Mountains National Forest.  Since we did not see it on our drive in (it was after midnight).  

Saw some Elk (see the slide show).  Chatted up the ranger for the best overlooks and photo places.  "Clingmans Dome and Tower" she said.  We went for it. almost 45 minutes later we got to the part where you could not drive anymore.  We got out, I looked around and bam Deja Vu....No, I have been here before. Tracy and I (and Joel) came here on a vacation long ago.  (1996?).  

Kiki and I hiked to the top of the trail, then to the top of the observation deck. Some 6500 ft above sea level. The higest point in the park, the dividing line of Tennessee and North Carolina.  It was overcast and just a hint of sunset. 

(this seems to be the only pose we know)

It was a long a steep hike for sure and well worth it.  We finally got back to the hotel and went to bed.  Tomorrow comes fast around here.  

Tuesday - Warped Tour!

After a night in Nashville - Tuesday we woke up,  not too early.

Some earlier than others.

Went to the Waffle House for breakfast than hit the state fair grounds to see the Van's Warped Tour. First there were lines, I mean stupid long lines.  So we skipped them.  Yea, we just walked up the line and went right in. No grief no nothin'.  Not sure why there was such a stupid long line but hey, we were in Tennessee  ;)

The thing about the warped tour is they don't announce the line up until you get there.  It's an absolute crapshoot as to when your favorite bands will be playing.  Unfortunately one of the bands we came to see was playing at 7:15 PM - Did I mention the bands started at 11:00 AM.

Not to be deterred we listened to a lot of music. 8 hours or so.

I even got Kiki in the pit, Well almost.  We got as close as you could without being in it and I only had to protect her (from getting run into) from one angle.  She was freaked out at first but got into it (so much so we did it again for another band) and she was up on the types of things that crowds do at these shows.  Fun stuff , really.

The day went on and when it was all done we did not leave the fair grounds until after 8.  A quick stop at McDonalds for some food, wash up (the mosh pits were dusty!) change into some road clothes and off we went.  5 hours and a time zone change later we got to the hotel.  Long day, but no rest for the weary....

So much to tell and so little time

Seriously we are having a blast!.  Last night the warped tour went until almost 8:00 PM  by the time we grabbed a bite to eat and hot the road it was 8:30.  That means we did not get to the next stop until after 1:30 AM!

By the time we got unpacked and showered and in bed it was almost 3 AM.  Tough to sleep with a 5 hr energy that you took around 10:30.

It was a 4 hour sleep and up and at 'em by 7.  Out the door and on the zip lines at 9:00 AM.

Tonight was supposed to be a early night but we added some hiking to the top of the highest peak in TN/NC (on the actual border) and its after 11 here.

I have so many pictures and stories to tell I don't have the time right now to go through them all.  Seriously I have sooo many photos, I need to really edit them down as you could look at them for days.

Tomorrow is a bit of the same.  Up early pack the car, ride some horses.  Drive to the next stop.  Maybe we will have some time tomorrow to get those photos up there.  I promise I will try.

Cheers!

Nashville Cont.

Here it is - Nashville Part II.

Being the old man who only sleep to 5:30 for the most part I am up and relaxing a bit before todays activities.  Let me say I have to restate that this hotel room has to be 1000 sq foot at least.  I mean it is at least as big as my house's first floor, if you removed all the walls.  Seriously it is 15 paces from the fridge to the desk I am sitting at.  Nice,  but some what silly.

Yesterday afternoon,  after we unwound and unpacked a bit, we put some nice clothes on and took the taxi/shuttle to downtown.  Downtown Nashville is kind of like the downtown Dells in a way.  There are more boot stores than there really needs to be.  I mean every third store front is a boot store.  The other places are music bars or restaurants. You really have to like your country music down here.

Mackenzie and I walked the main streets - checking the sights, the river, the buildings, the over saturated country music theme.  Had a nice dinner at the old spaghetti factory and then went out to see the sights one last time, before catching the shuttle back.

All the neon.  I think had Mackenzie been a little older (21) we could have hung out longer watched some bands and such, but after dark it's not a place for kids or teens.  Besides, we were pretty beat since were were up at 3:00 AM that morning.

Cleaned up and asleep by 10.

Barge in front of the Tennessee Titans Stadium

Elvis had not left the building.

Nashville

This is it - we finally are on the trip!

We left the house just before 3:30 AM to beat the traffic through Chicago.  About 2 and a half hours and $6.00 in tolls later we were in Indiana.

We got to see the sunrise on the windy city.

Seven hours later we were in Nashville.  Music City.  Only one stop for gas and bio break.  Kiki was a champ. 616 miles and the longest driving day of the trip is over.  No 1000 mile marathons this time thank goodness.

Beautiful weather for driving.

We checked in to the hotel and heard.  "Mr Turk, we upgraded you to a Junior Suite, thanks for your loyalty blah, blah blah."  "However, it is not ready yet"

Perfect, we need to eat some lunch anyway.   Foursquare, Yelp and TripAdvisor all said The Pharmacy for a burger and so we did.  Great burgers, nice buns, tater tots and a nice assortment of beverages.

We ate and the hotel called.  The room was ready.  Boom.  Largest single bedroom hotel room I have ever stayed in.  800 square foot at least.  This is the best trip evar!  too bad we are only here one night.

So we are relaxing, getting ready and will take a shuttle to downtown  a little later tonight.  Check out the sights and sounds of Nashville proper.

Less than 24 hours

Car is clean
Bags are packed
Maps are ready

By this time tomorrow we will be in Indiana some where on our way to the first stop:

NASHVILLE, TN

Music City Baby!

Countdown

This time next week Kiki and I should already be into Indiana.  Can you tell I am anxious to go?

My office is housing the stuff I gather as we get ready.  Yep, First Aid Kit and 12 pk of Frappuchino, chargers for phones, you know the essentials.  Glad my kids like the coffee drinks. :) 

  

Precedent has been set

Some 6 years ago, I cooked up some crazy idea to take Joel on a little post 8th grade graduation trip.  A little father and son time. You know, time have fun before you grow up and get set for the next phase of your life.

Well we all know how that thing grew legs.  Biking, mountains, concerts, bison, missing concerts, national parks.  In case you forgot  - refresh here.  It's nice to visit the past now and then.

We also went while Dad was in is cancer treatments.  We got back, Dad never got better and as we all know he passed away on Joel's 15th birthday a few months later.

Our time together really struck home after that.

So without further ado I intro the newest in the Turk Family of Blogs ™

Kiki and Dad's Road Trip Travelbalrog (LOL a little LOTR humor there).

Yep - I knew I wanted to do the same for Mackenzie shortly after I did that with Joel.

That time has come:  It's planned, reserved and we are only 3 weeks away from embarking on our own epic journey complete with mountains, national parks, horses, beaches and concerts.

I will be spilling some details over the next few days.

I am excited, is Mackenzie?  I hope so.