Getting out of town! It seems I'm gone so much these days, my youngest likes to try and pack himself when I get my luggage out to go somewhere.

I like to travel with my kids as much as possible and take tons of mini vacations. I’m more likely to plan something spontaneously than spend months on end saving. That’s just how I roll. I don't plan to be this way, I just am. I like to keep things exciting. I’m an adrenaline junkie and travel enthusiast.  I don't get an adrenaline rush by planning every minute detail.

I decided to take a spur of the moment journey across the south east with my boys. Our itinerary is tentatively mapped out. The car is loaded down with camping gear, sheets, pillows, clothes for varying temperature extremes. We made a few phone calls and shot out a few emails to family and friends to let them know that we’ll be passing through. We have tickets to Dollywood and a reservation at Lansdowne  Resort in Virginia, but other than that we're winging it!

I took to the road a little bit too late at night. We stopped for dinner at Wendy’s because I know I can feed my kids and myself for under $5 and everyone be happy. I always stock up before I leave the house on easy snacks for everyone. Juice pouches for the boys and ample Coke and Red Bull for me are necessities!



The kids passed out pretty early and slept through the night. Elmo and I took to the road as warriors only stopping for fuel. An 8 hour drive during the hours your body is accustomed to sleeping is not a task for the faint of heart.

Rolling into Tennessee at 5:40 a.m. was not the brightest idea in the world. Especially considering I needed to stay alert to watch the kids in a water park and theme park all day.  But we survived it! And who doesn't love a good sunrise. (More Red Bull please)



We decided to scope out Dollywood and then work backwards to find a hotel. We didn't have a problem finding a KOA within a couple of miles from Dollywood. After being up all night a tent was not exactly what I had in  mind. Instead we rented one of the KOA Cabins on the river. Sawweeet!!

Check this place out!!




We spent most of the day in the water park. The water park was more popular with the kids and is fantastic for a hot day. The park wasn't as big as I expected it to be. That actually seemed to make it less stressful to watch the kids by myself. The baby took a much needed afternoon nap and I was sure that we had the DS nearby to keep the older one occupied and relatively still.



After a short power nap we went from the water park to Dollywood. The train was pretty cool! The kids really enjoyed riding it. You can learn more about this train and other Tennessee Trains by reading my article on the website.



We dressed up and had old timey pictures taken together. They don't allow photography inside the place where they do their western get-up pictures, but I sure wish they did! I snapped a quick cell picture of Luke getting ready. This is one of the best photo booths I've ever been to costume wise. I could have played dress up in there all day. The kids really liked it too. They had pint sized props too. Luke wanted to take his gun with him.



It was a long day! Sleep is essential, good thing the kids are all tuckered out from a fun packed day!! We're calling it a night!