Yesterday morning was our last morning in the chalet. We got together for a group shot. We did several takes. The “funny face” version was my favorite:
So fun to see what each person chooses to do.
As we were leaving, we saw bear prints on the trash box outside our chalet. Interesting… and a little scary.
The lid worked… it kept the bear out.
We stopped in Gatlinburg to do some shopping again. I went off on my own to satisfy my inner childhood Brad by stopping at all the places he would go. His favorite place was a store that was full of swords and knives and ninja supplies. I spent a long time looking at them. The cosplay swords from various video games, cartoons, and movies were astounding. And most of them were around $100, which I think is pretty dang cheap. I did resist the urge to buy Gandalf’s sword Glamdring though.
So many shiny, sparkly things.
We ate lunch in Pigeon Forge, then rode some go carts. They made us register and asked for all kinds of personal information. I wrote all fake stuff. If you ever talk to me around those people, please call me Carl Anderson.
Harold and Tim came in first.
Last night we stayed in Knoxville with our good friends Mark and Debbie. It is so fun to see them again. I wish we lived closer. Beth and I grew up with Debbie, so she is like a sister to us. Tara and Tim were excited that they had a pool:
It was HOT yesterday.
Brady let me know he was driving through Knoxville on his way to Hickory, so we arranged to meet. On my way to the Starbucks, I passed by the iconic Sunsphere. It was part of the 1982 World’s Fair, which I visited many many times when I lived here. Seeing the Sunsphere brought back many good memories.
If I remember correctly, those glass panels are plated with actual gold.
Talking with Brady was really fun. I’m so glad he took some time from his trip to chat with me. As we were parting ways, he said he had a gift for me.
Ha!
It’s a Playmobil Martin Luther! I couldn’t believe it! No one can get their hands on these. They are back ordered until sometime in July. And I have one! Thanks, Brady! It’s awesome!
Jealous!
Ha! Brady, you are awesome!
What a fun way to wrap up your time together. I am so glad a bear didn’t eat you and your friends, Carl. Martin must have been watching over you. 😉
It was a great walk down “memory lane” for me from our many visits to your family when you lived there. Kinda curious who was there with you in your “goofy” picture….Of course, I recognize some. I still have things that I bought in Gatlinburg. I am in the process of downsizing, purging, and moving to a smaller place here in Arlington, but I think those things will make the “cut” for taking along!!! <3 Aunt Bev 🙂