Ripley's Aquarium

Gatlinburg was a wonderful time this year - again. It's so refreshing to get away into the crisp fall air - although this year it was a little warm for autumn. Still, it was a fantastic getaway for our family. This morning, we woke up slowly - for the most part it was a good night's rest. Last year we did not sleep so well because of the beds we slept in - hard as a rock!

But this year's hotel choice was just fine. Plus, as a bonus, we were right next to the aquarium! Daddy went downstairs to collect the usual continental breakfast items as Madison watched the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the television. Mommy packed things up, although that didn't take that long because we really didn't pack much to begin with.

After a bit, we checked out and walked across the street to our destination: Ripley's Aquarium. We got there just in time for the penguin feeding, so we zipped over to the penguins, where Madison had the best time of all. She crawled through underwater tunnels as penguins swam all around her. It was feeding time, so they were all together and ready to eat. Daddy got to crawl in too, and hoist her up a bit inside so she could look around to see the penguins.

Afterwards, we visited the rays and watched them eat as well - Madison even got to go above the waterline and reach down to pet one. "Sticky!" she said. She was so gleeful as she watched them playfully splash at her. Already she was having the time of her life!

Next, we toured the rest of the aquarium. Madison saw all sorts of creatures, from tiny frogs to a ginormous sawfish. She saw unusual jellyfish and mudskippers, sea turtles and gigantic crabs. She looked up at the sharks as we went through the underwater tunnel, and she looked down again at the penguins as they raced beneath her.

The interactive play area held her fancy for quite some time: one treasure chest shot out a quick and scary burst of air when a certain button was pressed. Madison screamed in delight each time, laughing so hard! Then she stood on top of a flounder that vibrated - but only when stepped upon. Which means she stepped on it a lot!

Madison didn't want to leave. It was such a good time for us all, but we had to get going in order to make it back at a reasonable hour.

But the journey to and from Gatlinburg is all part of the experience. The leaves were so brilliant in color, light beams filtering through the trees as we made our way through forest groves, leaves gently cascading down around us. We made a couple stops at scenic overlooks, just to see the towering mountains covered in colors. One stop was Newfound Gap Pass, which is the highest part of the journey of the Great Smokey Mountains. We took some photos from the top, and even walked a tiny portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Soon it was time to go home for real though, so we hopped back in the car and descended down from the mountains. Mommy and Madison slept, as Daddy drove everyone home.

It was a wonderful journey, brief and yet quite wonderful for the family. Daddy took so many pictures that he liked that he put together a slide show below, using some of the music we listen to along the way from the hammered dulcimer. Enjoy!