Growing up in East Tennessee, summer has always been synonymous with long days by the pool, lake or local swimming hole: find your nearest body of water and park yourself for a refreshing day of aquatic fun. This summer, I’m even more determined to have a game plan for staying cool. Why? By the [...]
When it comes time to plan a summer vacation, we all want to make sure we get the most of our adventure. Plus, by putting extra effort in to planning your vacation before you head out, you help ensure your experience will be much smoother once you arrive at your final destination. If you’re thinking [...]
Recovery. It’s the process of getting back to normal. In all things, God has a plan and that plan is beautifully illustrated in a new message from Dolly Parton. I was lucky enough to be in the studio the day Dolly sat down to communicate her heartfelt thoughts about the November fires in the [...]
There is nothing like the anticipation and pure exhilaration of a really tall drop tower. You climb steadily up and up as the world falls below you and your vista of the park becomes wider and clearer you feel free. The anticipation is amazing and contagious as everyone is waiting for the payoff, stomachs [...]
Our family recently had the opportunity to visit Dollywood, and we were able to enjoy it to our fullest potential. My kids seek adventure, enjoy new attractions, and are balls of energy, but we often reach a point when everything can feel a bit overwhelming. Whether it's too much to process, overwhelmed senses, or not [...]
I’m one of those people who plan family vacations and excursions well in advance. I know everyone is not like me, but I feel I can make the most of our trip (and money spent) if I’ve done a little research in advance to make sure I know more about the locations and attractions [...]
With motherhood comes many of those, “I never thought I’d (fill in the blank here)” realizations. Dinnertime conversations, for example, can include topics I’d never DREAM to discuss above a whisper three years ago. (Somehow, I did not know that the tiniest humans can make the BIGGEST, smelliest messes?!) One of these newer realizations [...]
Let’s go ahead and state the obvious—when Dolly Parton is involved, the finished product is going to be spectacular. Dollywood’s entertainment offerings are more proof of that. In fact, the park’s shows have won the Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park Entertainment for the last eight years! While I work here now, I’ve been [...]
My family and I love to go off the beaten tourist path and to check out the local haunts to grab a bite to eat when we are on vacation. The Great Smoky Mountains may not be your first thought of a culinary mecca but there is a great variety of locally owned joints where [...]
I looked over my notes one more time. My vote would be the tie-breaker. This girls’ weekend in the Smoky Mountains was full of promise—three nights with good friends AND three nights without wife/mom responsibilities. This decision is BIG: resort stay or luxury cabin for our home base? One of my friends argues that [...]
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