Climb Works Canopy Ziplining

October 18, 2012 By

At my first Brandcation I was introduced to ziplining. I found it to be thrilling, exciting and invigorating so when the opportunity came up to go ziplining in Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg, I jumped on the opportunity. This time Climb Works Canopy was taking us and it would be totally different from my first experience. Climb Works Canopy does not require you to hand brake yourself, but instead they use an in-house designed braking system and a “catcher”. Thomas was our catcher. So I guess that makes Sierra our “pusher”? No, seriously, she was our guide that got us all set up and ready to zip, and helped us make a little fun of Thomas.

Video of me ziplining provided by Momma D and Da Boyz

I actually can’t say enough about the people that work at Climb Works Canopy, because they made the experience really special. Thomas and Sierra were just plain fun. I’m not sure any of us have laughed that hard before in our lives. I think they could hear us all the way into another county!

I really don’t want to give too much away, but Climb Works Canopy starts your trip out strong with, dare I say it, a death defying ride up the mountain and ends it with a little “surprise” at the end. In between it is just you, some friends, and the beauty of the Smokey Mountains. The day we went it was drizzling and the mountains were covered in the fog that gives them their smokey appearance. Since it was early October many of the trees were just turning their brilliant shades of russet and gold, so zipping through them at 30 mph was just breathtaking and somewhat surreal.

Shh, don’t tell them I told you, but if you want, they will let you try riding upside down on one of the lines. Remember don’t tell them I told you! Oh, and read the plaques on the platforms.

I loved Climb Works Canopy and if I get a chance to go back to Gatlinburg I will be heading out to see them and try out their new Night Zipping. And don’t tell my husband this, but I think they only hire good looking people to be part of their crew, because everyone we saw working there was gorgeous.  I want to put a little shout out to Sierra and Thomas, and thank them for making our trip so fantastic. I think they kind of liked us too!

Climb Works Canopy graciously hosted our ziplining for free. All opinions are genuine and my own.

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Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge

October 17, 2012 By

 

Photos provided by Titanic Museum

While in Pigeon Forge I had the opportunity to visit the Titanic Museum. This museum exhibit is one of the largest permanent collections of Titanic artifacts and memorabilia. As I entered the museum I was given a boarding pass with the name of an actual Titanic passenger. Often, as you are walking through the museum, you can check to see if anything from your passenger was located and is on display in the museum. I didn’t find anything belonging to my passenger, a governess to a 19 year old girl, but at the end of the tour is a wall with information about all the passengers – those who survived and those that did not. My passenger survived.

I was really touched by this museum. I have always been interested in how real people lived, not about the mechanics of a certain situation, but what their day to day experiences were. This museum not only tells you about what happened to the Titanic, but it gives you a glimpse into how magnificent the ship was, and the types of people about her.

Several installments in the museum were particularly interesting to me. The first is a simple stairwell modeled after one on the ship. As you stand looking at this stairwell water begins to pour down the stairs. It is haunting to watch and of course your mind wanders to imagine yourself in that very real and very scary situation. I can still feel the panic rising in my stomach as I type this. Another very haunting exhibit are pictures taken by a young priest who got off the Titanic at it last port of call before heading out into the Atlantic. His photography brought real people into the exhibit, they were no longer names or objects left behind, but they were humans captured on film.

Two other exhibits were fascinating and enlightening, but equally powerful. One is from the bridge. You get to see what the Titanic’s captain and officers must have seen that fateful night and you get a chance to feel how terribly cold the water was. I can not imagine being dumped into an ocean so cold and so black. And for me the other impactful installment is a miniature deck where you get to experience the degree at which the Titanic was tilted in the water. There was no way you could remain upright as the floor slanted so violently upward.

Photo provided by Titanic Museum

I had the audio tour provided for me by the Titanic Museum and I would highly recommend it, although it is not necessary when enjoying the museum. All opinions are my own.

 

 

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E.T. Movie On DVD

October 17, 2012 By

The E.T. movie has been released on Blu-Ray DVD! Do you remember watching E.T. for the first time? I do. I remember crying my eyes out over that adorable little extra-terrestrial. What a fantastic movie! I know E.T. lived on in my heart for a very long time. I still recall my friends and I touching fingers just like E.T. and Elliot would. How we would mimic E.T. saying “Ell-i-ot”. And I will never look at a group of stuffed animals the same way again. What about the beer drinking scene? Oh, the memories this movie brings back. I’m so glad that it has been re-released on Blu-Ray so my children can experience the magic of “E.T. Phone home”. E.T. is truly an American Classic movie.

The new Anniversary Edition (it has been 30 years!!) contains not only the original movie in perfect Hi-Def picture and all-new 7.1 audio, but all-new bonus features including Steven Spielberg & E.T. where the director reflects on his experience making E.T. , the E.T. Journals, Deleted Scenes, the Evolution and Creation of E.T., the Music of E.T. and more.

Along with the DVD I received an E.T. figurine which I plan to keep next to my computer to remind me about my own heartlight. The DVD is available starting October 9, 2012. I hope your family enjoys the love of Elliot, Gertie and E.T. as much as my family does.

In exchange for this review I was provided with a complimentary copy of the DVD and a figurine. All opinions are my own.

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Lumberjack Feud Pigeon Forge

October 16, 2012 By


I don’t think I have ever yelled so much in my entire life as I did while watching the Lumberjack Feud in Pigeon Forge. This place is crazy fun. When all 34 of us bloggers arrived at the Lumberjack Feud we were totally excited to see some lumberjacks do their stuff, but I don’t think any of us really knew what to expect. We were in for a pleasant (and not unattractive) surprise!

We were seated on the Dawson side of the arena and were introduced to our lumberjack family. And then the yelling began. We cheered for our lumberjacks, our dogs and our audience participation contestants.  We jeered at the other family, their lumberjacks, their dogs and their audience participation contestants. It was quite loud and a ton of fun.

During the Lumberjack Feud Ranger Black keeps an eye on the teams and helps move the story along. He acts as judge over the contestants and I have to say, there were a few times I didn’t agree with Ranger Black’s decisions, but ultimately truth prevailed and the Dawson clan won! As it should be.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show, even if it was the reason I lost my voice, and the food was great too. I loved the ribs and the mac and cheese. The staff was friendly and encouraging but not intrusive. I wanted a lumberjack cookie, but never got one. When you go, see if you can get one. Having a cute kid with you makes it a bit easier. I loved the adorable Lumberjack Feud souvenirs they had in their shop, including the cute T-shirts they have for the kids. There were a ton of people celebrating all sorts of life events such as birthdays and wedding anniversary. One man even got up on stage and proposed to his wife all over again (PS – She said “yes”).

Lumberjack Feud is a whole lot of fun in an easy setting. I thing it would be a great place to take the whole family. We even saw a few sleeping babies there – but I have no idea how they slept through the chainsaw events.

Lumberjack Feud was a complimentary show as part of my Brandcation package. All opinions are my own.

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