Gatlinburg Trip

We got back from a fun trip to Gatlinburg today.
We managed to walk to Cataract Falls and back from the Sugarlands Visitor Center area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We also went on to the Chimneys Picnic area...not walking! There was even a little leftover snow around there.
The hotel we stayed at was Fairfield Inn in downtown Gatlinburg.
We were next to the "river" that was like a wide creek, and there was a whirlpool tub in the room (yes, in the room!, and a gas type fireplace and a balcony. The walls were thin though!
Anyway, we walked downtown some looking for a particular pancake place. We ended up at the second choice on my list which was just okay and cost too much, and then we walked on to the Aquarium. Well, we got two wheelchairs there and took turns pushing each other.
I would say it's comparable to the Aquarium of the Pacific in some ways, only there is nothing out of doors. Also, this place had a fun area for the kids, and the sea life going overhead while you are on a conveyer belt thing (although some points it stopped working!).
Today we went to the Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge (to one of the display places). We actually got to vote on our favorite quilt, although my Dad didn't participate! Then we ate at The Cracker Barrel, and my Mom & I got something at a gas station store on the way back to first picking up our cat from the vet kennel and then going home. It rained today on the way home, but the weather was pretty good for most of the trip. It was even sunny some the first day, so that I was shedding my jacket and second shirt jacket! I still had a long sleeved shirt.
Really my pain level could have been worse, and that hot tub was a big help for sore muscles (we used swim suits to use that). I'm very thankful it went so well overall for me. It was pushing it for us though!