Anna's Awesome Adventures!!!: Silver Dollar City, Mother's Day, & Home!

Saturday, May 11, 2013 -- Silver Dollar City (SDC) day! We slept in until 8 AM, had some cereal and juice in the room, checked out, and arrived at SDC around 9:45. After parking and walking a good ways, we were in the park. My parents got season passes and this weekend was a "bring-a-friend-free" weekend. So Matthew and I were the free friends. :) They were also having bluegrass weekend, so there was plenty of nice notes floating through the air, both live shows and via speakers. My grandma, who lives about 20 minutes from SDC, met us and was with us for the day.

We rode four roller coasters -- Fire in the Hole, Wildfire, Powderkeg, and Outlaw Run. The latter is their new coaster, the only wooden one to go upside down in the world. Wait times were awful, as is normal for new rides, but we actually were able to get right on at the front (due to a long story...ask me about it later!). It was pretty exciting but definitely not worth more than a 45-minute wait, I would say. Other than roller coasters, we did the giant swing (major g-forces), the Flooded Mine (laser-gun "boat" ride; my gun didn't work), the train (it stopped for a funny skit), a swinging bridge, and a "haunted mansion" (weird mirrors, crazily sloping floors). Besides rides, we checked out the Wilderness Chapel, the petting zoo (goats, chickens, geese, CUTE baby pigs, and a rabbit), the blacksmith and wood shops, the leather shop (smelled so good...I got an adorable little saddle purse), a shawl shop, a baked goods shop (found some cool cookie cutters; Grandma got everyone yummy sugar cookies), an ice cream shop (the pineapple shake is homemade and wonderful), and the glass shop (we even saw glass-blowing and solid glass sculpting...beautiful). Right before leaving, we got pork rinds..."protein and air," according to the team of two running the little booth. Yum!

After our busy, tiring, people-filled, incredibly fun day, we returned to Grandma's home. After supper, apple pie for dessert, and showers, we hit the covers at 11:15. We slept well!

Sunday, May 12, 2013 -- After waking up at 7:45, we all had breakfast, including fudge muffins I baked on Wednesday night as a surprise. My mom didn't know it!! We went to Redeemer Lutheran Church (where my uncle and his family attend); the 9:30 service. Then we went to Leong's Tea House in Springfield (MO). It has great Asian food. Most everyone got the famous cashew chicken, and combined with rice, wok tok (fried pork), and crab rangoons, it was a feast. Visiting and eating followed.

By 4:00, we had arrived back home. This was a wonderful, much-needed getaway. From the trail ride (perfect temps and weather!), to the Dixie Stampede, to Silver Dollar City (we hadn't been there for more than seven years), to beautiful sunsets, it was great. What I enjoyed most of all? Being with my wonderful family; the four of us just enjoying fun things together. It was a special weekend and I'd especially like to thank my parents for making it possible, my entire family for taking time to do this, and my Grandma for coming to SDC and letting us stay at her home.

I will bid you farewell for now, but I'll be back before you know it. I can never stay away from wonderful adventures too long. Adios, amigos!