Our first night there, we had dinner at a German restaurant, The Linderhof, 
where it took over two hours for us to get our meal. Ach du lieber! 

The next day, we went out for a boat ride on the Tennessee River. Nick, my mom's husband, was our captain;
Great-Aunt Marliese; Marliese and my aunt Waltraud enjoying themselves

Waltraud, Marliese, and Marliese's daughter Linda; Linda's husband Bill

Ron's wife Jean; Ally; Waltraud and Marliese and their hats

We anchored the boat and most of us went for a very long swim in the river; Marliese's son Ron

Me and the girls; the kids spent hours in the river...

...swimming, playing, and jumping off the boat. Eventually, we had to go back...

...for cake and presents!

While we were in the area, we went caving at the Lost Sea, site of a huge underground lake

The caves were first used by Indians, then by Confederate soldiers, 
one of whom burnt the date onto the ceiling. Our girls loved exploring it!

On our way back to the parking lot, this butterfly landed on my arm and didn't want to leave.
We didn't want to leave, either. So long from my perfectly normal family (yeah, right)!