It was our Spring Break. Time for our annual "tax refund vacation." Taiyo was off from school for 10 days- we had to get out of town. A month ago, I was still undecided going through family destination travel book. Then I came across "Dollywood," Dolly Parton's amusement park in Tennessee. Although I'm not a particular fan of Dolly Parton, I did want to go there once in my life. After a bit of research, it turned out to be a perfect destination: a short flight (less than two hours) with perfect schedule (afternoon flights), in the south (kind of exotic and it should be warmer!), and I found a beautiful mountain resort with a huge indoor water park on site. So that was our trip: Dollywood and Great Smokey Mountains. I was so proud of myself to come up with such a plan- obviously not many family Spring Breakers were heading that way. There was one direct flight a day to Knoxsville, Tennessee, and it was a tiny airplane, and not even full. Not many people were heading there from NYC, period. The timing was perfect. The flowers were everywhere down there. And we just missed a crowd they just had for a big car show down there, they told us when we arrived the resort. We stayed up on a hill overlooking across Great Smokey Mountains. Taiyo totally loved the place since our unit was more like a real apartment than a hotel- a kitchen, living room with TV, washer and dryer in the bathroom, and bedroom with TV (we did not need it and we did not use it.)

We dined at Smokehouse Grill at the resort. I ordered smoked brisket and here it was, two thick slices with 70-percent fat, seriously. I could not eat a quarter of it. Taiyo loved chicken fingers and curly fries.

The following day, we had to do Dollywood! Taiyo had vintage photo taken, got on some rides, chatted with an old blacksmith, saw a show of yodeling grandpas from Switzerland, rode a steam engine, and had Chinese buffet lunch of predictable qualities. There in Tennessee, I was surprised to be served by all white people everywhere, even in Chinese buffet restaurant. It was very, very white country. And they were nice, friendly, and spoke with slow southern accent which sounded to me like foreign language. I didn't notice a single Asian person there, although we drove by maybe two Japanese/Chinese restaurant.
The next day it rained/snowed all day. It was like 30 degrees! This was supposed to be southern vacation! So we enjoyed their massive indoor water park with no guilt. Then Taiyo enjoyed watching Sponge Bob back in our room. The arcade at the resort was also handy.

There were so may pancake places down there, so we had to try one of them before leaving. We went to Flapjack's Pancake Cabin, which was just down the street fro the resort. Taiyo got kid's french toast, and I got "The Works" omelette which came with two pancakes and yucky grits (I could never understand it.) These and a cup of coffee and orange juice was 14 dollars. So really cheap, but worth the money? Mmmm....
So I'd say it was pretty good successful vacation, although food was pretty bad in general. If we ever go down there again, I will just drive straight to a supermarket and utilize the kitchen. But it was interesting, a new country, and yes, we are safe back in the city.

Finally air is softening. I got some cherry branches from Union Square market and buds are surely fattening. Last Sunday, we went to see "Robot Competition" at Javits Center. Aside from watching robots built by middle-school students hauling balls, which was a great environment by itself, Taiyo got to control a little robot, and made a balloon fueled car with popsicle sticks and life savers.

On the way back we stopped at Skylight Diner on 34th Street and 9th ave, because it was there on the way to B&H, one of the few places nowadays I can purchase real film for my old camera. Taiyo never protests going to a "Diner." I try to avoid it, because I won't be able to eat anything decent. That was exactly what happened. The decor was old diner style, cute and bright. I liked it. Service was quick and friendly, which is pretty good. But the food. I don't even want to describe the food. I don't come to this type of place with high expectations, but my. It reminded me of that diner in Forest Hills we went last year only because it was conveniently located right by the subway. At least it wasn't horrendously expensive and Taiyo ate at least half of his French toast that was alarmingly yellow. I ate my eggs Benedict although it was too runny and not poached enough because I was hungry but felt so low eating it. I would say we shall return only if it was the only place nearby and the world was ending. I just wanted to have an average food, but not bad food.

But trip to B&H compensated for bad lunch. This place still totally amazes me with it's automated efficiency. The baskets are transported overhead to the pick-up area via tracks, which of course is the coolest thing to hang around and watch. We don't even have to go play with all kinds of camera and gadgets in the store. Just watch those bins transported above. I felt like I was the coolest mom to take him to such coolest places.