Weekend Trip + Transmission = A funny story to tell

I have a newly rebuilt transmission in my car. I don't know what it looks like (I am not mechanical in any way and would have no idea where it is located in my car) but I'm sure it's nice and shiny. So how did I come about getting this gem?

First of all, I love the mountains. The beauty you see and find is breathtaking. You cannot help but feel peaceful and I did.

Our journey to the mountains was a surprise trip for our daughter. She woke up Friday morning and was given a book that my husbands slaved over for many weekends. Inside she read that she was not going to school but going on a Mountain Weekend Adventure ( it was given the code acronym MAW when we discussed anything around L). We were going to the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC and then heading to Gatlinburg, TN for a fun weekend. And off we went!

Our first stop was the Biltmore House. Such a stunning place with the most beautiful scenery. L loved seeing the big mansion and it was excited for us that she was being exposed to the history of the house.


My sweet family:




L taking in the view:



Part One of the trip is a success!

Now to part two....drive to Gatlinburg.

We noticed as we started our journey that the transmission was slipping getting into certain gears so David drove the car in manual. We babied that thing the entire drive. We made it to Gatlinburg! Sweet!

We spend the rest of that day walking up and down the main road taking in the sights, enjoying some food, went through the hall of mirrors, etc. Just a nice end to the day.

The next day we go to the Aquarium, Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, etc.. Just lots to do there. The grand finale was going to be the Dixie Stampede (a country fried version of Medieval Times). I was so excited and so was baby girl.

BUT.......

before we could even drive off the main strip, the car stops. AND WILL NOT GO. This street was bumper to bumper (A Santa parade had just ended. Seriously, who puts on a Santa parade in March?!) We were a bit panicked because we were right in the middle of this 4 lane road and we had no where to go. Luckily, a few locals saw us with our hazards on and helped push the car into a nearby parking lot.

Long story short, our car got a ride to Knoxville where it stayed a week and had it's transmission rebuilt.

And we missed the Dixie Stampede. *sigh*