We left Luray, VA and made it to Pigeon Forge, TN. 385 miles breaking our self-imposed rule to stick to 300 miles or less a day but we want to get to Dollywood! The drive was uneventful, yay, except for passing numerous accidents in Knoxville. Kids are loving the down time the drive provides and find it more comfortable each day. Maddy was worried about getting carsick and sharing small spaces and she has recently admitted she’s not only enjoying the rides, she loves her shared loft space! Phew. No one wants to be stuck with a grumpy, moody 12 year old.

I was able to make a few more calls on the way and setup a shop visit for Crystal tomorrow while we have Dollywood plans and Murphy has Doggywood accommodations. Timing seems perfect and the shop agreed to get her in the very next day to accommodate our drive thru. Best case scenario, it’s a quick fix. Worst case, it might take longer to fix and we continue on our way without it. Worth a shot. So we spent the night in a pet friendly hotel along the very entertaining Pigeon Forge Parkway. While we could have dropped off Crystal in the morning (which would have avoided packing overnight bags) it would mean not being at Dollywood when the park opened and we have priorities.

Even though this was an ideal stop for Crystal, Mat and I both had a little separation anxiety without her. I think we’re bonding. And maybe a little scarred from past Camping World experiences and worried that they’ll lose her, or find more wrong, or spend too long looking at her and we don’t get her back tomorrow as planned… Wish us luck.