Mike and Scattered (our youth/Saturday night band at Cornerstone) lead a youth service at a church in Weber City VA/TN.  We took the kids with us and made a little side trip to Sevierville and spent a night at  Wilderness at the Smokies.  I have to admit I am not a huge fan of Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.  There is some great shopping there and hiking trails if you get out of the hustle and bustle but mostly I think it is overcrowded and tacky.   We got there late on Sunday night – to a very clean, new comfy room and spent all day yesterday at the indoor water park.  We had a blast.  There were probably only 50 other people there so no waiting in line and once Emma had the wave pool all to herself.  I am sure this summer when they open the outdoor water park and the masses descend on the Smokies there will be long lines and crowded pools – not to mention the room rates double.  It was a great little mini vacation for us to spend as a family and a little bit of summer on a cold winter day.  Great Wolf Lodge is opening an indoor water park hotel in Charlotte near Concord Mills and the Lowes Motor speedway.  Indoor water park fun a little closer to home.  It will be open in mid April.