Celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary in the same chalet and room we honeymooned in, Fabulous Chalet Inn. We planned on leaving at 8 this morning. We didn't leave until 11:30 am. It rained the whole ride there. Warren was getting aggravated at the drivers on the road, as usual, HA! We reserved room number 212. It was exciting to see it again. Hasn't changed much. There was a small leak under the bathroom sink if you let the water run too long. We got settled in for a bit then headed out. We walked around downtown Gatlinburg. It was wet, cold, and rainy out but didn't really bother us. We mostly were sight seeing. It was past supper time and we walked up to a restaurant called The Best Italian Cafe. They closed at 9:00 p.m. It was 8:45 p.m. but they let us in any way. We both ordered spaghetti and it was delicious. We were the only ones there. The food portions were huge, we could have shared a plate. The meal cost us $45 bucks! Most of the stores were closing. We decided to go through the Guinness Book of World Record Museum. Admission was $20.00 for the both of us. Again, we were the only ones there. I took a photo of Warren standing beside a life size model of the worlds tallest man. Both of us cracked up at the photo. Warren looked like a tiny man beside it. Another funny moment was Warren sitting down on a stool with wheels and falling in the floor (I actually caught it on video). We got to test out our typing skills (I'm faster and better at it than Warren). We can't seem to get the image out of our heads of the man who holds the record for the most eaten raw oysters...nasty! After the museum we did a little more site seeing. Despite being cold, we got an ice cream at McDonalds. Ice cream shops seem to be popular in Gatlinburg, even during winter. It was getting late so we headed back to our Chalet. At this point I had been up solid since Sunday morning. Why, I'm not sure! I had stayed up the night before we left cleaning house and packing. I always wait until the last minute to get things ready. So, a very fun first day.
I can't believe we've been married for 17 years. I think we are more in love with each other today than we were the day we got married. Maybe it's because we're older and more wise. Or maybe it's because we're just lucky. Whatever the reason, it's been quiet a journey. Some good times, some bad times, but all worth it. We've made some magical memories through the years, and I'm hoping from this day forward we'll make thousands more together.

I love you Warren!
Happy 17th anniversary.