While cabin hunting with Lorie online a few months ago, we came across “The Castle in the Sky” and knew that it was the place for us! Let me say this again : We found a cabin-turned-cheesy-castle. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was perfect, and before you could say “Cinderella,” we booked it! Did I mention our trip was over Halloween? Perfection!

Despite a depressing start to our vacation (While driving in the rain, we got in a scary accident on the freeway about an hour away from our destination… Everyone’s fine, thank goodness, but I won’t be driving for a while!) Anyway, after a less than perfect start to the trip, we made it through the mountains and arrived at… *trumpets blowing*… Our castle!

If you’re planning a trip to Gatlinburg and are interested in staying in the castle, you can book it here. Despite the quirky appeal and affordable price, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone and we won’t ever be returning… I love the theme, but the place was disgusting and not kept up… I’m talking cobwebs in the stairwells, corners of the windows, along the walls… It was so gross. I was so thankful we came to stay in the fall when most of the TN bugs are dead- I can’t imagine this place crawling with insects in the summer! *shudders*

One of the bedrooms didn’t have power, in another, the king size mattress was balancing on a single support beam in the middle of the bed, which meant any slight movement and the whole mattress would rock about 4 inches up and down. The showers were so tiny with almost no water pressure, and the front door was so flimsy I felt like even little Huckleberry could have kicked it open…

… But the view was nice! :)

It’s such a shame the place was so poorly cared for, because it really is a cute thought, especially with kids. I should also mention that Lorie and I had near-tumbles down these stairs.

The decor was awful– Part castle, part American Indian, with random paintings of women throughout. Yes, those are three Indian heads hanging on the wall… There was an air vent below them that moved their hair in the breeze… Creepy!

A cabin must- Puzzles!

What do you do when the place you’re staying doesn’t have a wine key? Watch this video… Yes, it worked- On three bottles!

On the boys’ hike, they came across this abandoned cabin, complete with empty bunks and an outhouse.

For our friends and family that don’t “get” our move to Tennessee- See? :)

Beautiful as the scenery is, I could spend a weekend in an empty room with this guy and have just as good a time! :)

And because I know Huck hasn’t had as much face time on the blog as I like, here are some recent photos of him in leaves! I also have to say here that leaves have officially been added to Huck’s “hate list.” He growls at them when they fall, refuses to sit on them, and doesn’t seem to find the tiny crunching under his paws as endearing as the rest of us. :)

More Tennessee Posts!

• Sarah and Zach’s Ranch Engagement
• Hudson’s At-Home Baby Session
• Lorie and Jon’s Barn Proposal