She came very prepared…
Our youngest grandchild, Cason, spent three weeks at Camp Illahee, a private camp for young girls in Brevard, North Carolina. When the three weeks were up, Helen and I drove over to pick her up and take her to Knoxville for four days. Her family lives in Charleston, and although we visit there quite often, we don’t get much alone time with her. We were eager to have this opportunity for some “catch-up” time.
Because Interstate 40 was closed at the North Carolina border due to a rockslide, we took an alternate route through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Cherokee, NC, where we spent one night to arrive at Camp Illahee at 9:00 am on the day of pickup. How could we be so fortunate? Two hours in our mountains is better than a quick trip anywhere on the Interstate.
Camp Illahee is about an hour and a half drive from Cherokee. Helen and I were up early and out the door in plenty of time to make the trip. We arrived around 8:45 and were first in line. A staff person met us and stopped us short of the pickup point as dozens of young ladies carried trunks, bags, and clothing to the parking area in droves. I took a picture of the activity, but it didn’t come out :-(. Cason spotted us immediately and hopped in. We waited several minutes before four strong boys carried her trunk and sleeping bag to our car.
While waiting, Cason pulled out her notes and read us her Camp BeBe (our grandchildren’s name for Helen) Bucket List of what she wanted to accomplish while in Knoxville. Did I mention she came prepared?
We took a different route through the National Park en route to Knoxville so that we could spend some time in the very touristy city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As soon as we asked her what she wanted to do for lunch, she spotted The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant. That’s all it took. The Melting Pot is a favorite of Cason and her Dad. We enjoyed a delicious Cheese fondue with assorted fruits, bread, and vegetables.
Gatlinburg was packed with summer tourists, but we managed to walk the streets and make a stop at the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, which has been in the city since it was a two-stoplight town. We loaded up with good stuff.
In the following paragraphs, I’ll cover the bucket list, but here again, some of the pictures didn’t come out very well–I’m sure readers will get the drift–we had fun.
UNO
Cason loves to play games, and one of her favorites is the card game UNO. We played several games before dinner. BeBe and I never had a chance.
Play Pickleball
Helen plays pickleball with a group of ladies three days a week, and Cason paired up with her against several pairs of the group. I don’t have pictures, but Helen said she played well and got her serve in every time.
Bake Bread
This young lady loves to cook, so I prepared some Sourdough Bread starter before she arrived and asked her to bake some fresh loaves for us. She made a total of six, as well as a pan of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Brownies. I put my diet on hold for a couple of days.
Visit Great-Grandmother Helen
At 97, my sweet Mom lives in a nearby Nursing facility. She is still sharp as a tack but doesn’t get out much. Item number four on the Camp BeBe Bucket List was to visit her. While we were in Gatlinburg, Cason bought her some Chocolate Covered Cherries (Mom’s favorite) and some delicious Chocolate Fudge to share. The idea was pure Cason, and Mom was thrilled. We spent nearly an hour with her.
Animal Shelter
This girl adores animals and plans to be a veterinarian someday. Item five was a visit to the animal shelter, where she could play with some kittens. The picture I have is not very clear, but touching nonetheless.
PediSpa
After the kitty convention, BeBe said that she thought a trip to the spa for mani-pedis was in order, so they took off, and the spa operator squeezed them in. A spa outing was not on the bucket list, but they both seem happy with the results.
Bookstore
Item six was a trip to the bookstore. Cason had read all of the books she carried to Camp Illahee and needed some new reading material. She and Helen made one trip to Barnes & Noble, where she bought two books for $40. They then went to McKays Used Bookstore, where they purchased six books and a board game for the same amount. Big Daddy loves the used bookstore. Cason began reading them that night until BeBe interrupted for help with her latest puzzle.
All too quickly, the time arrived for Cason to head back to Charleston. Coincidentally, a dear friend was going to Charleston that same day and agreed to give her a ride. We loaded her camp gear in the car, exchanged big hugs, and sent her home. I’m sure that Cason was looking forward to seeing her parents, her older sister, and her many friends, but it was a tear-jerker for BeBe and Big Daddy. She was a joy to have in the house, as well as busting through the Camp BeBe Bucket List. We miss her already.
I love a girl with an Agenda!!
Good morning!
It was so nice to have her plan her time with us. All we had to do was go where we were told! Have a great week. Joe
So glad you had so many fun events and time together! Very envious. Love to everyone.
Carolyn,
It was a joy to have her with us for a few days. She came armed and ready with a fun list of things to do from the moment we picked her up. She spoke of you often. Hope to see you soon. Have a great week! Big Daddy
Looking forward to being with all of you when they move into the new house! I’ve offered to help pack, but no form date yet.
I know they’re anxious. I don’t know about packing, but they’re welcome to my truck. It’s going to be nice! CB is installing hook-ups for our camper so we can have our own Mother-In-Law Suite :-).
Wow, you have a special granddaughter in Miss Cason! She is sooo thoughtful and organized! Thank you for sharing your story about her summer visit with y’all! 👏🏻
Hi, Dan!
She’s a jewel–and sooo smart! Thanks for stopping by. Hugs to Nancy!
I don’t know who’s luckier, you and Helen or Cason (what a cool name)! You got a lot done and provided her and you with memories she’ll have her whole life. Wonderful! Hope your 4th was safe and sane 🇺🇸
Hey there!
Cason is the maiden name of her maternal grandmother and I love it for a first name. She is a joy to be around and loves to read, cook, and play games. We don’t get to see her often enough. Our Fourth was uneventful and hot. Hope yours was fabulous! Great to hear from you! Joe
What a wonderful visit with Carson. I love how Mortimer has made himself conveniently available near the baking activities…and how he was also on hand to check out the pedicures. Great photos and awesome memories!
Hi, Donna,
We enjoyed a splendid time with Cason and miss her greatly. I blog as a substitute for a journal as well as to meet and make far away friends so, this post will preserve a record of a great time. Mortimer is always around when food is involved. He is a curious sort–toenail polish must have drawn him in. Thanks for checking in. Have a great week and please stay in touch. Is it hot up there? Joe
So happy you had the time with your granddaughter ‼️ Special memories ‼️ By the way, I called my mother Bebe! When I was learning to talk, everyone tried to get me to say Mommy or Mama, but I wouldn’t!! She was always Bebe 🤩
Good morning, Ginny,
We had a fabulous time with Cason, especially since she picked the activities. There’s a cute story behind Helen’s nickname. I wanted to be “Big Daddy.” The kids ran with it and I love it. Helen said there was no way she would be “Big Momma” and chose BeBe instead. There’s happiness all around! l always love hearing from you. Joe
Joe, I was smiling even before I read your post – that title says it all. Helen must have been in her glory! Cason is a young lady after my own heart – such a well thought out bucket list! What a treat for BeBe and Big Daddy to share so many fun-filled events with her. I’m sure your mom was delighted to see her, too. And I’ll bet your house was way too quiet after Cason left.
Hello and Good Morning!
Cason is always easy to be around, and having a Camp BeBe Bucket List took a lot of heat off of BeBe and Big Daddy. We just did what we were told. My Mom struggles at times with her memory, but she mentions Cason’s visit daily. Quiet reigns all around now…except when Mortimer’s hungry. Hope your summer is going well. Joe
Joe, ask Helen if I can book a week at BeBe Camp? Carson is at the most tender age and seems like such a sweetheart. I love that she initiated the plan with you guys. You’re making memories that she (and the two of you) will cherish forever.
Once again, I love your photo/journal style of blogging and appreciate the time you devote to taking and displaying meaningful photographs.
Suzanne,
Helen says you’re cleared for landing at Camp BeBe. Please bring Malcolm with you and we’ll show you what East Tennessee has to offer. Cason is a jewel and has somehow avoided that period where aliens invade the body of pre-teens. We made memories (and bread, and brownies…) and had a splendid time. Thanks for the nice comments about my blog. Easin’ Along is a motivator to remain active and keeps my camera from gathering moth balls. Always love hearing from you–have a great week. Joe