Dollywood and the Brave Sirs Butch and Bubba!

Today Bubba, Butch and I took a trip to Dollywood with six friends. After a recent school trip, which resulted in a less than exciting list of rides of which we could participate, we had a much more enjoyable time today. On the school trip my older son, Bubba, and I had measured to see if he and his younger brother would be able to ride several rides. Today we got to ride most that had eluded us last time. The first ride was the Blazing Fury! This has always been one of my personal favorites. It has never been one of the biggest, fastest, etc., but I had always enjoyed the funny little scenes that were created. This was a ride that both Bubba and Butch would be able to ride. Butch was a little scared at first and he said that he did not want to ride a roller coaster. I convinced him that it was a small one and he would be with me. He seemed to be okay with the try it once motto, so we got in line. The entire time I am reassuring him about the ride, but when we got into the car he wrapped his little arms around my waist and was hanging on to me for dear life! It was cute and funny at the same time. He was not sure if he would like it, but he was going to give it ONE try! He was a great little trooper, though he did say after it was over that he would not ride this one again until he is nine. Next we went to Daredevil Falls, which to those familiar with Dollywood (or Silver Dollar City) is the replacement for the Log Flume (and is located where the Flooded Mine, another favorite of mine, was for many years). This ride really scared Butch, though Bubba was really eager to ride. The first time we went to the front of the line Butch was crying so they would not let us on the ride. I tried for a while to calm him and finally he was calm enough to ride. He was still scared, but he was a brave boy and rode with me (albeit hanging on for dear life again as well as eyes shut the whole time!). After getting off this ride and about 30 minutes later he was talking about how he had ridden these rides and was very proud of himself. It was so hilarious! After that he no longer was upset when we mentioned rides. Butch had also mentioned that he did not desire to ride anything that would get him wet. Well, I guess after the Blazing Fury (which got us a little wet) and Daredevil Falls (which soaked us, though not from the drop at the end), he got over that! We went on the River Rampage next. Bubba got drenched in the last little bit of the ride, where previously he had barely received any of the water absorption with which the other five passengers were blessed. His face was absolutely priceless! If we had that picture taken I would have defiantly bought it for future reference! We rode a few other rides like: the old fifty's cars (where Butch showed off his driving abilities), the Carousel, Dollywood Express, and the Amazing Flying Elephants. The boys and I also went to the Dreamland Forest to play in the "bee hive", where we played with the air cannons, before our last ride of the day. The last ride (with just me and my two brave boys) was once more on the Blazing Fury! Bubba had to ride by himself this time (without someone in the same seat) and Butch braved it with me. They were still talking about the Blazing Fury and Daredevil Falls after we got to the car and also after we returned home! I had also been able to enjoy some of the other roller coasters around the park (Tennessee Tornado and the newer Thunderhead), which the boys would not ride. The Thunderhead was great! It is made of wood and lasts longer than the short Tennessee Tornado. It has no loops, but it is one of the top rated wooden roller coaster in the US. All in all I believe we all had a fun day today. I know I did with my boys!