Lake Winnie Family Trip- Third Annual Summer Vacation

Today we had one of the best days ever!! It all started yesterday with a canceled eye doctor appointment. The kids knew we had stuff to do and the doctor appointment was two hours away. We told them to pack an overnight bag and just comfortable clothes that we were going to get a motel room for the night so we could go swimming and relax.

The appointment got canceled so they were bummed out but we said, it's okay the room is booked, we're going to ride out anyway. So we did. They knew the appointment was in Georgia, we had some serious fibbing to do to get this awesome surprise to work.




We made our first stop at my sister's house to pick up my niece. She is our road buddy, just one of the crew it wouldn't be right to go swimming without her. So, loaded up and hitting the highway the observant little munchkins asked why we were in Tennessee instead of Georgia, we were ready for that, We took a long way around since we headed out from Aunt Jaimes instead of our house, It Worked!

We headed out to Chattanooga. It was a two-hour ride of 20 questions (or 500 questions, I lost count). My sister called and I didn't realize I was talking loud and as soon as I got off the phone the second round of questions came in, what tickets, you get tickets for all kinds of places?? So, not being prepared for that one I said well, it was for the movies but since you guessed, we're not going there, we'll have to think of something else. After some giggles and chatter, a quiet soft voice said: "Did I really ruin the good surprise?" I felt like the biggest meany in the world, they never care what I say, of course now would be the time that started!!

With the most consoling voice I had, I said NO WAY, I just didn't want you to guess it so I was trying to trick you into thinking you guessed it so, we would have an even more exciting surprise tomorrow but, that didn't work!! Who wants to stop off for a snack, that fixed it. As parents, you know those foot in your mouth situations.That was a two foot in, moment.





It was a long ride but, we made it.They were just super stoked to be there, We got unloaded, settled in, in record timing I may add, and the glorious words they were waiting to hear- Get your swimming suits on! Another record was broken, 4 kids, 4 suits, 4 towels in hand, no fighting and ready to go in less than 5 minutes.

These guys swam until dark, how do they have the energy for that. I was hoping they would wear themselves out and sleep like little babies. I was was right for the most part just didn't have the desired outcome. They were worn out and nitpicked each other until the last one crashed about 2am.


The place we stayed at had a huge breakfast and an elegant outside patio where they ate. All the basic needs were met, it was time to get the day going and have some family fun!

They wanted to know where we were going so bad and we were about to bust since we had been holding it so long. I get so excited it's hard for me to keep the secret destination! So, we tried to give them clues that they would guess with little thought. We laughed so hard at some of their guesses.

They had to make us repeat it over and over before they went into the other room to discuss it and come back all together to let us know their guesses. There were 2 riddles for the two words.

#1- It's not a river it's a ...

#2- He carries around a pot of honey and his best friend is Eeyore.

The first answer they got right away- Lake.

The second one which we thought would be so easy considering they all LOVED Disney shows when they were little. But nothing. That tuned into the game, hints for that hint.

It took almost 20 minutes to figure it out. They knew the first word was "Lake" and the still guessed stuff like go-carts, golfing, school clothes shopping, Mexican restaurant. These guys crack me up so bad!!

When they finally got it, LAKE WINNIE- they were squealing elbows locked at their sides hands flapping up and down.They love that place, This is the third summer in a row that we got to go.

We knew the park opened at 10 so we left our rooms about 9:15, I had to get them in the car and on the road, I couldn't handle hearing one more time "What time are we leaving?". We had to stop off for sunscreen and hair bows, and a quick box of band-aids. I learned a very long time ago with this crew, bring bandages. It's better to have a stash and not need them than to not have them and need them.

We took the scenic ride around and passed the Welcome to Tennessee and the Welcome to Georgia signs a few times, Oh the joys oh harassing the kids, they get me all the time. After the near-all-nighter, this was totally worth it. At one point one of them thought we were heading home because they were up too late and neither Aron or I said it out loud as a threat. It was AWESOME!!

They were all freaking out so bad because, on the Google search, it kept showing that Lake Winnie was closed today. Everything was working out pretty good. We tricked them for the family trip, let them know where we were heading and they thought it was closed so we were going home. Could this be any better!

Well, Wally World, The Groves-walds are coming. We got to the entrance and there were cars in the parking lot! All Systems A Go!! The kids were cheering and we pulled in.

We got everything out of the car and ready to head in. The wheelchair bag was packed, The towels and suits were packed in their bag and everyone was ready to play!! When we got to the gate, our contact was there with our passes and goodies!! It was awesome. We felt so welcomed and she accepted our invitation for our family picture. That's so cool.





All of the kids were so excited over how nice she was. They even pointed her out when she was walking through the park awhile later. After that, she passed by and asked if we were having fun, Yes we were having fun! We were at Lake Winnie!!!!

From a visitor point of view, it is awesome when the trip feels so personalized. I absolutely love the hospitality there. This is a great place for a family day. Lake Winnie offers free WiFi for those of you that didn't know. Your password is on your admittance receipt. That way they treat us every time we come, I love making Lake Winnie a part of our family trip.

Here is some of the fun stuff we did while we were there.

Cooling off in the kiddie water park.



Playing games. Everyone is a winner!!


A quick pose before hopping in their car!



Skylift and Caterpillar Rollercoaster.


Lake Winnie History 



Mom & Dad & the kiddo's




I was so bummed out when I realized we didn't get any water park pictures. I'm going to try to get a waterproof case for this trip, it was so much fun!!

We had such an amazing time and I would like to give a special thank you to Talley, and Lake Winnie and Soakya Waterpark for inviting our family on this great adventure. We hope to be with you guys next summer.


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Lake Winnie
1730 Lakeview Drive
Rossville, GA 30741


**UPDATE**
Check out all 4 of our family's trips to Lake Winnie- 

2015 Lake Winnie Trip
2016 Lake Winnie Trip
2017 Lake Winnie Trip
2018 Lake Winnie Trip

65 comments

  1. I am from Chattanooga and Lake Winnie is my favorite place of all times, Love it

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  2. It looks like you guys had an amazing time! What a great family trip.

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  3. This sounded like a super fun trip.

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  4. Looks like all of you had a great time. It is nice to get away once and a while to have fun and do something different.

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  5. This looks like everyone had a fabulous time. I will have to check this place out and perhaps visit here, as I have been looking for a great spot to take my family for a vacation.

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  6. Sounds like you had a great family vacation.

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  7. Looks like everyone enjoyed the time together. I was unfamiliar with Lake Winnie and it looks like a nice place to visit.

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  8. Lake Winnie looks like an awesome place. Wonderful family trip. Never go anywhere that doesn't have free wi-fi

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  9. That looks like a fun place to be. We'll have to check it out for ourselves. Thank you for sharing!

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  10. Looks like you guys had alot of fun with this vavation. I seriously can't wait to start my own family.

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  11. What a place to visit. Hard to tells who had more fun - you or the kids!

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  12. Wow, what a great family. It looks like a good time there. Thanks for posting!

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  13. Great family bonding time to be had. I like this as its outdoor

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  14. This sounds like an amazing trip. I need one.

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  15. You explained the trip so well that I thought I was there with you! I absolutely love Tennessee! We go and visit my friends in Seiverville. Great idea tricking them and using the riddles for Lake Winnie! I pinned your trip. This is your 3rd annual trip with your family. So you and hubby are making awesome family memories that your children will remember the rest of their lives! 👍👍 up!

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  16. It looks like everyone had a great time! Thanks for posting!

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  17. Wow!!! It seems you all have so much fun on vacation. It's great they all get along and there's no fighting. We havent bn kn vacation since r house fire which was 2014 so we r what overdue.

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  18. It sounds like you pulled off a good surprise for your family Rosanne

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  19. I wish I could have gone with you all! Thanks for posting!

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  20. How do you keep track of all those kids, lol. Thanks for posting!

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  21. I haven't been in a pool in decades. Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for posting!

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  22. What a fun trip!!! Family outings are the best.

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  23. Seeing these photos makes me want to go on vacation with my family. Thanks for posting!

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  24. Sounds like your family had a great time

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  25. Nice destination for a family outing, very nice outdoors journey

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  26. That looks like so much fun! Glad you had a great time :)

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  27. Those stuffed toys are huge. Thanks for posting!

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  28. I miss long family road trips.

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  29. The girls look like they are having so much fun Rosanne

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  30. It's hard to surprise your children when they can read road signs, lol. Thanks for posting!

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  31. I remember being so excited when I was a kid to get to stay in a motel with a pool. Those were the days. Thanks for posting!

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  32. Looks like so much fun! Making lots of memories! :)

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  33. You look like a happy family.

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  34. It looks like you had an awesome time. I'd love to go there one day.

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  35. I envy your niece who gets to be your road buddy. Sounds like a fun family. Thanks for posting!

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  36. LOL, if I had a nickel for each time my daughter asked 'when will we get there?' on road trips...Thanks for posting!

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  37. You should have told them they were tickets to the opera, lol. Thanks for posting!

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  38. That park looks like real fun.

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  39. One of those good, old fashioned type places that I loved so much as a kid. They don't have very many of those around anymore!

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  40. i would love to take my family we havent been on a vacation in 10 years

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  41. Thank you for posting ❗️❗️❤️

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  42. I'm glad you're kids had a great time. Thanks for posting!

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  43. Looks like the whole family is having a great time. I remember the days when we raised our kids.

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  44. I remember the trips the most when I was a child. I think it is great that you include your niece! We used to take a friend or two of our kids or a family member. The more the merrier!

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  45. Summer Family Vacations are what memories are made from! I would love to live them all again!

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  46. What a fun place for families to spend time together during the summer!

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  47. Looks like so much fun!!

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  48. That whole trip looked like a blast. It makes me want to be a blogger more. Who knows maybe I will pursue that....

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  49. I love those "ski lift" rides. Thanks for posting!

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  50. Sounds like you had a great family vacation.

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  51. Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for posting!

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  52. Lake Winnie looks like an awesome place.

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  53. I am glad your family had a wonderful time. The kids have a great memory.

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  54. Looks like a great family get away!!

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  55. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  56. What a wonderful trip! Glad you had so much fun:)

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  57. The history section is my favourite! I'll definitely have to visit some day when my kids are older!!

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  58. This looks like a lot of fun. We love spending time at the lake in the Summer.

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  59. Oh this sounds like an amazing place for families! I will have to keep this in mind when traveling.

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  60. The kids looks like the hhad a wonderful time.Thank you for sharing you fun trip.

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