After this conversation, we tossed out ideas for a few days and I mentioned closer beaches and different things, but that wasn't what he was thinking. So, when he said, "Gatlinburg" I found myself changing my tune very quickly. We love the mountains! I knew they had a strip with fun things to do with different attractions, I knew the Smoky Mountains National Park was there, and I knew about Cades Cove. We visited Pigeon Forge last year and enjoyed that, but we were missing the mountain aspect. I knew this adventure would be perfect!
After talking with Ethan, because I knew Colin would be 100% up for it that boy loves road trips, I knew I had to get some plans in place. Ethan, like is dad, was wanting to get out of Ohio, too. Immediately though, I felt overwhelmed, because I knew June was out and July, we had 1 week that we could pull it off. Oh, sweet baby Jesus, please help me find a hotel!
Well, I found a place! It wasn't a 5 star hotel or anything, but it was newly renovated after the fires a few years ago and with us wanting to be in Tennessee in a matter of 3 weeks, I booked it! I wasn't sold 100% and I did continue to look, but we felt it was necessary to just stick with it. So, we did, and last Saturday we were off!
Something about this trip, from the get-go, just felt different. We were all excited and ready to get there........
Preparing...
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| He was not happy I took his movies for the car, LOL! |
And we're off...
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| Breakfast stop |
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| Daddy got a new co-pilot...lol |
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| Hello Tennessee |
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| We made it! |
We checked in and were excited to start exploring the strip....
On Sunday, we were so excited to be there and were up early ready to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains National Park. We packed up the backpack and started walking. Our hotel was literally within walking distance from the strip and we loved that, so we headed on our way. However, as we were walking, we realized that the park was at the END of the strip, but we tackled the walk and made it.....
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| Yes, all the way down there! Oh boy!! |
After we spent the morning in the forest (it was so much fun to literally sit on a rock and watch my guys enjoy nature, laughing, and playing in the river), we started heading back. For someone who wanted to stay home this summer, I was truly enjoying the moment and taking it all in. Turns out, I needed this too! Anyway, on our trek back to the hotel, we were hungry and thought stopping halfway to get some lunch would be good. So, we decided on a fun place and something we've never experienced before with our boys and that was Dick's Last Resort. Now, I had to prepare my kind-hearted, loving son by letting him know this place is a place where they are paid to be rude. I wish I would've gotten a pic of his face, because it was priceless. He asked me several times, "Mom, are you sure you want to eat at a place like this?" After some reassurance of it all being in the name of fun, he was good to go. I think it helped that the restaurant was VERY understanding with Colin and allowed us to bring in McD's for him, that Ethan really opened up to the idea of the place. Now, will he return, probably not.☺...
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| He did GREAT! It did get a bit loud, but he made it until I finished eating and then we headed outside |
Anyway, after lunch, we finished our walk and relaxed for a bit in the room. Colin needs breaks and to be honest, so does mommy.☺ However, after we all took a nap, Brenton and Ethan decided they wanted to head back to the strip and Colin wanted to "stay home" and that's what him and I did, while my big boys headed out......
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| he loved these rockers |
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| he was so happy that Lion King was on |
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| having fun with daddy |
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| Daddy's turn |
We decided, when we arrived, Monday would be our day to hop in the car and head to Cades Cove. From looking at the forecast, there was no chance of rain that day, so we knew it would be the best day. This, by far, is what Brenton had been waiting on. He talked about this place over and over, while we were prepping for this trip, so it was by no surprise that he was up and ready to go. Another day, we all were ready to go early and off we went to explore....
We had so much fun at Cades Cove exploring the different homesteads, learning some history, and simply taking in the beautiful scenery that was all around us. It was spectacular, however, it was a long morning and, as much as, Colin was being a trooper & loving it all he was tired by the end. He was so tired, he stayed in the car with Ethan when Brenton and I went inside the gift shop to get some drinks. So, we headed back to the hotel to let him unwind and chill out. Yet again though, we found, we all were exhausted and took a little nap. Man, it was so nice to just be on our own timetable and just let things happen as they did. It was so relaxing!
That evening, Colin still just wanted to "stay home" and I jumped on the chance to stay back with him, because my stomach was still a bit queasy from the drive to get to Cades Cove that I just wanted to take a hot shower & chill at the hotel. So, Brenton and Ethan headed off to the strip to get some dinner and enjoy the arcade....
Tuesday, our last full day, at the mountains and I woke up a year older, as well. The big 4-0 to boot! Yikes, 40, how in the world did I get this old already....lol! I'm not one of those people who freak out or anything, it's just comical to think I'm at the age I used to think was old when I was a kid. LOL! It was cute and meant alot when I woke up though, because my guys surprised me with gifts, cards, and a cupcake. So sweet!
Anyway, after a little celebration, we decided to spend our last day in the Smoky Mountains National Park again (the boys absolutely LOVED it & asked to go back), but this time we headed to the visitor center to begin our trek. It was a neat place to start, because when we got there we saw there was a cabin on one of the trails & falls on the other. So, we were excited to get started! It was so peaceful and serene in the woods. I'm not sure why, but it just calmed your soul and I really loved the fact that we were all in our element making memories together! It just was a really great day! When we made it back to the center, the crowd was there and there were people everywhere. OMG, the place was like bee's swarming at their hive. It was crazy! However, we discovered that our excitement worked in our favor this whole trip, because we were up early and ready to get moving that we missed the crowds, the heat, and were able to explore without feeling rushed. So, that little piece of knowledge is banked in our brain for when we return...
That evening, it was my turn to spend time with Ethan at the strip. He specifically asked to spend some alone time with just me and I was so excited to get the time with him, as well. We headed to the strip to do some shopping and get ice cream at our favorite place....Kilwin's. This is a staple for us in Sarasota, so to find one in Gatlinburg was a real treat. We had a fun evening together! So much so, that we were in the moment and didn't snap 1 picture of ourselves. LOL! We just walked, talked, and bought some souvenirs for everyone. In one of the shops, he found his very 1st pocket knife that even had his name on it, so he was in heaven. However, I was a little taken back, because where did the little boy who always walked away with a new "toy" as a souvenir go? Yet, here I stood watching him get a pocket knife! UGH!! Time does fly by that's for sure! He was so excited to get back to show his dad, so we headed back with ice cream for us all. We enjoyed our last evening, on the rockers, together reminiscing about this amazing trip! Turns out, last minute adventures are truly blessings in disguise! It was such a great "birth" day and one I will remember forever...
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| goodnight Tennessee, see you again next year |
As much fun as we had, we were all ready to head back home on Wednesday, pickup Katee and all be under 1 roof again. It was such a fun getaway, a shorter trip than we usually take, but it was absolutely perfect. It was just the right amount of time, in the perfect place to rejuvenate our souls! We did way more exploring on this trip, were up early every day, and walked until we dropped BUT it felt like we truly relaxed more than ever before. I'm not sure why that is, but looking back, I think nature is just what we all needed at this moment in our lives. I'm guessing that each and every one of us needed to get in the woods, breath in some mountain air, play in the river, sit on some rocks, and get a little dirt on our shoes for us to just release all the stressors we each had going on. We all left Gatlinburg refreshed, rejuvenated, and excited to plan another trip back soon!
As we were leaving the mountains, we looked up and saw a rainbow. We all looked at each other and smiled, knowing it was our sign that brought a proper ending to a truly magical trip!
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