The Great Smokey Mountains
We dropped the RV off in Gallitin Tennessee, North of Nashville, at our friend's house. Joe and Amie have a large lot and huge hearts to let us camp with them for while. We spent a couple nights before abandoning the RV for week of luxury in a log cabin in Gatinburg Tennessee with our San Diego neighbors Jordan and Annie and their three kids, Noah, Stella and Fiona. We hit the Smoky Mountains at the peak fall color changes to the trees and were awe inspired by its beauty. Erica has always loved the fall season and we have never had the opportunity to live a true midwestern Autumn with the kids. They now have this experience since we have spent the last 6 weeks in the Northeast.
We spent our mornings everyday relaxing at the cabin. I made it my daily morning exercise to climb into my swimsuit and relax in the porch jacuzzi, with the kids and Jordan joining many times. We were able to share with our good friends and it brought us comfort to have them out on the road with us for a short time. Back home in California, this family became a daily friendship that Erica and Annie began as they walked the kids to school and back everyday. The kids are like siblings these days. They enjoyed playing like the old times when they only needed cross the street to hang out together. They played on the pool table and video game console and kept up their card playing with their favorite games, War and Family.
We made multiple trips into Smokey Mountain National Park.
We hiked a three mile trek to Laurel Falls our second day together.
We hiked another three mile trek to Grotto Falls a few days later.
We spent one afternoon in downtown Gatlinburg visiting the tourist shops and attractions. We only needed on day to do this and never found ourselves back on the strip which was fine with all of us.
Midweek, with Blythe not feeling well, Erica stayed and relaxed in the cabin while the rest of us spent a rainy day drive deep into the National Park to Cade's Cove. This is the Appalachia homestead of early settlers in the region and we were able to freely tour the old homes and churches here. There is an old flour mill that still cranks out sacks full of pure flour which is sold onsite. We also enjoyed watching the work horse churn sugarcane which is melted into sorgum and is also sold on site.
On Thursday we spent the afternoon in Pigeon Forge where we toured the Titanic Museum per Noah's request. He has become quite the expert on this shipwreck and all the kids stayed engaged in the interactive experience. We climbed the grand staircase and touched a real iceburg and frigid water they have added to give perspective to the passengers real life drama. We headed to Dolly Parton's Stampede for dinner and a show. The kids had been to the show in Branson when they were too young to remember it so we had to take them back to one of our favorite shows. The highlight of the evening was Stella and Fiona's participation in the chicken races.
We couldn't have been more at ease cohabiting for a full week together. Despite some really late nights spent laughing and talking followed by really early mornings awakened by the kids, we allowed ourselves to spend time relaxing in the comfort of the little "Geaux Bear Naked" (only Fiona did this:) cabin on the mountainside rather than spend everyday on the go.
Thankful for our friends!
Peace and Love