Have you ever been asked this question: Are you a beach person or a
mountains person? Well, I’m a both person. I don’t think I would survive if I didn't get to feel the sand in between my toes at least once a year. I also
think that there is no better vacation than a mountain hide-away when the air
is brisk and the leaves are changing.
Which brings me to my topic of the day…My ENTIRE family took a trip to
Gatlinburg a few weeks ago. I’m pretty sure this is the first vacation that we
have all been on since 2011. My parents rented an awesome, secluded cabin
through Parkside Cabin Rentals and I highly recommend you check them out if you’re
planning a trip to the Smokies. Getting to Gatlinburg was an adventure in itself. My brother and his
family, my mom & dad, and I caravanned down south on Friday afternoon. My grandparents weren't too far behind us and they got to the cabin
around dinnertime and Justin arrived not too long after they did.
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| We spent most of our time in Levi's favorite spot -- the swing |
My sister had to work a full day on Friday so she was going to be
driving down late. After we ate dinner, we explored the cabin and hopped in the
hot tub to kick off the weekend, relaxation style. Around 8:00, the phones all
started ringing. My sister’s car had broken down 3 hours north of the cabin and
she was stranded in the middle of Kentucky. It was the worst thing that could
have possibly happened…and it was hysterical. My poor sister had to unpack her
entire car and catch a ride to the nearest truck stop with the tow-truck
driver. I know it's pure evil of us to laugh at her, but she gives you
permission. Mostly because we gave her permission to hold this over our heads
for the next 25 years. If you know my sister, you know she is a softball player
and her bat is one of her prized possessions. She had to make the tough decision
to leave it in the trunk…although we thought it would have been fantastic if
she was sitting in a truck stop with a Vera bag, a coach purse, and a baseball bat in the
middle of the night.
My dad and grandpa were the heroes who rescued her and got her to the
cabin around 3am. My grandma was the lady who woke her up at 4:30 am by making
coffee in the kitchen (did I mention we made her sleep on the couch?). She was
a champ though and it was a good thing because we had big plans for Saturday.
We drove down to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park for a day of
hiking. We started by hiking out to Laural Falls which was gorgeous. Justin and
I hiked down the falls and Peyton and Kevin hiked up the falls. Mom, Dad,
Brittney, and Levi stayed on the trail and splashed in the water.
We took a second hike out to an old schoolhouse which was a little
more offroad. Poor Levi started in the stroller but ended up on Grandpa’s
shoulders because it was so bumpy! I’m pretty sure he had the most fun hiking.
Levi went home with Grandma and Grandpa for an afternoon nap while the
rest of us ventured into Downtown Gatlinburg for a Moonshine tasting at OldSmokey Tennessee Moonshine. We tasted 12 flavors and were more than convinced
to buy a few jars on our way out the door: Two jars of Apple Pie moonshine, one
jar of Pumpkin Pie moonshine, and one jar of moonshine soaked cherries!
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| We are so pretty after a long day of hiking |
Justin & Brittney had to leave on Sunday to go pick up her car and
get back to the real world. The rest of us were in for another day of hiking
and relaxing. We found this cool covered bridge less than a half mile from our
cabin and spent some time playing in the creek. We also spent more time in the
hot tub. I really need a hot tub.
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| Best Buds |
Monday was the last day of our vacation and we all parted ways to head
back to the real world. Here are a few more of my favorite pictures from the trip!
Are you a beach person or a mountains
person?
What are your favorite trails to hike?
Do you have a hot tub that I can come sit
in?
