Yay for Missouri - Craig told me you guys would be here this weekend and Matt is going to be preaching --- I'm going to Oklahoma this weekend so I won't get to see you :( Have a safe trip :)
First of all, a recap of our trip to the Smokies ...
Monday: Drive down, get Chick-Fil-A for dinner, check into and find the cabin.
Tuesday: Hike Laurel Falls (in slipper sneakers ...), go home and take a nap, hit the outlet mall :)
Wednesday: Hike Cucumber Gap (5.5 miles, in sneakers :( ), go home and take a nap, do a little shopping, go to Bible Study
Thursday: Raining in the morning, so no hiking; went to Gatlinburg, went to the Aquarium, walked main street in Gatlinburg. Dinner at the Applewood Grill - YUM apple fritters!
Friday: Hike Hen Wallow Falls trail, Lunch at the cabin, go Christmas shopping, dinner at a steakhouse.
Oh, I'm sorry! When we went with Dan and Summer we had to go twice b/c the first day was really cloudy and we couldn't see anything! There's a picture of me and Summer both wearing blankets! It was funny but we were FREEZING!!! I'm glad the rest of trip was fun though!! We'll be in Joliet this weekend, so see you then! :)
God did a really good job with that part of the country. I always like it when I go through. And, I think I have a "summer" version of one of those pictures. If I can find it, I'll post it. :-)
The cabin looks so cute! I'm glad you had a good time. We got to experience some fall colors when we went to Lost Maples; it was so pretty this year! It's crazy that Thanksgiving is next week; Christmas will be here before we know it. Time goes by so fast.
We did Cucumber Gap when we were there a few weeks ago - we could actually SMELL the cucumbers at one point - it was pretty wild. I loved the hike, though. Part of it was Cucumber Gap and then we hooked up with another trail to come back down, but I can't remember what it was. My brother-in-law was the navigator, so I didn't pay so much attention!
We're home. We had a blast, but I'm glad to be back. I'm pretty worn out, too. I'll try to get pictures up here soon ... along with what we did while we were there. But not tonight ...
I revised my schedule: I think I'll make the drive with Andy and Becky, since they're coming through on Saturday (and that way I don't leave Justin alone for as long). What would y'all like to do whilst resting in STL?
I can't wait to hear about the update from your trip!! :) Did you just stay in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area or did you have time to visit the park at all?
We're starting our third full day here, and I've had a really good time. We spent Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning hiking in the park - saw some very pretty scenery! Tuesday afternoon, we hit the outlet mall and found me some clothes that fit - something that's been in short supply since the pregnancy. :) Yesterday afternoon, we just kinda lazed around, then went to Bible study.
Today, we're going into Gatlinburg for the day. Gatlinburg is what I envisioned this area to look like - a walkable, touristy town. Matt said last night that Sevierville/Pigeon Forge looks like a G-rated Vegas - lots of lights and neon, etc. I'm excited about Gatlinburg, though.
Tuesday evening, we went to Walmart to get some groceries for some of our meals this week. The prettiest thing I've seen since we got here ...
I agree with Matt about Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. I didn't know they had BB in Gatlinburg! Dan will be so upset to know that we didn't get any the last two years that we've been there!
I don't like Ice cream and really don't care for gatlingburg. (this is not meant as a commentary on what you like however,) There are just too many people for me whenever we've gone. I like think deep woods and NO people except family -and even then the company will start to irk me after a few days.
I agree about Pigion Forge being like a G-rated Vegas. :) It's just not our kind of thing really, so we avoid the place. Some people really like it though apparently. Now Gatlinburg we love going to! It's more classy and enjoyable to me. And hiking in the mountains is our favorite part! Glad you're having fun!!
It's gorgeous, I think. It was dark by the time we got here, so I haven't actually seen anything yet. But judging by the STEEP roads in this neighborhood, I'm guessing it's gorgeous. :) We had to turn around several times trying to find our cabin in the dark. It was lots of fun ... not really.
But we're here. Uneventful trip, thankfully. We ate turkey sandwiches for lunch on the way down, then stopped at Chik-fil-a for dinner!!! :) Hooray!! We're going out to breakfast in the morning, then over to the national park. We'll walk for a little while over there, and then stop by walmart on our way back to the cabin to pick up breakfast and lunch material. Yay! :)
I've already started taking pictures, but I'll wait till we get back, and post them all at once. It's nice, though. I like the cabin a lot - it's very cute. :)
I'm being implored to put the computer down and cuddle instead ... and the implorer is awfully cute, so I guess I'd better go cuddle and watch TV. More later! :)
Not sure where you went, but if it is near Cades Cove I am green with envy. And Chick-Fil-A too!! Doesn't get much better than that. FYI Josh and I both used to work at a CFA in Texas and Ohio. I wish they would get one around here.
