Wednesday morning we began our day with Dad's pancakes - they're always a great way to start a day! Our vacation routine is to begin the day with a hearty breakfast, pack snacks for lunch and throughout the day, and end with supper together in the evening. It works for us!
We set out to do more hiking after breakfast on Wednesday. We started with a trail that led to Laurel falls.
by looking at all the pictures of peoples backs while hiking, you can probably guess who brought up the rear of our hiking caravan :).
made it!
a beautiful view on the hike
After getting back from Laurel falls, we traveled to a second hike called Andrews Bald. Even the parking lot view for this trail was gorgeously breathtaking.
However, the view wasn't the only thing breathtaking about the parking lot and visitors center. The stench caused by the sewer truck cleaning out the park restrooms was also very much breathtaking. ahem.
this trail was downhill for a good portion of the way there... I think I'd rather go uphill first and have downhill to look forward to. Because as you know, what goes down, must come up...
The destination on this trail was stunning and so, ever so peaceful. It was worth the uphill trek back :)
We left Smoky Mountain park early afternoon on Wednesday in order to get back to the cabin in decent time. We enjoyed attending the Dixie Stampede that evening for the first time!
watching the preshow
It was great family entertainment and good food!
Before heading back to our cabin for the night, we decided to make a stop at the Island in Pigeon Forge. Some friends told us about the dancing water show and so we stopped to check it out!
It was neat to watch and the atmosphere on the Island was fun to be a part of!
On Thursday, we took a little break from our hiking adventures and spent the morning at Ober Gatlinburg. We envisioned it being like the time we spent at Winter Park in Colorado where we did the alpine slide and had the time of our lives. It wasn't quite as thrilling this time - perhaps it's the difference in the park or the fact that families really do grow up a lot within three years. I'm not sure which :). It was still a great place to spend the morning together, though! And of course, that perfect fall weather makes everything better!!
every vacation needs a game of mini golf.
oh and Mom wanted to make sure I added that she made the last one #18 with a hole in one!!!! We were all pretty proud of her :). In fact, it was such an impressive feat (something apparently not many people can do) that she received a prize for it!
riding the ski lift up to the slide!
one of the times we took the ski lift all the way to the top where there were stunning views and a little music group playing and singing!
Thursday afternoon we headed back to our cabin for lunch (we violated our typical vacation meal plans for this day because we had so many leftovers in our cabin fridge! So leftovers for lunch it was - everyone's favorite :)). Then, after lunch we trekked into Pigeon Forge for some shopping. That city is bustling with things to do and places to shop! Mom and the girls filled our afternoon at the outlet mall while Dad and the boys spent time at a boot store. We met up around supper time and enjoyed another evening together in our cabin after a few of us made a trip to the Island again for a first time adventure - a Ferris Wheel Ride!
Friday was our last day in our cabin. We again traveled to Smoky Mountain National Park. This time we all put on good clothes that coordinated and tried our hand at getting some family pictures.
eek.. too much sun! I will only ever complain about the sun for ruining pictures, however :).
Friday afternoon we made the family made an executive decision to ditch our plans for another trail hike and instead park along the main road and explore the creek bed down below. It was pretty much the best decision ever :).
We spent a couple of hours that beautiful afternoon just jumping from rock to rock as we walked up the creek bed. The sun, water, rocks and leaves made for a picture of beauty I can't explain in words.
nice face, Jared. I promise he enjoyed it more than he showed for the picture.
one last little trail...
one last overlook...
And that was it. It was time to say goodbye. But this is where one of my favorite overused quotes comes into play: "Instead of being sad that it's over, smile that it happened."
We packed up Saturday morning and traveled to Nashville where we spent some time relaxing and swimming (in the outdoor pool of all things - I think the hotel maintenance guy thought we were a little interesting to want to be swimming outdoors in October. Actually, he was a little preoccupied when we wanted to swim so with permission from the guy at the front desk, we climbed the fence :). So yeah, maybe he has reason to think we are a little interesting. Oh well, he's not the first, and he probably won't be the last.)
We spent the evening at a park with some friends from Nashville!
Sunday we enjoyed going to Nashville church before it was time to head home. And then, Monday morning: back to reality. Enough said.
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Till next time!
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