We began the journey with a short stop in Indianapolis to see
Mark and Tammy - we celebrated Michael’s birthday and trudged through 6 inches
of snow! It was crazy!
The next morning we headed out to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. What a place Gatlinburg is! This was by far the most populated park we have ever been to. Tons of attractions, restaurants, and people to see.
We checked into our hotel and hit the pool, the kids had a blast. At dinner we celebrated MPGS badly (the actual day) and the whole Restaurant wished him HBD. It was very kind.
The next morning we headed out to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. What a place Gatlinburg is! This was by far the most populated park we have ever been to. Tons of attractions, restaurants, and people to see.
We checked into our hotel and hit the pool, the kids had a blast. At dinner we celebrated MPGS badly (the actual day) and the whole Restaurant wished him HBD. It was very kind.
The next morning we headed out to the park to take our first
hike. Lorel falls is a 3 mile hike to a beautiful waterfall overlooking a
steep rock incline. We widened through trail and kept our eyes out for bears as
there had been many sightings!
After the hike we had some lunch and made out way to the Newfound Gap. Since we ventured to the park in the spring a few of the areas were closed, but not Newfound Gap and the application trail. We stood and viewed North Carolina and Tennessee in one view and then headed up the Appalachian Trail. We hiked about 2 miles and then headed back, there was. No way would we finish the 1900 miles hike to Maine!
After the hike we had some lunch and made out way to the Newfound Gap. Since we ventured to the park in the spring a few of the areas were closed, but not Newfound Gap and the application trail. We stood and viewed North Carolina and Tennessee in one view and then headed up the Appalachian Trail. We hiked about 2 miles and then headed back, there was. No way would we finish the 1900 miles hike to Maine!
We drove the rest of the loop road and took in the sights,
smells and thoughts of spring in the smokiest. It was spectacular. Back at the
hotel we enjoyed some relaxation and swimming. We headed out to downtown Gatlinburg
and checked out some of the local shopping. Its quite and interesting town, to say the least.
The next morning we were up and early to get in one more hike before we headed out of the park. We decided to make the trek to Rainbow falls. This hike was a bit treacherous, 2.8 miles up and some steep rock spots. The kids were amazing they took in the animals and the scenery and we played 20 questions to keep our heads on the trail.
The next morning we were up and early to get in one more hike before we headed out of the park. We decided to make the trek to Rainbow falls. This hike was a bit treacherous, 2.8 miles up and some steep rock spots. The kids were amazing they took in the animals and the scenery and we played 20 questions to keep our heads on the trail.
We made it up the steep mountainside, it brought to us a magnificent
waterfalls. The highest in the park to be exact. We sat for a while had some
snacks and took in the sights and felt good about what we had accomplished. We
headed back to down the trail all the while encouraging the other hikers who we
passed on our way down. 2 days and 17 miles of hiking we had done it! I was so proud of
the kids, they really put for the effort and seemed to be genuinely proud of their
accomplishment. We got in the car bid farewell to the park and headed to
Asheville.
The kids passed out on the 2 hour drive, Tony and I chatted and
took in the mounting views, what a beautiful drive to Asheville. When we
arrived, I couldn't believe town is in the middle such a red state. We had
dinner at a local brewery and met a couple from Pennsylvania who were
passing through while going to visit their older children. The
people are so open caring and genuinely happy! The beer is magnificent and the
food was even better! We visited the Biltmore, the Vanderbilt estate, it was
really beautiful The kids loved the tour and the gardens, we walked as much as
we could as tony and I were having a hard time moving around after all that
hiking. The kids on the other had were just fine, ages is catching up with us!
 |
| Penny takes a picture! Good job! |
We headed out the Sierra Nevada brewing company, and had a few
beers while we learned how they get all the hops into their beer! The kids
thought the place smelled but enjoyed the food and assembly lines. Back to the
hotel for swimming and then out to eat in downtown Asheville.
We picked another local brewery where we met the happiest 10 old men I have ever seen. They had made Asheville their home and couldn't be happier about being a part of the city. They embraced it all. We ended the evening with some local ice cream and then off to bed.
We picked another local brewery where we met the happiest 10 old men I have ever seen. They had made Asheville their home and couldn't be happier about being a part of the city. They embraced it all. We ended the evening with some local ice cream and then off to bed.
The next morning we began our trek home, stopping at the Kentucky
horse park. - My hope to show Penny the beauty of horses, (maybe she will want
to ride!) The horse park is such a beautiful place, from Man or War to Secretariat
their stories resonate triumph!
We toured the park and then made it back to our hotel for pool time and to wind down with thoughts of Arlington Heights. The last leg home is always the longest!
We toured the park and then made it back to our hotel for pool time and to wind down with thoughts of Arlington Heights. The last leg home is always the longest!
 |
| Magnificent Belgian |
These journeys are everlasting for Tony and I. I hope the
kiddos can look back at these memories (or this blog) and reflect on the fun
times we have shared, and as always there is much more than corn to this
beautiful nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment