Adventures galore today! Really, really, great day.
THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS
We started out with a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which is right next to where we are staying (so awesome). I freaking love national parks and being out in wilderness… even if we had to drive.
The drive up the through the mountains was really cool. There were a ton of beautiful spots and stopoffs where we stopped and got out and took pictures.
We even went through a few tunnels on the drive – which I LOVE!
And then we got to the overlook at the top of the mountain, which was freaking awesome. One of the reasons why I love snowboarding is the feeling I have when I am on top of a mountain looking out. This might not be as cool because there is no snowboarding afterwards, but the views were still very impressive.
I was clearly excited to be there… Wooooohoooo!
THE WALKING, LOTS AND LOTS OF WALKING
We wanted this vacation to be an active one, as much as possible, so we’ve done a lot of walking today. We walked up and down the strip in Gatlinburg and wandered around quite a bit. But my favorite walk was the little half mile trail we walked in the national park.
It was cute at first but it turned out there were OBSTACLES! Who knew we would be climbing over things too?
But in the end the trail went around a nice little river.
Nice walk, right? We thought so and hopefully will do another trail tomorrow despite the snow that is falling tonight. It will be gorgeous out here tomorrow with fresh snow on the ground. I can’t wait to see that and to hopefully walk some more. I love walking in new places where there are new things to see. It’s just the walking for exercise at home that I find boring. Today we knocked out almost 5 miles no problem. It was even fun!
The food bit of the day went like this: super sugary pastry filled breakfast, turkey 6″ sub for lunch with sun chips, and then a chinese buffet experience with lots of crab wontons for dinner (delish!). I also bought some fudge while we were in town today to see what all the fuss was about and I’ve eaten two pieces. Don’t think it is all that great. They seem to be obsessed with fudge and pancakes out here. Anyone know why?
Today was awesome and the next couple days we are here will be too. I envision more walking, some outlet shopping, and maybe some more unknown fun things. But definitely more relaxation. Including a bubble bath which I am about to go make happen. Perfect end to a really good exercise filled vacation day.
{ 25 comments }
the drive around Cade’s Cove is beautiful. A lot of old houses and churches. It’s down in the valley behind the Sugarland’s visitor’s center. It would be a safe drive in case roads are bad in the mountains.
I love Gatlinburg. If you like outdoor stores, you have to go to the Happy Hiker (on the park side of town…off a side street on the same side of the road and close to Ober Gatlinburg). I think it’s the whole reason my husband will agree to visit Gatlinburg.
Oh! And there’s a really nice Celtic store downtown – back in the shopping center behind the Pancake House. But don’t go in the Donut Friar. You won’t be able to leave without a donut. But the mugs are really fun.
And there are so many nice indoor mini-golf courses if the weather gets really bad…
I obviously need to go back, eh?
Glad you’re having a great trip! Hope the weather cooperates!
Thanks for that Krissie! We will totally check it out because that sounds like a really pretty drive!
We went in the Donut Friar because my mom likes coffee… I almost died in there it smelled so good. But I didn’t get a donut!
Try the fudge pancakes! They’re awesome!
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That looks COLD!! I love state parks though, havent been to one since hmm yrs and yrs and yrs. It looks like New England! I’m with you on the walking new places is soo much more fun than just the same boring old route. The trail looks cool with the stream and the things to climb over..very interactive! :) I am not a fudge fan. Pancakes tho mmm..
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It was/is super cold. But I’m getting used to dealing with it. It definitely reminds me of New England, especially some of the trails we have been walking.
haha this whole post made me think of my high school.. it was Mountain View High School :) beautiful pics though.
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It looks really beautiful and you look like you’re having a great time!
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That looks so amazing! Gatlinburg looks like a beautiful place. I’d really like to visit it sometime.
And NC borders TN? Sweet!
Glad you and your mom had fun!
It does! It also borders Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. :) You should definitely come visit!
The pictures of your nature walk are beautiful and make me wish I was there.
I am sooo jealous. What an absolutely gorgeous place!!!!!! My dream place to live is TN…I am so glad you got to go and it looks like you had a GREAT time! Wow!!
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I love your pictures! It looks like such a fabulous trip!
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Oh that looks amazing! Perfectly idyllic!
gorgeous pictures! and good for you for keeping your vacay active!
I’ve been right where you are! Gorgeous!
My Dad and I biked through the Smokies. It was, um, HILLY and breathtaking…figuratively and literally!
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EXCELLENT pics!! Looks like you’re having a great time. I like how you seductively draped yourself over the obstacles! LOL Hmm, not sure of the obsession with fudge there but if you ever want a recipe for the easiest BEST fudge ever, let me know. I have a recipe for Nutella fudge that people go nuts over!
Seductively draped? Haha. That definitely wasn’t intentional. I’m like the least sexy person alive, so I definitely wasn’t trying for that or anything, haha.
And Nutella fudge? I think I want to make that just to satisfy curiosity.
Wow- that looks so beautiful! I love when you can explore great new places as well as get some excercise in! Have fun girl- you deserve it!
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Great Pics! I absolutely love riding my Motorcycle through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Camping there is awesome too!!
Looks like you had fun indeed! It’s cool that some people thought of putting obstacles on that trail to make it more challenging. But isn’t it too cold these days to go out? Hehe.
Haha, the obstacles weren’t intentional. Trees fall in the park all the time and they just haven’t gotten around to clearing them off the trails yet. Roads take priority, so they get cleared off first then trails whenever they get around to it.
It is definitely cold but not too cold to go out. Just have to bundle up and keep moving and not stay out all day. We go out for a few hours then go in somewhere to warm up then repeat the process. :)
Looks absolutely beautiful…and COLD!
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Looks like so much fun.
I was in Gatlinburg a few months ago, but I wasn’t able to do any hiking. Lots of walking in town though.
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I would be so motivated to go on exercise walks if I had views like that. Beautiful!
What awesome pics!!! Beautiful! Neat that you got to do that with your mom too! Now, that relaxing & bubble bath sound great! I bet that felt good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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