The Great Smoky Mountain Vacation

What an amazing way to begin our summer! Last Sunday Brian and I loaded up the car, picked up Nonna Carlotta from work and hit the road for our big summer vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains. The kids were troopers in the car - although if we heard the Thomas the Tank Engine theme song one more time I'm not sure the DVD player would have survived for the return trip.

We rented a beautiful cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee right on the edge of the park. We were way up at the top of a mountain and Max loved all the sharp turns we took to reach the cabin - Nonna laid down in the back seat until we safely reached our destination. The traditional log cabin was perfect for our adventure and we made ourselves right at home.

Much of our time was spent in the National Park. Gatlinburg is crazy busy, but very quaint at the same time. The park couldn't have been more different. On our first full day we packed a lunch and headed out to hike Laural Falls. The loop was apparently 2.5 miles and we thought Max could muster it, but with a very steep edge - and a pretty narrow path - we decided to end on a high note and turn around about halfway up.

Nonna and Max explored the trees and looked at all the amazing things growing all around them. It amazes me just how much Max loves nature.

We stopped for lunch at one of the picnic areas set up in the park. Max even found a lightning bug to join us for lunch. The picnic area was right next to the stream and Max couldn't wait to play in the water, but it was chilly!

After lunch we headed back on the road in the to Cade's Cove. We joked all morning that we were going on a bear hunt in the park and sure enough as we encountered a black bear on our drive. Nonna Carlotta was the first to stop it and we couldn't believe how close the bear was to us. It walked right by the car in front of us! Thank goodness we were in the car - I felt like I could enjoy our bear sighting without fear of being attacked.

The stops along the Cade's Cove route were beautiful! We got a couple good shots while Will slept in the car.

We stopped at the old mill to check things out. Max was intrigued by the water running to the mill and was determined to find out where the water was coming from. Luckily the source of the water wasn't too far upstream. He was all excited to show Nonna how it worked. At one point he put a leaf in the water and followed it all the way to the mill. It was pretty funny.

We spent one day in Gatlinburg. There are like 20 different Ripley's exhibits along the main strip of town. While I'm not to excited to show many of them to my children, I was excited to visit the aquarium. The shark tunnel was amazing - a people mover moves you a long a tunnel while you watch the sharks. We got there just in time for the divers to enter the tank and it was pretty amazing. Max was more excited about the more interactive exhibits. If there was a button, he was pushing it. But I think his favorite part of the whole thing was that we took a bus into town and back.

We spent one day in Ashville, North Carolina visiting the Biltmore. Brian can tell you all about the Vanderbilts - they even have a link to Anderson Cooper. Nonna was just excited because she had seen their summer home in Rhode Island. Max and Will were good sports and held it together for the most part. The house really was incredible, especially when you think that it was build in the 1800's. Crazy.

We headed into Pigeon Forge one night to see what it had to offer. Not really too much. Max was all excited to ride in a go cart with daddy - that is until daddy started driving around the track. He lasted one lap and he was all done. These little trucks were much more his speed.

One more day in the park to round out our vacation. The scenery was incredible. Clingman's Dome is the highest point in the park and that was our goal. We made the drive, but didn't quite think Max could survive the steep mile hike to the top. We were high enough. The view was pretty amazing - even though the boys didn't want to cooperate with our picture taking attempts.

I'm embarrassed to admit that we ended our trip with a visit to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. I'm even more embarrassed to admit just how much I loved it! The boys were both enthralled in the show. Will stood on my lap and clapped through the whole thing. It was adorable to watch them enjoy it so much.

All in all a fabulous family vacation. I'm so fortunate that we are able to take our kiddos on fun family trips. I'm even more lucky that Nonna was able to join us.