A day in Gatlinburg

We took the 2 and half hour trip over the mountain to Gatlinburg today. We watched the colors of the leaves become even more bright and colorful the farther up we got. And as we drove up the mountain, with the trees like a canopy to our cars, the leavesfell like snow. It was just like we were in a movie. Boston just loved looking at all the different colored leaves and he especially loved it when we got to the top of the mountain. (Dallas and Asher slept for most of the drive.) The tunnels were a huge hit as well. We went straight to Gatlinburg and walked the strip, which always brings back so many memories of coming up here since my childhood. We of course had to get the "tradional" goodies like we always do. And since this is Sean's 3rd trip these are also his "traditional" goodies. Carmel Corn, chocolate teddy bears, dark chocolate almond bark and Sean's favorite chocolate covered cherries. The boys loved watching them make taffy with their 100 year old machines. It is funny to see my own kids eating chocolate bears when it seems like just yesterday I was watching my parents buy me one. Afterwards we headed to our favorite restaurant, The Apple Barn. This is a HUGE favorite of our families and if you are ever in Pigeon Forge you have to go there. Their apple juliep and apple fritters are to die for!

We then thought we might try to see some old friends of ours , the Smith family, that own Hidden Mountain Resorts(a great group to rent cabins from if you are ever in the area). My parents bought their first mountain house with them back in 1982. Read The Smith's story on their website http://www.hiddenmountain.com/about.html, it's a true testiment to the power of tithing. My parents were the first people who came calling right after they had tithed. And that started a great friendship. We were lucky that Butch, Brenda and all three of their kids were there. What a great reunion!

We made our way on the mountain to see our old mountain house, my Uncle Knute's mountain house that he still owns, and my grandma's old house. Then we headed home,with one stop to get some "hot and now" Krispie Kreme doughnuts. It was a great day!