It has been 3 years since we've been to the smokies. Growing up, going camping there was our yearly family vacation. Such great memories! I will always love going.
This year we decided to take Vivian for her first trip. We met my parents and my brother and his family for a few days in the great mountain air.
Vivian loves the outdoors which means she would love being in this new environment. She had a great time exploring. Especially throwing rocks, acorns and leaves into the river. I think she could have done that all day long.
Getting there was a little rocky. We left out of Wilmington at 8:45am and didn't arrive in Townsend until after 6pm. A 7 hour drive turned into 9 hours. Horrible. It was fine until we got into Asheville. We were stuck in stand still traffic on the interstate FOREVER. And for what? Nothing! There were a couple of vehicles on the side of the road and that was it. Pathetic. Then I missed our turn to Sevierville. We ended up in the second oldest town in TN, Danridge. Then the traffic in Pigeon Forge was RIDICULOUS! Stand still traffic, again. We hardly moved for an hour. B decided to take some back roads to Wears Valley Road. The road was very curvy and steep. Then Vivian throws up because of all the turns. We sat in throw up until we got to the cabin 30+ minutes later. It was a mess. We were glad to get there.
The next day we hung around Townsend. Went to the top pool of the Little River where you start inner tubing so Vivian could play next to the river. She had a ball! We ate lunch and got ice cream later. A perfect day after a long day the day before.
Sunday we spent the rainy afternoon at Cades Cove.
We picnicked at the entry when it wasn't raining and once we started the 11 mile drive, the rain came on and off. We didn't even get to go to John Oliver's cabin. I wanted a picture of Vivy on the cabin porch and in the meadow with the mountain back drop. Oh well, we will return. At least we were able to make a couple of stops between the rain. After Cades Cove, we drove to Gatlinburg. We a did a family old time photo and had dinner at Bennett's BBQ.
Can't go to Gatlinburg and not eat at Bennetts. So good!
Monday, B, Chris, Suzanne and Audrey rode Smoky Mountain Alpine Roller Coaster in Pigeon Forge. Vivian was napping in the car so I was unable to ride. They really enjoyed the ride. After the coaster, Chris and his family had to return home. We grabbed some lunch and drove to Chimney Rock and up to Newfound Gap. When we got to Newfound Gap, the weather went from the upper 70s to the 50s. It was cold and windy! After a quick stop we drove down to Alum Cave Trail for a little hike. It was beautiful.
Tuesday we stayed at the cabin all day long because it rained all day long. We needed a lazy day!
We left Townsend before 6:30am to make our trek home. Thankfully the drive back was much smoother. No traffic jams, getting loss or sick. Vivian did great hanging out in her car seat. We did stop at South of the Border, aka the most random in place in America. They had a little playground which was great. We made it home around 2pm. So good to be home!
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