Twenty-nine years ago around this same time, my husband and I visited the Great Smoky Mountains with his parents. That was my first trip there. I was enthralled. The majestic grandeur that surrounded me just took my breath away. The leaves in their fall beauty was a site to behold. We drove to Cherokee, went out to Cades Cove, walked around the streets of the quaint little town nestled at the foothills of the Smokies. We went to Oconaluftee as well as Mingus Mill. We took the scenic drive through Roaring Fork Motor Trail. I saw my first bear and walked through the clouds on top Ski Mountain.
In the evenings, my in-laws would retire to their room at The Alpine shortly after supper, leaving us free to roam the streets of Gatlinburg on our own. We would take the trolley from the hotel into town and walk up and down the streets, visiting the many shops. I remember having to have Karmel Korn and buying Stick Candy and Orange Creams from McCutcheon's Candy store.
I fell in love with the area. It was so hard to leave and go back home. For the next 7 years, we would visit here for little short weekend jaunts about 2-3 times a year. In 1988, we made the decision to move here and have never regretted it.
Living in The Mountains is like having your own little piece of heaven. We have been here 22 years now and the one drawback is the fact that we don't get the pleasure of "going on vacation" to the mountains. So we occasionally take day trips in the area to do the things that brought us such pleasure.
Today will be one of those days. We are playing hookie from work. (Can you play hookie if you own the business?) We are going over into the mountains and enjoy our day together. I'm so excited. It is always a wonderful day when you get to play hookie and have an all day date with your husband.
I hope you all have a fun-filled Friday and a blessed weekend.
