Our First Vacation...sort of...

The view from our condo

We were in need of a vacation.  Just us, the five of us, that didn't include visiting family.  Since Lyra Kate came along, almost 4 years ago, we have only taken vacations that were to visit family - many trips to my Mom's on the Alabama Gulf Coast (I mean she does live at the Beach) and one long trip with Scott's parents to visit Gigi and Uncle Larry in Kansas City.  (The trip was long because it was about 11 hours in the car one-way, with a 2 year old and a 1 year old, both who got the stomach bug, and I was 4 months pregnant - not because we were traveling with Scott's parents). Anyway, I was longing to "get-away" for a few days with just Daddy and the littles.  And so we found one week in March where we could make a break for it and headed to the Smokey Mountains. 

This is what happens when you say "give Sis a hug!"

I love it there, in the mountains.  My people had to be mountain people, because I always feel at such peace there.  It was Spring.  Winter had left and everything was green and beautiful. 

Looking at the flowers

We are not much on going to the shows that they have in the area.  In fact, we had planned on doing much more before we got there.  Instead, we only went to the Aquarium in Gatlinburg.  It was our first trip and the girls enjoyed it. 

Looking at the fish

We spent two days in the National Park.  The first day "hiking"!  We actually took a trail behind the Sugarlands Visitor Center that led to a waterfall, which the park ranger suggested would be stroller friendly.  She was wrong.  Scott ended up carrying the stroller more than anything else.  The girls did have an adventure since it was muddy, beside a stream, and included a plank bridge. 

Our wandering child, Lila Grace, about to climb over the edge!

The last day of our vacation we spent in the park also.  We drove toward Cherokee about halfway.  We found access to one of the mountain streams that wasn't too step to climb down to with our 3 littles.  The water was low, exposing the river bed.  Our girls threw a lot of rocks.  And brought a lot of rocks home - something they apparently inherited from their Daddy. 

Rock throwing fun!

We then drove back to Sugarlands where we walked the handicapped trail.  It was a old homesite that the park is letting nature reclaim.

Old homesite - all that's left is the stone chimney

 It was by the stream.  We explored this area thoroughly.  Gracie found a walking stick which now has a permanent residence in our garage. 

Gracie's stick that she found in the woods

After that adventure, we drove towards Cade's Cove.  We were looking for the old schoolhouse, but we missed the turn off and couldn't turn around.  We ended up leaving the park through Wear Valley and coming back into Pigeon Forge from north of the National Park.  It was a beautiful drive.

Mountain steam

We have one rule about food when we are out of town - try to eat somewhere we do NOT have at home!  We did just that eating at Bubba Gump's (YUMMY), Red Robin, The Old Mill, Bullfish, Fudruckers and Calhoun's.  And of course we made the trek to the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg for breakfast one day.  It was wonderful.  Lyra Kate stuffed herself!  What can I say - we are Foodies (well, maybe not Gracie, she just likes chocolate). 

Tucker

We also did a good deal of shopping while we were there.  I love to shop at the Outlet stores for the children's clothing.  We bought most of our spring clothing that we needed.  We also took the children to their first Disney Store.  I didn't tell them where we were going so it was a surprise.  It took Lyra Kate's breath away when she saw the wall of princesses!  Gracie quickly found her guy - Buzz.  We let the girls pick one item each.  Lyra Kate got a Ariel the mermaid dress and Lila Grace got a real Buzz Lightyear.  We had two very happy little girls! 

Our favorite spot

Our favorite part was just driving and walking in the national park.  I could go every year if our budget allowed.  It was renewing for us to spend so much time together.  The children and I are always together but we miss having Scott with us.  This was a fun adventure.  I can't wait until our next one...maybe Disneyworld.