A Look Back At Our Trip

Well hello and happy Monday!  It is a rather humid morning here (my hair was sticking straight up on my head when I got back from my walk!) but not too warm.  The sun seems to be hidden but, all in all, a nice morning.  It has been a productive morning (which is code for I’ve been doing other things…) and so my post is a bit late.  Again.  At this point, I’m just happy if a Monday post gets posted on Monday!  And I will forewarn you…this is a hodge podge of vacation photos.  I have noticed I take photos of the most random things.  Of trees alot.  And birds.  I did get a few of my husband and I even let him take one of me (shocking, I know) but those are not going to make it to the blog.  And I did take one other photo of a person.  I saw this woman browsing in a shop.  And she had the cutest haircut.  I thought, “I would love to show my stylist her hair.  For inspiration.”  So what was I to do?  But take her picture, of course.  So weird.  But that is exactly what I did.  Got out my phone and got a perfect shot of her hair from the back (which was what I loved the most) and one from the side.  No one even noticed me and I felt like a sneaky CIA agent.  Until I felt like a goof and was more than a bit embarrassed.  Certainly, I should stick to birds, and trees, and flowers!

These photos are completely random but I will share a few bits from our trip.  If you want to dip out now, I will never know and, honestly, would not be offended even if I did know.  For those two who are interested, here are some pictures.

We were in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  It is next to Gatlinburg.  All located in the Great Smoky Mountains.  Beautiful scenery was everywhere!!  Our hotel was situated on this babbling creek.  We would have breakfast each morning on their patio…with this view.  It would get rather warm every afternoon, but when we were there, the mornings were just perfect.  The air was cool, clean and incredibly crisp.

This view, which looks incredibly like the previous one, is actually from our balcony.  After breakfast, we would do our devotions on the balcony.  I will admit, the view (even with the Monday morning commuters), the wildlife and the water could definitely be distracting.  I took this picture trying to capture the fog that settled on the mountains each morning.  We so enjoyed watching the fog lift little by little in order to start each day.  I really hope folks who live in really pretty areas of the country never tire of the beauty around them!

One more morning shot.  As soon as breakfast began to be served (it was a buffet each morning), the ducks and geese were right there.  They would gather around the patio and porch waiting for crumbs and bread crusts to be tossed their way.  And there was no shortage of those who were willing to oblige.  There was also a birdfood dispenser near the patio.  Much like a candy machine.  The geese would open each little door of the machine in order to find extra food.  We thought it was cute.  Just like all the other “old people” did:)   It aslo did not take long for the pigeons to arrive.  They can be bossy and a bit rude but were the only ones willing to sit long enough for a photo.

We spent one evening at The Island.  Lots of shopping and restaurants (like all good tourist spots) and home of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, a 200 foot ferris wheel, which we rode at night.  The lights were super pretty.  My photos were not.  We had dinner at Paula Deen’s Family Restaurant.  The meals are served family style and they were all you can eat.  I was a tiny skeptical but I have to admit, our meal was pretty tasty.

We also spent one day at a ranch/amusement area.  This is Dozer.  He is (not a baby but more like) a toddler.  But already a big boy:)  Being the city folks that we are, we are always a tad infatuated with the animals.

Including these pigs!!  Oh my…but please tell me they are cute!  The black one had been in the little house/shed.  He got up, waddled over to where the white one was sound asleep and, literally, laid on top of her to get cozy.  She just moved her nose in order to breathe but, otherwise, seemed quite comfy.  Together is better, I suppose.  (Cute…sense we were celebrating our anniversary)!

We spent one day in Gatlinburg.  We definitely prefer Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg but I wanted to take my husband to the Skybridge.  I mentioned it here before.  They have even made some improvements (adding a place for refreshments on the opposite side) and I was not quite the scaredy-cat as I was the first time.  Still refused to look down or even take the quickest glance around me but I was not clenching the railing the entire way.  My hubby, who is not a fan of heights, walked right across like a champ.  He did decline looking throught the glass floor midway.  (Smart man.)

And we did visit Dollywood.  Before I left, several friends had said things like “you gotta go to Dollywood…it is so pretty in Dollywood…why wouldn’t you go there if you are in Pigeon Forge?”  I get it.  It is pretty.  One of the nicest theme parks, in my opinon.  I, personally, would not spend a dollar at Disney (if you do, that’s fine) but I do think Dollywood is super nice.  But I also think we are not in the theme park season of life.  It was expensive to go see “some pretty.”

Well, that about wraps it up.  We had a nice time.  It is fun to get away once in awhile.  But I must admit, we are always glad to get home…..

Even if home sweet home is sprawl and crawl, and a concrete jungle!!  This is the Arlington, Virginia skyline.  I actually thought it looked rather pretty.  Who could have imagined??  I complain quite a bit about where I live. Sad but true.  But it is nice to be home.  If you are still reading…well, thanks.  Now you know why I don’t often include my own pictures in my blog posts.  But thanks for indulging me.  And, of course, thanks for stopping by!!  Have a wonderful week ahead, my friend!!