sniff, sniff! My little hiking group will be having some changes! Trista will be getting married and moving to Florida and Talana will be moving to New Mexico. We were able to squeeze in one final girls trip- because we had to! (Yes, even during COVID. gasp! Fear not- we've been home for weeks now and no one came down with anything.) We went to Gatlinburg and it could not have been more perfect. We didn't do a hike but drove to a few places.
We left town early and got to Gatlinburg to do a little shopping. We pulled over into a parking lot to watch President Nelson's message on gratitude to everyone. It was amazing. And to be sharing that moment with some great women was also amazing. We ate lunch, went to a few shops, went to the grocery store and got into our cabin.
The first night we had a little gift exchange. I gave everyone matching pj bottoms and someone else gave everyone socks. (there was also chapstick, favorite pens, wooden bowls, flour sack clothes, etc)
Cades Cove is always really pretty. You could not have handpicked a better day. It was stunningly beautiful.
Cades Cove is 11 miles around and you go pretty slow. You can also get out at certain places and look at old cabins and such. Supposedly there are bear sightings, but I've never seen one so I always tell people they aren't really there. They just keep the rumor going so tourists keep coming to the Smoky Mountains.
After Cades Cove, we drove over to Clingman's Dome. I've always wanted to go there. It's a half mile, basically straight up, walk to a stunning view of 8 states (on a clear day.) We wanted to see the sunset from there and Trista told us it took her an hour to climb a few years ago. So we booked up there, not wanting to miss the sunset, only for it to take 13 mins (I timed it.) She said, "oops! last time I came with my little nephews. I guess they walk slower." haha. So we stared at the views for awhile and then watched the sunset from the parking lot. It was another gorgeous view so it didn't matter "where" we saw it.
While up at the top, we ran into a friend, Heather Williams, from church. She was there with her daughters. She wouldn't let me take a picture with her. so I snuck one.
Again, look at that sky?? Can you even???
Clingman's Dome is actually on the Appalachian Trail. We didn't see any through hikers but I made sure to get "on" the trail so I could say I've been "on" it.
That night we had planned to go to dinner. But it was a weekend in crowded Gatlinburg. So after sitting for a good 30 mins in traffic, we ditched that idea. Instead we went back to the grocery store and picked up whatever we wanted. Pizza, enchiladas, cheese dip, mac n cheese- I think someone even got sushi. It was delicious. It was probably safer than being at a restaurant anyway. While none of us are on the 'freaked out over COVID' level (obviously or we wouldn't have done the trip) we are trying to be smart about our choices.
Trista, Talana and I bought the same TN shirt so we had to get a picture.
That night Talana and I (who shared a bed. The others had their own) stayed up until 3:30am just talking and laughing. It was a lot of fun. Talana is kind of known as the "pulled together" one of the group and when she realized she had this getup on (with all the colors and patterns)- well, it was pretty funny.
It was a short trip and we all headed back home on Sunday. Lee had to speak in church so I listening to the streaming of it from the car. I texted him, only to have the kids respond with this photo. They are cute.
It was a really excellent trip. It couldn't have been more perfect. I'm so glad that we all decided to go, despite all that's going on in the world. I would be so sad if I had missed out on this final adventure with these awesome women. We've all hiked together for 5-6 years. I am really going to miss this little group. (insert CRY!!)
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