Starting the Summer in the Smoky Mountains

 Last week Shane and I joined his parents and drove up to Gatlinburg, TN to meet up with Shane's grandma, Aunt Aneita & Uncle Ross and cousins for a week long trip in the Smoky Mountains. The plan was to stay in a large cabin and enjoy some quality time together as well as relax at the pool that was supposed to be in the backyard(key words "supposed to").  When we arrived we were surprised to say the least to emerge from the wooded mountain roads to a Vegas-like strip full of homemade fudge shops, Ripley's Believe it or Not venues, gifts shops and the like. The week ended up being filled with grilling out, hikes, creek exploring(which abruptly ended when we all discovered leaches on our skin!), downtown perusing, mini golfing, and a little white water rafting to boot. All in all the theme of the week was "This was not what I expected," but it was an adventure none the less! Here are some pictures of some of our week's activities. 

 

Mom and Dad with their Frosties on the way up.

 Shane helping navigate with the GPS

We roadtripped in our church clothes-it was a first : ) 

 

Our Captain.

 "Country Road. . . "

 Almost There

 Little did we know all that was in store : ) 

Ross, Gladys, Camilla, and Sophia were already there when we arrived, and Camilla soon found herself a buddy in Shane. I can't blame the girl-she has good taste! 

Aunt Kerri and 5 month old Sophia

 

Cutie Camilla

 

Mom putting together salads for our first family dinner grilling out

On the first full day, while I stayed back for some quite time to study, Shane, his dad, Uncle Ross, Ross, Taylor and Quinn all went on a draining 8 mile hike.

 

Shane and Dad

 

   Still hiking . . . 

That's my husband. . . I love him.

Quinn, Taylor, and Grammie on the Trolly to downtown for some mini-golf

 Downtown

 It was called "Treasure Quest" but it seemed to just be a random collection of weird things!

 We couldn't resist but take weird pictures with the weird decor

 Ashley. . .

Shane looking into one of those old fortune telling machines. Saying this is scary may just be the understatement of the Summer.

 The more "mature" group a couple holes ahead....they may or may not have been sabotaging us along the way

 twins?

 Just plain creepy

 Kickin' back

 a little too much?

 Where's Waldo. . a.k.a. Shane

I seem to be putting in a little more effort......

Somehow with my club in one hand and a camera in the other I still managed to be the overall winner of the night!!! My fluke of a hole in one probably had something to do with that-oh mini golf-a true playing field leveler : ) haha

 Dinner night out at the "Alamo"

 Brothers (Brad flew in early Wednesday!!)

 Experimenting with the Smile Detection function on the camera

 still experimenting. . . .

 

 Ashley and 9 month old Addison

 Camilla saying hello to the bull with a little help from nanna

 Quinn's homemade Sequence board

 the only "pool" we saw that week

 One night around dinner time we were hit with a huge summer storm with monsoon like downpours. We were able to enjoy the storm from the back porch.

 Brad prepping another game between him and Shane

Shane, Dad, Brad, and John playing Washers on our last day

 Couldn''t help but chronicle some the sights in nearby Pigeon Forge including the above "Wonder Works"

 Titanic

 Family Photo Op!

 On our way home, saying goodbye to the Smoky Mountains

"Blue Smoke"-what the natives called it before our more commonly known translation of "Smoky"

 Appalachian Trail

 Shane and Dad

Hope you enjoyed the picture recap! I know I haven't been on here in a while and I hope to make a few more appearances to record the rest of our Summer travels and high lights!!!

-M.W.