Mountains

There are two places that always feel more like home than anywhere else to me. The first is on the water, often at the lake where Grandma and Grandpa live, but pretty much any body of water any time. And the second is the mountains, particularly the Great Smoky Mountains. We vacationed there several times each year while I was growing up, and Josh and I try to make it there at least once a year as a mini-retreat from the crazy, busy everyday that is our life raising three boys with three very busy and often conflicting schedules.

Josh surprised me by planning this trip and hitting up Grammy to keep the boys for me. It's been a busy summer and busy year ... lots of houses under construction for him on his "off" days from the fire department, lots of client work for me early in the year. The twins finishing up elementary school, including the requisite IEP meetings (and heaven help us middle school transition planning) and Connor starting middle school this year.

So we left on a Tuesday and spent four days away from it all ...

Our first hike was to Abrams Falls off the Cades Cove loop trail ...








Our next trip was to Andrews Bald off the Clingman's Dome trail ...














And then we had to say farewell until next time ...



Home. The water. The mountains. Being outside and away from it all for just a little while. So thankful for the moments when we get to do that together.