Great Smoky Mountains

While we were in TN we took the opportunity to drive part of the trail of the Great Smokey Mountains. I have to tell you I thought we would just be driving along the trail maybe see some animals and maybe do one of those stop at the overpass and look at the scenery. And while we did do this and while we did take some spectacular photos (see the first few pictures below) my husband had ideas of hiking to see some of the trails. Now I'm an out doorsey kind of gal, not for spending a week camping or anything, but I do enjoy an occasional hike and definitely some seashores. However I did not come prepared for this particular type of hike......

I love being their mom.

Truly they were some beautiful pictures along the way, and we even stopped at the visitors center to get a map so we could hike this great adventure.....with 4 kids in 98 degree weather with 90% humidity.

So we decided to take the trail to Laurel Falls, it seemed like a relatively short trail compared to the others and the guide said it was fairly easy. I don't know if you can see that sign that says DANGER...if you can click on the picture to make it bigger you will notice that it says bears are active in this area...I of course did not see that little sign on the way, I just noticed the 1.3 miles, one way.

So we began our hike up the hill in 98 degree weather with small children whining and complaining the whole way. Sometimes carrying said whiny children.
We made it an opportunity to see and hear different things...always a chance for learning.
Definitely the hardest part was the narrowness of the trail and keeping the kids to the right so we wouldn't fall off the cliff. It took a good 45 minutes and couple of times we were tempted to go back down the hill....did I mention the bear cub half way up the trail..... People were stopping to take pictures and capture the moment...really my out doorsyness goes out the window when you have a live animal nearby..I would rather he go his way and I go mine. But we decided to trek on as quietly as possible. Of course we were passing the crowd as they were trying to take it's picture, praying that we would just get to the top of falls so we could experience the sense of completion. As I reflect on it it really just reminds me of the trials of life. God allows you to go through some trials, sometimes it feels like it's never going to end and you feel like you are nver going to make it, then it does and you are rewarded in some way. Whether it's physical or emotional or something you just learned. We come through them stronger then when we went in to it.

Still smiling...

This is what we were rewarded with. It was SPECTACULAR. I was in awe of the beauty of it and how amazing it felt to actually stick my feet in this beautiful refreshing place.

Yes I am wearing flip flops...can you tell I did not plan on hiking.

They loved it, had it been any deeper they might have gone swimming in their clothes...
Oh wait I forgot Madison did....when she fell in face first. Of course after some complaining she felt pretty good.

Love his cheesey grin.
After spending some time marveling at God's creation we headed back down the mountain.

A little hot...a little tired...but mostly grateful that we had this experience.....Did I mention the little guy was completely not having it.