After 3200+ Miles, We're Finally Home!

After traveling over 3200 miles in 9 days, we arrived home Sunday evening. It was an incredible trip filled with so many, many blessings. Having never been to the Smoky Mountains before, we were completely captivated by the beauty. And to think: all of that beauty is a message of Love from our Father, telling us just how precious we are to Him. There were times, just soaking it all in, when praise would overflow the heart and come out in songs of worship. We could have stayed forever! If we could, we would get right back in that truck and go back! It was that gorgeous. 

I have trouble with my heart, at times, living in West Texas. It is especially hard when we visit somewhere pretty and green (yes, Kirsten--I am also thinking of Northern Michigan!) and then come home to brown and dry. Gratitude doesn't come without intentionality and Grace in those moments. But, He is Faithful! And so He reminds me what abundant blessings He has showered on us in this place and brings us again to Peace in His Plan. Isn't He Amazing???!!! And so, I am truly thankful to be home.

The picture above is inside the National Park. Those are Kregg's parents watching the kids play in the river below, while Kregg crosses the bridge in the distance.

Isn't that a lovely tunnel? Who knew tunnels could be so charming?

Rebekah and Joshua decided to have a quick round of "King of the Stump." This happens to be the beginning of the path leading up to where we saw the mama bear and her three cubs. At this point, we had no idea what was about to happen. Looking back on the fact that my husband and children survived a charge from a mama black bear, I cannot tell you how aware we are of His Hand of Protection--even when we are unwise. Thank You, Lord!

We just could not get over the TREES!!! There were SO MANY OF THEM! And they were SO BIG! We aren't used to that here. :)

I always find myself wondering about the people who lived in places like this. It is so very appealing to me on so many levels, but I imagine a very romanticized version of what life would be like. Reality, certainly, would be much different from my imaginings. And yet . . .

Infinite vistas of sweeping grandeur. While driving some of the roads inside the Park, we would listen to the soundtrack from Last of the Mohicans. And since part of that movie was filmed there, it seemed doubly appropriate.

This lovely group of Amish were taking a break from their tour of the park. Here they were resting outside one of the Visitor Centers. Aren't they adorable?

The kids were always ready to play in the river again. And I could sit and listen to the music of the water until Jesus takes me Home, and that would be fine with me.

The girls were trying to steady each other atop the rock. It was really cute.

Ahhhhhhh . . . . .

The highest point in the Park is Clingman's Dome. There is a paved path that leads up to this viewing platform. The kids raced ahead, while I plodded--it was pretty steep and I am definitely an out-of-shape-flatlander. When I finally made it, a cloud moved in and we had trouble seeing the bottom of the tower at times. Hoping it would clear, we waited. But, since it was getting dark, we gave up and went back down. Didn't take nearly as long! :)

Looking down from the tower when the visibility cleared for a minute, there was this amazing vignette: you could write a whole story just from this one picture--it reminded the kids of the tree of Gondor from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

This was a frequent sight: a pick-up picnic. We have had these in National Parks all over the country. Sometimes we have them along an interstate somewhere. We once had one in downtown St. Louis with our trailer and truck parked under an overpass. So wherever you are, you might see us eating lunch--be sure and wave! :)

We decided to take one day and drive a couple of hours to Asheville, North Carolina and visit the Biltmore Estate. Here we are on the rear veranda. It's when I see these pictures that I am sad Mackenzy and Caleb had to stay home to work. :(

Our tour included lots of history and background, which was all quite fascinating. The craftsmanship and ingenuity that is displayed were incredible. There are four acres of square footage under that roof!

My favorite part, however, were the gardens. Oh my! 

Frederick Law Olmstead was the landscape architect for this enormous project. Even if you haven't heard his name before, you are familiar with his work. He is most famous for designing Central Park in NYC. But he considered the grounds of the Biltmore to be his best work.

Part of the enormous conservatory was closed due to hail damage. But even the exterior was beautiful. 

Aren't they the cutest in-laws ever?

One morning, we went into the park pretty early and this was one of our blessings--the sun was coming through the forest in solid shafts. It was so beautiful!

Again, I am left wondering about the stories of these lives. Who were these people? What were their hopes and dreams?

Walking through these old cemeteries, we were struck how many died in infancy. We saw several graves of newborns that didn't live a full day. Life was definitely difficult in these mountains back before all our modern conveniences and medical help.

This mill is still functional, grinding cornmeal. They used to sell the meal in the Visitor Center, but the FDA decided that wasn't okay and so it is now used for animal feed.

This little nest of swallows was inside this old log cabin.

A variation on a theme: funnel cake from the bed of the truck.

The girls decided, for their souvenir, they wanted to make knives. We had visited this little shop early in the week, and after seeing all their other options, they decided to go back and make their souvenirs. This little shop uses the old fashioned craftsmanship that blacksmiths used centuries ago. In fact, the military asked them to design a program to teach their methods of sharpening knives. Impressive credentials, indeed.

Starting from a horseshoe, this is what they ended up with: the sharpest knives we have!

I hope I am as adventurous as my in-laws when I am their age! Here I am with them in one raft, while Kregg and the four kids were in another. It was so much fun! We actually went through several class 4 rapids. WooHoo!

Of course, the guides can do it all by themselves, but we had fun pretending to be necessary.

Our last evening there, we went to the Dixie Stampede. It was a hoot! This is the pre-show before we were ushered into the arena for dinner and the main event.

Kregg's parents had been to a similar show in Branson, and thought the kids would really enjoy it because of all the animals, especially the horses. And they were right!

 

After dinner that last night, Kregg took Rebekah salamander hunting. She had seen a display on salamanders at the Park Visitor Center and was hoping to find one before we had to start home. Even though they were unsuccessful, for which I am grateful, they enjoyed the thrill of the hunt.

This reminds me of Frost's "road less traveled."
 

On the way home, the Arkansan highways jiggled and jolted us until our teeth rattled. On the way out, the roughness of those roads caused two sets of blinds to pull off the walls in the trailer! The evening of our first day of driving home, we had a blowout on the interstate. Thankfully, we were able to exit quickly and the guys had it changed as fast as an Indy pit crew. Well, almost that fast.

We had to say goodbye to Kregg's parents as we came through Abilene, where they live. Then we finished the drive home, another 150 miles. 

Between Abilene and home, I fell asleep for a while and awoke to this glorious sky. Kregg was sweet to stop and let me take a few last pictures to round out the trip. It was such a glorious time and we look forward to returning to that beautiful National Park someday. Hopefully sooner rather than later. I leave you now with the beautiful music of the river.