Sweethearts on the Hill

We added horseback riding to our fall break adventures in the Smoky Mountains - what a fantastic experience.   From left to right, we were escorted by Garth, Smoky, Buck, and Liberty.   It was a self-guided tour... which really just meant it was a horse-guided tour.    They knew where to go and how to get us there.  They stopped when they were supposed to (or just when they had to relieve themselves... which, of course, resulted in obscene laughter from my four children!) They took us  high up on a mountain, then trotted us back down.   There are few things in life that bring me greater joy than seeing my childrens' faces when they have discovered a new love...  such was the scene on this beautiful fall day. My horse Liberty was the leader of the pack... Charlie pointed out that I was the only one who didn't have to stare at a horses butt the whole time! About half way down the trail, I decided to give Liberty two ...

  There are moments that arise when life tells me I just need to get away... clear my head, soothe my soul, and remind myself that the story of our lives is a compilation of experiences, thoughts, feelings, and relationships.  I do my best to purposefully build these things into our daily lives - not only because I want my kids to look back on their childhood with the fondest of memories and I want them to grow up to have adventurous souls, but also just because I need it.   This time we used a couple days of the boys' fall break and went on a "Glamping" adventure at a new canvas resort in Wears Valley. It's only been open for two weeks...  we lucked out stumbling upon this little gem.    We stayed in the "Stargazer" and had the adjacent hive (teepee) for the boys...   The Stargazer has plexiglass over the head of the king size bed to give a view of the nighttime sky ...  amazing...! (in theory...)  Condensation and terrible visi...