As I write this post I just want to give you a little glimpse into what my life looks like in this moment. When I close my eyes, I can hear rushing water. I can hear the happy chatter, laughter, and yelling of people. I can smell that crisp mountain air and feel the coolness of it on my toes that are propped up on the chair in front of me. I’m currently sitting on a dark balcony four stories up overlooking the mountains a pool and another set of lovely balconies. I’m not as tall as some of the trees but when I look down I can see some flowering bushes. The only light in my general area at this moment is from the oh so comforting glow of my laptop as I write this blog. This is like the perfect picture of a vacation evening for a blogger, don’t you think? Over the past couple of days, I have really gotten to immerse myself in the beauty of Gods world and see some breath-taking views of it from man made creations. Tonight, I want to take this opportunity to tell you all about them and to write down these memories, so my daughter and I don’t forget them.
Helicopter ride over Pigeon Forge Tennessee.
This magical moment was my daughters VERY FIRST helicopter ride which is so special in and of itself. She was so excited to experience going up in the air and flying for the first time. She sat in her little seat in our six-passenger helicopter and was able to pear down out of the window. She would flap her arms in excitement and laugh she was so happy. I loved getting to be there to experience yet another first in her life. I loved getting to photograph the moments, and I love getting to sit here now in this peaceful place and write about them. We went at around 120 miles per hour, and even though the ride was short it was well worth the money spent for such a time. We got to see mountain views and man-made creations in a beautiful melting pot on the earth below us. I hope when you see this post it’s a fond memory for you my little one.
Glass Ferris Wheel ride with a Mountain View in “The Island” Pigeon forge Tennessee.
This was the week of firsts for my little girl as this was the first time she had ever ridden on a Ferris wheel. She was so excited for this that she did her dance in the line as we waited to board, her flip flops being used as tap shoes. It was such a fun adventure and suck a unique experience to go up in a huge glass walled Ferris wheel. We got to see pigeon forge in is sprawling entirety from here as well as a beautiful mountain view in the back ground. All smoked up. We also got to see the sun hanging low in the sky over the mountains and the esthetic of tourist America below us with all the people like ants and all of the life. It was like a fixed carnival right in the middle of the city. We loved looking out all the windows at this beautiful place.
Driving along the mountain roads:
This was exhilarating, terrifying and beautiful depending on where you were driving at in the mountains. I have only been able to see one wild bear and was hoping to see way more, but I don’t think that is going to pan out much. Earlier in the week we got ourselves into a sticky situation driving around on one of the mountains. It can be scary when you are on some kind of steep slope and have to back down it. That rear view camera on the van I mentioned earlier in the series was a big help in some of these moments. Above all though the mountains are exhilarating and beautiful when you get to see the rain coming through the trees or you get to see a bear in the forest. My daughter favorite part, and mine if I’d like to admit it was getting to drive through the tunnel cut in the mountain as you go from pigeon forge to Gatlinburg Tennessee. We have gotten to witness this tunnel every day of our travels and my daughter will sing, test out the echo, and have her papa honk the horn as we travel literally through the side of a mountain complete surrounded by the strong sturdy rock.
Riding a Chondola through the Mountains (Anakeesta):
This was magical. We decided to ride the enclosed Chondola up to the top of one of the mountains where they had a park. The views were just as amazing as all of them. A Chondola is a glass enclosed ski lift that goes up the mountain. From this ski lift we could see the town of Gatlinburg below, we could also see everyone else ridding their ski lifts. This one was a little more for the brave because whenever it paused or stopped it would swing and rock! After the first two swings or so though, you settled into the feel of it and all was well. From the top of this mountain we got to travel across some beautiful tree bridges as well as see beautiful flowers and look out over the surrounding mountains.
I hope you can see the beauty of Gods world in this post, Mama’s. It is important to appreciate this beauty and strength that God has built up even in the hard times in life. Let me know in the comments below if you have ever been to the Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg Tennessee area before and write your fondest memory.
Happy Vacationing,
Brie