What a fun time in Gatlinburg Tennessee over the holidays! This is the first time we’ve gone on an away vacation with Mr. Nine’s sister and family and we had a ball! It was so wonderful to spend some quality time with them and for the cousins to enjoy each other’s company!
We did want crisp air and snow but it was a balmy 65-70, so while nice, a big nada on the white stuff.
We have been to Gatlinburg before and some of you know it’s where we eloped to, but we had not been back in years, so this was a treat! Except for one thing! The switchbacks were the death of me and I thought for sure we would go over the mountain on several occasions! Here are some of my favorite things we did in order of their occurrence.
Hiking
Luckily, both of our families love to hike, and we have an obsession with finding water on our hikes so the trails to waterfalls were inevitable. One of them, Mr. Nine and I had done before but the other one was new to us and they were both beautiful. Funny thing was the one called Abrams Falls noted on the sign that it took 3 to 4 hours, but it was getting close to dark and we were able to do it in just two, we are speedy like that! I don’t know if the kids loved as many miles as we put in but we sure were proud of ourselves!
Lil Fun around town before our hikes
OK, this is where I was scared blank less! The longest suspension bridge in the country opened in May 2019 in Gatlinburg. It is basically a swinging bridge with the glass bottom middle and metal across the mountain. Not only was I scared to death to go up the ski lift type thingy straight up but this bridge had me frightful. However, I was able to conquer my fear and it was actually so so cool. Talk about being proud of myself!
The glass portion..eek. it looks like the dirt is right under you in this pic but it's hundreds of feet down.
Beautiful pic my niece took
Ole Red
After our SkyBridge trek, we were starving, and we were excited to try Ole Red for lunch as it had been a two hour wait the night before. If you’re not familiar, Ole Red is an older song by Blake Shelton and he opened this restaurant in Gatlinburg along with one just like it in Nashville. It features scrumptious home cooking and awesome live entertainment. We just loved the band as they played all new and old-school country.
The homemade tater tots were to die for!
They were fantastic!
The homemade tater tots were to die for!
They were fantastic!
Playing Games & Being with family
Both of our families also love to play games. We played everything from Yahtzee to Quiplash which is a fun interactive phone game with the TV screen, to heads up to rummy and of course some trivia.
Yahtzee was a fav
Yahtzee was a fav
And Mini Golf was a blast even though we lost. 2 of our team got a hole in one and Mr. Nine got 2!
Meeting Nadine
Meeting Nadine
Talk about a bonus! You know I love to meet my favorite bloggers in real life when I can. When Nadine from Life By Nadine Lynn and I found out we were both going to be in Gatlinburg at the same time, we knew we had to make a meet up happen. This girl is just as genuine and sweet in person as she is on her blog. And bonus, I got to meet her beautiful daughter Zoe, who is born on one of our sons’ birthdays and her cool husband Chris who I’m sure you all know from some of her blog posts. Nadine found the perfect area to meet called the Village and the best hot chocolate and donuts from the Donut Friar. Such a blessing to meet my wonderful blog friends like Nadine, who I have known since the beginning of my blog journey. I just love this girl!
The Island
After I left Nadine, it was time for lunch with my crew. Mr. Nine's sister and family were attending mass and doing lunch on their own. Ironically, Nadine mentioned a great place to go in Pigeon Forge called the Island where there were all kinds of shops, water displays rides and games. How funny is it that out of all those places, our family ended up seated by us at the same restaurant! We had a ball at the Island. After doing the skybridge, I was actually excited yet still a little fearful to do the big Ferris wheel. We also went to Ole Smoky and did the moonshine tasting with the boys that are over 21 and it was a blast!
Found some big balls, lol!
The cornbread and sweet butter and my salad was so good!
View from the Ferris Wheel
Just a pickin' and a grinin'!
Log Chapel
We knew long before we planned this trip that we wanted to show our boys where we eloped to. Luckily, our Log chapel was not destroyed by the Gatlinburg fires. It looked a little worn, but it had some new decking added on and we were able to get some pictures and walk around the property. So fun to reminisce on the lovely little chapel where we got married. We knew we wanted to spend some more time with family playing games, so it was another quiet night at home and wanting to get back to the cabin before dark because the switchbacks are even worse to drive on in the dark!
Another bonus, the road intersecting ours was called Daisy Lane with an additional homemade sign with daisies on it. It felt so comforting to think that Daisy was watching over us on the mountain.
Here is a picture of our cabin which was perfect for our families and a link if you’re interested in renting it. RENT CABIN HERE
One last morning view..
HAPPY WEEK FORWARD. MAY YOUR VIEW OF THE WEEK BE PEACEFUL!!
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Looks like you guys had a fun family getaway! I loved following along on your IG stories while you were there. It was so warm that week here too -- not what you expect around Christmas! So glad you got to show your boys the chapel where you got married. It looks beautiful -- I love the Christmas decorations! Happy Monday, Andrea!
ReplyDeletexo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
What a blast! We did an Easter in Gatlinburg once when I was a kid and my little brother and his wife just honeymooned there. We really need to plan a vacation there one of these days! I am proud of you for doing the skybridge. I don't do heights either, but I make myself do some for the boys when we are adventuring. I'll have to try to catch your instagram story today so I can see then then and now at the chapel. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun getaway. I love just being somewhere else with family and hanging around, playing games, eating and talking - it's the best! How sweet too that you were reminded of your precious Daisy! Have the best day my precious friend!
ReplyDeletexo,
Kellyann
Oh so fun!! Gatlinburg is actually the first trip the hubby and I took together back when we were in college! Such a fun place and so much to do!!
ReplyDeleteRosy Outlook
What a fun recap Andrea! I have never been to Gatlinburg but reading your post made me feel like I was right there with you. I would be scared with that glass bridge too. So proud of you for getting across. Love your leopard coat. What a purrfect trip companion! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteMaureen | www.littlemisscasual.com
This trip looks SO fun!! I'm not really afraid of heights but that sky bridge would freak me out too. There's something about glass bottoms that really freak me out. And yay for making time to meet a blogger friend while you were there!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much to do there and you guys seemed to do it all! How fun that you were able to have such a big family vacation! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place to have a mini-family reunion. I love that you all did so much hiking. The smoky mts are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip! We are dying to get to Gatlinburg and this has me more motivated to get it scheduled!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! Love all of the quality time- looks like the perfect getaway!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a fun trip! And you are right, Mr. Nine and his sister look SO much alike!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun family trip! Sounds like you had some good family time! Those waterfalls look beautiful! And how great that you got to squeeze in a blogger meet-up too!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
Thanks Andrea for sharing your wonderful trip with us. It looks like such a beautiful place to visit and nice that you all got to spend family time together. How fun to also meet up with your blogger friend!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks like such a fantastic getaway with your family. That bridge would have made my palms sweaty but I would have wanted to conquer my fear too. Good for you! How fun to meet a fellow blogger. Your cabin looked gorgeous. My gang likes playing Quiplash too!
ReplyDeleteSO much fun, and super jealous you got to meet Nadine and her sweet fam! Love that you went back to where you were married, and the bridge looks crazy!
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
It looks like you had a great time. What a fun place to go over Christmas - but a bummer about no snow! I hope you have a wonderful Monday!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Daily Style Finds
Looks like a wonderful time!The food, people you meet and the cabin. Wow, love the cabin! We used to rent a cabin in Asheville and at one point I wanted a cabin overlooking the mountains. Hubby and I have been to Gailenburg and we enjoyed it ! I have a fear of heights so I commend you for walking across that bridge! scary!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday lovely lady!
jess xx
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. What a lovely place to elope to. Your trip sounds amazing and I am sitting here dreaming of days of hiking and warmer temps. It looks like it was fall weather. I love that you all had so much family time together, yet you were out and about doing stuff and making memories. Also, that suspension bridge would have been a challenge for me. Eeek.
ReplyDeletebosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
What a wonderful getaway!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun family trip. That looks like such a fun place to visit. I would definitely be scared of that bridge too!
ReplyDeleteYou guys got to do so much in the time you were there!! I am so so glad that we got to meet!!!! I got your sweet card in the mail the other day. Zoe was like is that from your nice friend that I met?! When we were parting ways That day she said “I like her, she’s really nice.” Me too zoe, me too! We ended up at the island the next day and Zoe talked me into the Ferris wheel!!! I’m sure it wasn’t near as scary as the bridge, but between that and the switchbacks, I felt I conquered my fear some too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful retreat! I definitely need a cabin getaway in my future. Love that you were able to have this sweet time with family friend.
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! I haven't been to Gatlinburg in years! You've made me want to go back! Happy Monday, lady!
ReplyDeleteIsnt Gatlinburg just the best place? Do it all there. That's where we went for our Honeymoon too. I havent been back since the fire ravaged through & I want to see what's been damaged.
ReplyDeleteLove you & Nadine got to see each other. SO FUN!!!
What an incredibly fun trip. I would have been so scared on that bridge. I am not afraid of heights, but that bridge looked crazy. I have never been to Gatlingburg. Seems like a really cool place. I love that you and Nadine saw each other. So much fun to meet up with fellow bloggers!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a great trip; but I don't think I could have done that glass bridge. Kudos to you!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fun time & the pictures from the hike are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous time especially seeing where you eloped. AND OMG...that bridge. I'm not even scared of heights or anything, and I'm not sure I'd do it. Maybe if you were there with me.
ReplyDeleteXOOX
Jodie
Oh what absolute fun! So pretty and so much family time! What a freat end to the year
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you walking across that bridge! I would be scared to death, too! I was nice getting to see your extended family and Jay and his Sister! WOW! They DO look so much alike! Such a fun get away, especially when Gatlinburg holds such a special place in your hearts!
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave! That glass bottom bridge looks so scary! This trip looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThe trip looked so fun! Love all the family time! And you are braver than I - that bridge would freak me out!! Have a wonderful week my gorgeous friend! XO
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
OH my gosh, looks like a fantastic trip! So many fun things, and my legs would have been shaking on that bridge, holy cow, that seems like way too many people on it! haha :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteEEK! So much fun! you are making me want to plan a trip to Gatlinburg again!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing way to spend the holidays! I must say, you are look SO SASSY and cute in your leggings! Aren't they just the best?
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Been to Pigeon Forge and briefly in Galtinburg. Both are beautiful cities. I was amazed at the many activities available. Nice pics you have.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun getaway! Looks like you guys had a blast.
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
So nice to have quality family time like that. I love Gatlinburg and had to come to see your pics. Looks like you guys had loads of fun!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time. Family getaways are so good for everyone. Reconnecting and enjoying time together is so important. Thanks for sharing!
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