Two Blondes, a Boston Terrier and a Wil

We went to Gatlinburg for our 7 year anniversary trip earlier in January. We rented a cabin in the mountains, only about 5 minutes from Gatlinburg's city center. I can't wait to go back. Staying in a cabin high in the mountains was incredibly awesome. We had a fireplace, 2 hot tubs and all the privacy and quietness of being up in the mountains. There were cabins all around us, but they did a good job of building each cabin so you felt like you had your own private place. Having the kitchen was great because we cooked all our suppers in the cabin. Lots of popcorn and spaghetti. It was super relaxing and a wonderful way to start 2011.

Our view from the porch of the cabin at sunset.

We spent a lot of time playing in the park and shopping downtown.

Strolling along one of their "scenic trails" - there were tons of families all over the park playing in the snow and building snowmen.

My handsome date for the trip.

The snow was just gorgeous and literally covered the ground like a sparkling blanket.

More hiking and posing for photos.

We hiked up to Laurel Falls to see it in the snow. We've been up there before a few years ago when it wasn't covered in snow and ice. The icicles here were amazing.

Matt the unicorn.

Ashley the unicorn.

Cabin in Cade's Cove.

Exploring the cabins.

More exploring and talking about how it would be to actually live in these cabins.

Snow piled up in the parking area.

Cade's Cove, 2011.

Goofing around in Cade's Cove. I found these sunglasses in an old drug store in Pigeon Forge. I was killing time while Matt used the WiFi at McDonald's to do a little work. They are Jordache and I'm pretty sure they're an original 80's item. Totally awesome to wear and are super comfortable.

Matt got some air, me...not so much. :-)

Goofing off with the self timer.

He can jump pretty high.

I'm getting there. Had to bring back the old Jr. High Cheerleader arm swing to help my momentum.

Church in Cade's Cove

Me and Matt.

Love this view. Such a peaceful place.

Cars kept slowing down so people could take photos of these deer. I was laughing at that since I see deer everywhere in rural Florida. But I joined them in snapping pictures to practice with my zoom lens.

Frozen waterwheel at the Cade's Cove Mill.

Our cabin at sunset.

Driving up to Clingman's Dome.

Piles of snow at the top of the mountain.

I hiked a small portion of the Appalachian Trail

Smoky Mountains in the background.

Playing on the rocks at the Chimney's.

I couldn't have imagined a better vacation. We rented a sweet Buick Enclave with heated seats and 4-wheel drive. Not cheap but a nice splurge. It was mainly to keep up safe and I'm pretty sure without it we would have been hiking to our cabin. The roads were pretty icy and slick that first night and we slid around even with the 4 wheel drive. Luckily I drove it up the mountain at night. I had limited sight on the sides of the road and that was a good thing. I think if I had seen the steep drop-offs on either side of the road I would have been much more nervous and not as careful of a driver.

Gatlinburg is one of my favorite places. I love the campy tourist traps and shops, I love how even since I was in middle school the place hasn't changed very much. I love the mountain air, the trees and the bluegrass music we always listen to when we're driving out to Cade's Cove.

It was good we had such a relaxing vacation because as soon as we got back the craziness started. Matt got sick with a bad cold/flu, we started packing for a move, I got sick with the same crud and we tried to empty an apartment and decorate a house. Before and after photos coming soon!