Smoky Mountains Tennessee - August 2022

Wow where has the summer went!? I knew it would go fast … but this seemed like the fastest summer ever! We are a week into August and only 12 days away from the first day of school! 🤯 You all know we like to squeeze in one more trip before back to school!

Last winter we scheduled us a camping trip in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee! So are you ready for 8 nights in the mountains!!? We know we are! Let's go!

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FRIDAY

GOOD MORNING!! Today is the day.. David is working until noon … and I am home with the 3 kids… no food or clothes are in the camper yet 😬… I’m supposed to be ready when he get’s home.. what is happening!?

So I tried to fit more than I could do yesterday... realizing the back to school bash is the day after we return.. the 3 kids and I went school shopping and vacation shopping all in the same day.. WELL .. here’s how that went.. we got the main clothing necessities that we were in need of anyway… backpacks, undies, socks, and a few random shirts/shorts…way too long in TJ Maxx! .. oh it’s time for lunch.. then off to get school supplies… umm.. now we have 20 minutes to get all the food to pack into the camper 😱.. why only 20 minutes.. we have to make it back in time for hair cuts .. did I really schedule my day like this .. I am impressed we got done what we did… and the most important items were taken care of … as for food for the trip.. we got a boat load of junk that the kids picked out… no meat.. no fruit.. no veggies.. no milk or yogurt.. I don’t think we got anything on my list for meals.. 🤔oh well it’s time to go!…

Anyway!! I did one thing right last week! I pre-made a few things to stick in the freezer!! We do have frozen GF Zuchinni breads, GF cherry hand pies, GF Banana Walnut muffins, Homemade GF waffles, Almond flour waffles, Grandma’s Molasses cookies! At least that will save me some time later in the trip!

I am up early and get a good bit of food like spices, sauces, oatmeal and usuals from the house packed before the kids wake up.. then Luke was helpful by entertaining Lynlee while I loaded up clothes, bath bag, and all the other extras I have put together.

David is home right on time..and I’m not quite ready.. almost.. we finish loading up and 1:55PM we are loaded down and on the road!!

Well… we didn’t even make it 20 minutes from the house and there is the rain! … Charleston, WV it is raining so hard we are going 30mph with flashers on… 👀

Clears up until we get to Princeton… and there it is again.. downpour! .. We are really hoping there’s no leaks in the camper with it raining this hard! 😬

Are we there yet!? Not yet.... Are we there yet!? Not yet!

9:30PM 😅finally we arrive at Clabough’s Campground on Wears Valley.. set up and settle in for the next 5 nights!

The boys want to swim.. sorry boys but we are tired and the pool closes soon...we are resting tonight. So not much more to report today!!

GOODNIGHT💤

A little sneak peak of photos from around the campground:

Our lot:

Couldn't put our awning out due to the tree... not much room for the fire pit.. squeeze the table between our camper & truck..We had to keep the camper at the back of the pad in order for hook ups to reach. We enjoyed our stay don't get me wrong, our site worked just fine for us.. however, I don't think it should be considered a premium site!

What other premium lots look like:

And once again I searched for a place with a lazy river ... in the spring we were in Georgia at Creekfire Resort with an awesome lazy river that was closed for maintenance... and surprise!.. the lazy river at Clabough's is under construction..took the old one that was pictures on their website out..

I'm striking out on getting to float in a lazy river this year! Looks like it will be nice once finished!

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SATURDAY

Sun is shining!! However, there’s a good chance of rain/thunderstorms throughout the day..

First off I need to go on a grocery run for our main foods! … The kids are still in bed.. David is keeping them at the camper while I head to Aldi .. 5 miles up the road.

9:00am off to Aldi for groceries… 25 minutes later.. arrive! Love that Wears Valley left lane traffic!

10:15am This is my favorite Aldi! It just has everything fresh. Ok, got what we needed for now and heading back.. need to stop at Walmart too …

11:00am 😅 made it back! Kids are all up and outside checking out Walden’s creek right across from our camper! Ready to swim!?? Hurry mom we've been waiting forever!

Get the cold food put away and leave the rest in bags for now! Let’s go swimming!!

… make it to the pool.. clouds are moving in.. it’s ok if it is just rain…according to the radar we are on the edge of all the rain..

Well we made it about an hour into swimming then there’s lightening.. we head over to the pavilion to chill fireside..

A short walk back to the camper for lunch..Sis and I take a little time to paint our toes up for the week!

5:00pm.. back to the pool!!

The boys ride bikes around the campground.. play at the playground... they love the giant jump pad!

Hayden rides a little, then fishes in the creek.. then back to his bike.. back to fishing, over and over again!

Luke, well we all know he's building a fire... rides his bike around picking up sticks... brings them back and stacks them for the fire... over and over again!

9:00pm, I head over to the Fitness center.. I've finally gotten on a good workout routine (1st time since having Lynlee) feeling stronger and don't want to let it go on vaca as I usually do.. as we are kinda on vaca mode all the time! ... 2 miles on the elliptical! 😅 and then a 20 minute workout.. good to go!

As I was working out David has decided to rent a pontoon with a tube on Douglas Lake ... tomorrow morning! Yay!

Well we better get rested before our half day on the lake!!

GOODNIGHT 💤

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SUNDAY

7:00AM Rise and Shine!! A little cloudy this morning … Waffles and yogurt for breakfast and then off to Smoky Mountain Lake Adventures!

9:20AM Loaded up and heading out to explore the lake .. Yes, this is the lake our vacation home is being built on! So it is time to explore the lake from the water! ... let's find our property! It is a little cloudy but clearing out and the sun is peeking through!

Here we go! This lake is pretty large.. let's hope we don't get lost!...

Looking like our house is straight ahead and then into a cove on the right!

😍... Heading into the cove.. around those trees to the right we go!...

The sun is starting to shine and warming up nicely for our boat ride!... Making the water such pretty colors!.. we are here...

Our property is up on top of this hill, house is facing us! Now it's time for tubing adventures!

David is all about swirving and making it rough... he will do circles until you fall off... there's no relaxing cruising on a tube here 🤪 just HOLD ON!!!

Lynlee... she's had all she can take of the boat riding... 😴

After 4 hours of fun on the lake it's time to head back to dock.

1:30PM docking the pontoon, and we are off to find lunch!!…Oh wait! First a quick stop by our propety to see the excavation that has been done.

We haven’t stopped by since March when nothing was green yet.. me the anti-fall person (I hate to see the green go for winter..).. yay love the summertime view!

Ok we are all starving after all the boating this morning.. LET’S EAT!! 11 miles down the road we are trying out Aubrey’s Restaurant!

Food was delish! Feeling a bit revived after all that sunshine on the water.

Now we are on to explore the Ogle Furniture outlet!! We've drove past many times and it looks huge ... we are looking for unique decor for our #bettingeralpineescape ... So many different things in here.. like a little of everything! Some are good deals.. other things not so much or at least not what I am looking for. It is a place I'd go back without my kiddos to look around!

... I don't remember what was happening here.. but this is when I decided it was time to get them out of the furniture store!!

We head back to the camground to hang out.. and relax for the evening..Hayden is fishing in Walden's Creek.. The rest of us went to the pool for a bit ... and then relaxed by Luke's fire.

Lynlee loves cruising around on her little bike... she gets it off road in the rocks, pops wheelies and all!

9:00pm I am headed back to the fitness center!! It's been a busy day but not giving in.. another 2 miles on the elliptical and 20 minute workout!

Time for showers and a good nights rest!!

GOODNIGHT!! 💤

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MONDAY

Rise and shine!! Breakfast skillet kinda morning!! Taking it easy today… We’ll meet our project manager at our property this afternoon for an update.

Hayden.. yea he’s still over there fishing.. Luke has been riding his bike up and down the road collecting sticks for his fire.. Lynlee rides her little bike all around the concrete pad. I'm getting used to this sitting around thing... this isn't usual for me!??

11:30am we head over to the Nike Outlet at Tanger to find all 3 kiddos tennis shoes 😳 .. the boys need them when we get back for school!

Well.. Nike, Under Armor, Reebok, and Adidas outlet.. we found sis shoes and that’s all.. time to head out to our property .. we’ll find shoes later!

About a 20 minute drive from Wears Valley and we are there! Discuss some details and 45 minutes later we are good for now! I'll leave all those details for my Alpine Escape blogs!

Head back towards Pigeon Forge down Veterans Boulevard.. There is Smoky Mountain Espresso..

I tried an iced raspberry latte with oatmilk.. it was ok..not bad, Sorry Smoky Mountain Espresso, but not one of my top picks from the area. However, their prices are much more reasonable than most! Kids got frozen hot chocolates and David had a vanilla creme frozen.. they were amazing! The place was cozy inside! AND there is a Sweet Frog attached if your looking for another sweet treat!

We head on over to the Mountain Mile, There is another Nike store.. let's see if we have any luck finding these boys school shoes. Luke finds some bright red shoes.. they are only $30 and he likes them.. looks great to me!.. Otherwise, we give up on Hayden..he doesn't see anything he likes.. I don't think he knows what he likes!? After he tried on 20 pair or more.. I'm not wasting anymore vaca time shopping for shoes! .. He can order online.

And there's another store we've drove by so much and I've never went in... The Old Tyme Pottery ...this is a home goods store.. of coarse the rest of the family doesn't want to go! So they give me some time to wander around... I didn't spend a lot of time just enough to take a loop around... I don't want to spend all day shopping so I’ll be back again!! This would be a good place to come look around for random deals no specific to the area on a rainy day!

We're thinking about doing Lumberjack Adventure Park.. Hayden wants to fish and Luke wants to go back to the campground.. ok then that is already paid for fun.. I'm good with it.. so we are skipping the Lumberjack adventure park for now. I'm really surprised they are skipping this fun but not disappointed in saving the $$!

Ok Ok … let's get back to the campground for an afternoon swim! & I should do a little laundry!

I love Hibachi .. the kids don't, so we don't get to eat at a Hibachi grill often... Here we are cooking our own version on the blackstone.. not quite as tasty as the real thing, but the other pluses of enjoying the evening at the camground and cooking outside make up for it!

Grandma's Molasses cookies for dessert..

Luke has got his fire going and we are going to enjoy the evening fireside! We'll catch up tomorrow!

GOODNIGHT💤

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TUESDAY

Rise and Shine!! It is hot and sunny … really hot actually.. perfect day for Dollywood’s Splash Country!!! … well there is a 50% chance of rain/thunderstorms ..

Get a good filling breakfast so we are water slide ready!!

11:00am we are in the gates.. 🥵 please let me get wet!! The boys can’t wait to get wet..

It is CRAZY BUSY.. of coarse it would be now that either Dollywood Theme Park OR Splash Country is open during the week.. 😒

I head to the fire water station for Luke and Lynlee while David and Hayden try to hit a few slides…

Luke rides a few slides, Lynlee isn’t a fan of all the spraying water everywhere you look!

Head on around the back to the Cascades.. just so busy, adults sitting all over the kids play toys in the water!? Come on we’re adults.. sit in the pool or on the edge!? Really!? … play here about 15-20 minutes ..

Luke is ready for big slides.. head over to the center of the slides to find David and Hayden.. sit and have a snack while looking..

.. hmm .. don’t see them yet.. Decide to take a loop around the lazy river..

Luke gets in before I'm ready.. there he goes! I can't catch him while holding Lynlee and looking for me a tube.. I'm telling him to wait.. he's yelling "I can't!" .. Now he's almost around the first turn .. out of his tube because his shorts came untied.. life guard is blowing her whistle at him.. his tube is floating away..he has no idea they are blowing their whistle at him.. there’s people tube to tube and I have Lynlee on my lap trying to get to him.. There's no way possible way I can get to him..Thankfully, another lady helped him back into his tube and she lost her family as they kept floating.. THANK YOU MAM!!

Well now we are about half way around the lazy river.. that hasn’t been very relaxing.. 😅

Back to the entrance there’s David and Hayden waiting on us.. the racer slides by the entrance have no line.. get to ride those 2 times..it is 1:20pm and the boys are hungry!!

A meal is included with each ticket so we head to the Dog’s and taters stand for David and Hayden.

Luke runs over to play on the fire station play area while we wait in quite a line.. within a couple minutes they blow whistles and clear all water attractions due to lightening being spotted within a 10 mile radius.. however.. clear blue skies is all we see! 😒.. it’s ok we are getting lunch anyway.. hopefully it’ll pass soon..

Luke and I get Nachos from the Watering Hole .. 😋 Mountain Nachos are on the Gluten Free list and they are delish!

We find chairs in under a pavilion at the wave pool to chill in while waiting … an hour later all clear!! The boys run into the wave pool to get wet… maybe 5 minutes..

What Lynlee thinks of sitting poolside...

She has cute little brown sunglasses that she refuses to wear... ☹️

Hayden, Luke, and I take off up the steps to the raging rapids slide! … half way up.. there’s another whistle .. attention … clear all water attractions lightening has been spotted in a 10 mile radius….

Well we have over $200 in tickets for our family today.. we don’t want to be out all that for the 3 slides Hayden rode and we piddled around the pool areas.. so we wait..

A little over an hour later .. still lightening and thunder in the area.. however, hasn’t rained a drop here yet.. we are sitting in the sweltering heat.. 🥵

You can tell they are over it..dippin dots isn't helping as we sit poolside in the heat ... 😩

Announcement: the park is not closing, but you can get rain checks good through the end of August this year.

We are OUT!

4:00pm Pack up and head out! .. get our rain checks from the ticket booth, and we are headed back to the camper.

Originally we planned on staying at Splash Country until closing, and I was going to get ready at the shower house for dinner.. we are only 4.5 miles from the campground so it’s easier to head back to the camer to get ready.

6:00pm we head out to see what we want for dinner.. kids are wanting pizza.. Smoky Mountain Brewery (Pigeon Forge Location)! We drive down the strip most of the way.. back up the strip to Sevierville downtown.. looking to see what we might find different.. and then we all agree on the Brewery. .. like right beside Wears Valley.. where we are camping 😂.. oh well we got to see what else was new since our last trip!

You walk past the Lumberjack Adventure park to get to the Smoky Mountain Brewery.. the boys…" I want to do it.. that looks so fun.. can we do it now!?" It's a 2 hour thing .. we don't have 2 hours right now to do it.. Really but yesterday it wasn't cool!? .. um.. sorry, no not now! We’ll see later in the week or next time at this point! I knew that was going to happen..

Dinner was yum as always at the Brewery! I think as far as I can remember this was our first time to eat at the Pigeon Forge location. Love us some live music and pizza!

Alright, back to the camper for Ice cream & Homemade Cherry Pies for dessert! The ones I mentioned earlier..that I made before we left and stuck them in the freezer..

9:30pm I'm headed back to the fitness center!! 😅the rest are enjoying another fire..

We are calling it a day!

GOODNIGHT 💤

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WEDNESDAY

Good morning!! Bright sunny day!! Breakfast sandwiches this morning.. we’ll be hanging out until noon then heading on over to Townsend for the rest of our week!

While we are fixin breakfast Hayden is fishing across the road in the creek catching blue gill, bass, and a bullhead catfish! Oh look, there's a turtle!

Time to finish packing up and head out!

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Welcome to Little Arrow Resort, Townsend, TN!

Nice drive across Wears Valley.. into Townsend .. Little Arrow Resort 😍.. Our site is right on the Little River!! This is what I have been waiting on.. the peaceful side of the mountain!!

❤️ mountain rivers ❤️

1:00pm we are all set up and ready for 3 more nights! (booked this site in November last year.. had to cancel the 4th night to be home for a football scrimmage😔)

Walk around to check out the campground..

then head over to the amazing pool! There’s a pool with waterfall, cool plunge pool that overflows into the main pool, splash pad area with waterfalls, and an ADULTS ONLY hot tub area!

Hayden is ready to river fish … it wasn’t long and here he comes with a broken rod, Luke’s pole not his of coarse! ...and here comes the rain they’ve been calling for!

While it is raining we take a drive on over to Little River Outfitters here in Townsend to see if we can find a new rod. Hayden has a little birthday money he saved to bring on vacation..

One of the employee's was super helpful on giving Hayden tips on bait to use for trout, when to fish and where. Unfortunately, we expected but it isn’t a good time of year for trout fishing with the levels being lower and the tubers on the river. Under the bridge of the entrance to our campground is one of the best spots to try.

Luke in the meantime..

Hayden bought trout bait, but didn’t find a new rod that he wanted. This is a fly fishing shop so they have more fly fishing rather than what we are looking for.

We drive on down to Apple Valley Village to the SMOC… Yay, finally found myself sandals that fit with arch support! but no fishing gear here.

Drive back towards our campground and stop at Ace Hardware.. Hayden finds a decent rod and reel .. now he’s ready to get back to fishing!

Back to the pool for a few.. found a cabana to chill in.. Lynlee knows how to vaca.. 😂

Finish the evening off with a fire...

Well that’s a wrap for today.. we are to bed early to get up and attempt #2 of Splash Country with a good chance of rain again tomorrow afternoon.. but the only other day they are open while we are here.. so will try it!!

GOODNIGHT💤

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THURSDAY

7:00am .. up early let’s try this again!! 9:10am .. I am stopping at for Artistic Bean coffee to drink on the way!! Iced Mocha Latte it is today! 😋

About 20 miles .. a 35-40 minute drive to Splash Country today compared to 10 minutes Tuesday..

10:00AM we are in the park.. RUNN… Run to all the slides you want to ride before the crowd and rain gets here!

Hayden goes to the twister bowl.. David and Lynlee wait for him while Luke and I head to the tube slides!

We walk right up and on the slides 2 times with no line! .. There comes David and Hayden .. he rode the twister and the orange slide.. David, Hayden, and Luke take off on the tube slides…

Then we head back to the mat slides for David, Hayden, and Luke.. The only slides I will no longer ride in the park! I’ve gotten skinned up knees too many times on those ones!!

While waiting...Someone thinks it is snack time already..

This is so nice.. all of that and I think it is only 11 maybe a few minutes after.. the sun isn’t beaming us today.. it’s warm enough we aren’t cold but also not sweltering.. perfect weather!

We head over to the Lazy River and make 2 laps all together.. wow! This is so much better today! You can actually float alone not tube to tube!!

Lynlee sees the new splash pad area that is in the center of the Lazy River and she wants to see it!! We head over so she can run around.. she really isn’t a fan of this park with all the water spraying in her face!

Hayden is ready for the fire towers!

David and Hayden coming down the Fire Towers..

The lines are getting longer.. so we head on over to the Cascades for Lynlee to run around and play.. Luke wants to swim.

The line is better.. Mom and Hayden’s turn for the Fire Towers!

I have viedos of us coming down Fire Towers, they won't load so hopefully someday I can get them on here!

Hayden and Luke want to ride the plunge slide. David takes Lynlee to the wave pool while we wait in line..

10 minutes later.. we are still at the bottom of the steps and the line doesn’t seem to be moving much..

We take off to the raging rapids slide.. the line isn’t too bad… at least it keeps moving.. maybe a 15 minute wait and we are on!!

The boys love it! That feels faster than it looks for sure.. of coarse mom is the biggest here so I get to ride backwards the entire slide…makes it better yet when you don’t see what’s coming!!

Ok.. it’s now 1:30pm.. the kids are good, they’ve gotten to ride all of the slides between both days .. except the water coaster that is a favorite... it has heen closed ☹️. We are hungry and used our meal tickets Tuesday.. we make a mutual decision to head out. ..

We’ve all voted for Mel’s Diner for lunch!

They talked us into dessert again...

and then we head back to Townsend to get back to our peaceful part of the vaca!!

Kids want to play in the little river ..the water is 🥶.. I thought I would get in.. I don't know how they are swimming! My feet in the water is far enough for me!

David and Hayden decide to try our pump up boats on the river... they are excellent for the river.. much better than the lake that we tried earlier this summer!

Lynlee loves her bike rides too..

There is the rain they were calling for this afternoon… a good time to make a grocery run.. to the IGA for milk & yogurt restock.

It's warm, no lightening or thunder so the kids are playing in the rain, throwing rocks in the river, fishing... rain doesn't stop them!

Rain is moving out..David takes boys to the pool. Lynlee and I hang at the camper cooking steaks and sweet potatoes on the grill!

and the usual laundry doesn't stop on Vaca! ... At least they have a super clean and comfy laundry room here!

Luke kept his wood dry under the camper... now it's time to stack it for a fire! We'll be hanging out by the fire listening to the river flowing!

GOODNIGHT💤

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FRIDAY

Good morning!! No rain in the forcast today!!! Nothing but bright mountain sunshine coming our way!

Camping with the sound of the little river flowing by calls for fried potatoes and Tennessee Pride sausage for breakfast!

Next, We are off as a family for a bike ride on the Greenway Trail.. down to the intersection of 321.

Ride off the trail just a bit to check out the river..

I can still see them in the distance on their electric bikes while I'm back here getting a true biking experience with all my fuel and pedaling!

I got this!! ... Little Arrow doesn't have a fitness room.. who needs an elliptical when you can bike or hike anywhere in Townsend!! Make sure I get my miles in today!

Turn around to ride back.. we saw a bike trail in the distance .. the boys want to check it out!

Vee Hollow Trails, 14 mile mountain bike trail network! FREE to ride, however, you must sign wavier and have helmets! You can also hike the trails.

Once you cross the pedestrian bridge there is a trail map with all the waivers and details.

We decided to see what kind of trail it was and it is awesome!!! This is Hayden's dream land! The boys start riding around in a section we can see.. not even thinking about the helmet thing and we weren’t trying to not abide the rules.. the excitement took over and didn’t even realize it! and yes really it is a place you should have helmets for safety so I am glad that they enforce it!

Thankfully, a guy was mowing and ask us nicely if we had helmets and if not that we leave. We apologized and left.. we will be bringing helmets and returning soon!!! Sorry!!

As you exit the trail beside the gravel parking lot there is a Burger Master and Ice cream!! We don’t need food as we just ate BUT ice cream sounds amazing to cool down after our bike riding!

A quick stop to checkout the Dogwood Mall, looking for more #bettingeralpineescape goodies and then back to the campground..

It’s only 1:00pm so how about another swim! We can’t get enough swimming this week!

We got a visitor!! ...

3:40PM .. time to shower and get ready for an evening in Gatlinburg.. we’ve been here all week and haven’t made it to Gatlinburg yet 😱!

Take a stroll down the strip..

Kids want to check out the giant green chair beside the Anakeesta Lift...

Yes, this girl has one mean mug!! No worries, she'll hold her own! Start walking back up the strip.. what's for dinner tonight!? 🤔

Kids are all set on another pizza night.. mom not so much .. but it isn't worth getting food they won't eat . sooo... here we go ...

They win, as usual! Now, I ate here a while back and wasn't impressed ... today it was pretty good!!

Ol’Smoky candy kitchen for me… a few dark chocolates for a sweet snack. The boys want the Sweet store.. $25.00 and they don’t even have nearly half a bag!! YEA, boys that was your last stop at that store.. That is the worst value for money we have ever spent.. I should of taken pictures of what we had.. we could of gotten 2 huge bags of candy at walmart for $9.99 each and still not spent $25!!! They didn’t even have enough to fill 1/4 of 1 -$9.99 bag!! 🤯 I think I would of told the guy to keep it 🤷🏼‍♀️.. but David bought it as he was thinking is this really $25!?

10:00pm.. time to head back to Townsend.. We decide to take the longer of the routes .. travel the strip of Gatlinburg, through the spur, Pigeon Forge Parkway to Wears Valley to cross back over to Townsend. There isn’t much traffic at all so it was a nice drive.. if traffic was bad we would of went the way we came in which is the best way during the daylight!!

We are all ready for bed BUT not ready to head home tomorrow!! 😢

GOODNIGHT💤

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SATURDAY

Rise and Shine it’s time to pack up to go home! 😩 Well the school sent out a message this week.. school isn’t starting until Sept 6! Leave us here with the camper and come back next week to get us!! PLEASE!!

11:30am.. we are loaded up and heading out of Townsend back across Wears Valley.. traffic is stopped right before Wears Valley due to an accident.. held up for about 30 minutes.. see this isn't looking good.. we should of stayed...well they cleared the road and now we are back on our way..

One more meal here before hitting the road!! The Applewood Farmhouse Grill!

A yummy lunch, And … 1:40pm we are on the road to home!!

It has been nothing short of an amazing week as usual here in Tennessee!! I’m sure we will be back sooner than later!! Until next time..

Thanks for Reading!!❤️

Disclaimer: My full throttle blogs are for entertainment purposes only. These are my families stories to share for fun, and our opinions only. I am not giving professional advise or recommendations. Thank you for reading!