...continued

After venturing through Cade's Cove, and on our way out, Jimmy decided to pull off and take a nice little hiking trip to end the day! Needless to say we litterally ended the day hiking! ha ha We started off and it was nice and completly secluded deep within one of the smokies, I started to get really nervous and envisioned us on one of those tv shoes "when vacations attack" and was thinking every terrible think as we were on this hike and getting further and further into the thick of the path. Luckily for me, I have the best man ever whom calmed me down and said " you really think I would let a bear eat you in front of me?" ha ha needless to say his little pep talk and the fact that I know he would let the bear eat him first before me encouraged me to push onward!!
-This hike (which I hate hiking) turned into a 7 mile hike and basically ALL UPHILL!!! (i'm sweating and flustered re-thinking this) we continued, and continued, and continued on this wretched path and finally came to a breaking point with signs informing you of which path to continue on. Well unfortunately the genius husband of mine had no idea what path we were on in the first place!! So myself, being the smart one of the pair ;), whipped out my phone and whattya know one lonely spot we had service!! Opened up MAPS and found the road in which are car was parked! (YAY!!!) Jimmy was persistant we go on the path that was going AWAY from the road and I said no way we've already been walking forever why would we walk away from the road?!?!?

Wellllll... We concluded that Jim was probably right- we are not entirely sure because my idea of heading towards the road was not good! Upon reaching the road, our car was no where in sight (I was pooped at this point) whipped out that lovely map again and realized we needed to walk along the road, UPHILLl.... that walk uphill turned into exactly 2.1 miles after our 3hr hike in the mountains... We were so0o incredibly exhausted and I don't think I have ever been as excited to see my baby civic before in my entire life!! =)

After a much needed relaxing Hot Tub date- we got ready and headed for Gatlinburg for the evening. We stopped by "The Ole Moonshine" factory had a few samples and man o man that stuff is strong!! Not something I would ever spend money on!! We did a little wine tasting too and man homemade wine is much better than that Kroger kind we get;) ha ha
-Consumed dinner at Mellow Mushroom, which was extra yummy considering I am pretty sure we burnt off 2days worth of calories from our hike earlier in the day.

And ended the evening in ME, yup thats right ME beating jimmy twice in some billiards!! I made some pretty awesome shots which I know I could never do again even if I tried. Thats what you get for being so confident Mr. Moyer!! ;) DEFEAT!!

Friday-

We ventured off to Clingman's Dome for the majority of the day- We knew we had to be back atleast by 3 as we had dinner reservations so after sleeping in (exhausted from our hike the day before) we had roughly 4hrs to explore.

The trip up to clingmans dome (via car) would take an hour. We would travel to the highest point in Tenneessee. Again there were multiple "pull-offs" along the way to sight see and take pictures! In which we took our ritual "O-H-I-O" pictures. However, we each only do the "O-H-I" because then we each have an "O" to make up the picture we need. Anndd we got lots of chuckles from people and "OOO i see in OHIO they can't spell" hardy har har...

Anywho- we finally made it all the way to the top (so i thought) and it was so0o0o incredibly windy we each put on a few extra layers! Crazy how it was sunny and hot and then on top of the mountain windy, no sun and "smoky" I then realized exactly why it was called the Smoky Mountains =) (go ahead and laugh, it's ok)
-So we then had a .5 mile walk up to the top, (no big deal right) RIGHT... This was litterally straight uphill and after that hike the day before our bodies were a little sore, tender, fatigued, and definately feeling old and out of shape! and I found myself completly "sucking air" as if I was dieing ha ha the change in climate and elevation really messed with my breathing. Jim got quite a good laugh out of it! and finally we made it to the top!!! You know I think it all would have been worth it if you could have  actually seen someting!! Nothing, I mean nothing not even the SUN!! Everything was very dead looking, desilate and just not taken care of but atleast we can say we have been to Clingman's Dome, 6600ft the highest point in Tenneessee!!

On our travel home, we stopped to hike to Bluff's cave- we didn't make it, too long of a hike and only 40minute allowance due to dinner. We took lots of pretty pictures of streams, waterfalls and the scenery. Then it was time to venture back and get ready for the DIXIE STAMPEDE!!

The Dixie Stampede was absolutely AWESOME, I want to go again!! I know Talan and Reese would love it and if we went back this time next year Maylynn will be almost 2 and I know she would love it too! It was awesome, you were fed a 4 course meal and you had to consume everything my fingers/hands. The elderly couple beside us, obviously wasn't there first rodeo ;) brought plastic silverwear! So cute! Everything was delicious, the show was spectacular and just an awesome evening!

Jim wanted to do a little putt putt, which I am always up for a little competition (plus i was feeling bad for beating him at billiards) He unfortunately ended up beating me by 3 strokes, rightfully so I mean golf is his thing, not mine. YET anyways! However, I did have 2 hole in ones! =)

Saturday-
Unfortunately today we had to check out by 10am- so we packed up and were headed home but we had one last stop!!!
I had been dieing to do horseback riding and Jim agreed to do so!! I was super excited and couldn't wait! The stables didn't open up till 10am so luckily for me the Tanger outlets was litterally right across the street! and we had roughly 45minutes to spend! Jimmy being the courteous choufer that he is, just happened to pull into NIKE outlet first! ha ha a man after my heart and SOLE ;) ;)

Anyone who knows me, the avid tennishoe lover, obsessed with tennishoes always wanting new and anyone who knows jimmy, the frugal, green eyed monster NO lover =) For the 9yrs, that we have been together Jimmy has not once, ever supported or agreed on my tennishoe obsession let alone ever approve or me buying new ones. He had the same pair of tennishoes for like 3yrs and mind you they looked 10yrs old. Where my tennishoes all look nice and new because I have plenty to alternate =) Anywho, JIMMY AGREED, APPROVED and bought me tennishoes!!!! I'm not sure what I was more excited about my new nike's or the fact that it only took 9yrs for my husband to tell me YES!! ha ha
So back to Horseback riding. as thrilled as I was, the closer I got to these magnificent creatures I became a little frightened! These things are HUGE, and I am just a litttllleee bit scared of heights. Ok a lot scared! I finally got on one for the "inexperienced rider"  whose name was River... She was pleseant and the ride was enjoyable and soooo incredbily peaceful!! My horse struggled and made me feel uncomfortable going down hills, she needed a little motivation and I continually felt as though any minute my poor horse legs were going to buckle and would just be a chain reaction. I liked to think of her "limp" or difficulty going down hill as the swagger limp lol Jim said that if I had seen my horse do this that there would be no way I would be on that horse. We made it back in once piece thankfully and i enjoyed it! Would love to do it again- even peeked an interest and had be daydreaming of actually having my own horse! =)

We had a wonderful trip, so much fun, so many memories that I couldn't imagine spending it with anyone else or anywhere else. I am looking forward to many more adventures with the man of my life, my best friend.. My husband!! Happy 1yr Anniversary babe!