It Has Been A Busy Summer

 Seems like we haven't slept in our beds much this summer.  We have been serious road warriors.  Here are a few highlights!

Cassie dropped Alaire off for the annual Wam/Pap trip, and we had breakfast at their favorite bagel shop.

And we are headed to the Smokies.

The dogs are traveling too.  They are going to Cassie's for Doggie Daycare.

She has taken on more than she knows.  This might be their last Doggie Daycare experience at her house.

Alaire's first-ever experience at Buc-ee's!  We were both impressed with the potty patrol telling us how to line up and wait our turn!

Our first elk sighting in Cherokee, NC.

Our home away from home for the week.  It was lovely, but up a very steep, skinny, gravel mountain road.

The views were breathtaking!!

night view

We really enjoyed the screened-in porch.  

The Sky Box

the chairs

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!

And this place even more!!

We finished one of the hardest puzzles I have ever attempted.

chillin' under the house in our hammocks

rock painting

Alaire taught us a new card game...SEVEN.

slow progress

Alaire loves creekin!

And she loves a good cairn challenge.

Oh, Pappy, I don't think you will ever get Amanda to try anything ever again.

Back to Darnell Farms again!

What do you do on a rainy day?  We finish puzzles and leave them there for the owner to share with the other families that come to the mountain.

Just one of our little bumps in the road...a nail in the tire.

Last stop for the year at Darnell Farms.  I will miss this place, but I follow them on IG, and I think you should too.

Traveling to the quiet side of the mountain to Townsend, TN.

Pappy has always wanted to stop at the Mingus Grist Mill.

Our little rustic cabin in Townsend, TN

We found a nice coffee shop...The Dancing Bean.

I love this idea!

One of two swinging bridges.

a covered bridge

another puzzle

Pappy even helped on this one.  One slight problem...the last piece was

missing.  We have no idea where it was hiding, but in the morning, when we were putting the puzzle away, it magically appeared in the puzzle.  What is your guess?  Alaire and I have our suspicions.

It was fun to be reminded of all the National Parks that we have visited.  A trip down memory lane.

We painted every rock that we had.

Another Coffee Shop stop.

Alaire taught me something new on my phone.  Hope I can remember how to do it later when I need it.

We picked up some new creekin' shoes at the KOA gas station.

She could do this all day long!  I love putting my feet in the creek, watching her, and taking nature shots.

OH my gosh!  We just happened upon the Appalachian Bear Rescue.  Alaire doesn't seem too thrilled about it, but she decided it was cool.  Of course, we went in, and I asked a million questions.  The volunteer was so helpful.  So much so, I got her card.  I'm hoping that Wammyville will sometime want to go to the KOA for a long weekend and visit the rescue.  She said that she would put together a program for us.

Check out this bear's name...Ellis!

Another coffee stop before we head home.  Hey Mellert, what do you think about this game?  Remind you of anything?

Grumpy Pappy is ready to make the trek home.

Alaire is all set and ready to go.  I think she is finding us a new book.  We listened to a lot of books this trip.

We say goodbye to the Smokies, but we will be back sometime in the fall.  I can hardly wait to see and feel the difference.