Gatlinburg, Tennessee
I believe in waterfalls. There is something so magical, peaceful and calming about a waterfall. After seeing Niagara Falls when I was in high school, I always had this desire in me to find a waterfall. I'm not even fixated on a huge one, it can be small and simple. I still find the sound of water rippling over rocks so incredibly peaceful that even the smallest ones make me stop just to have a quick listen. While I have visited Europe twice, I have not traveled as much as I would like. Being a single mom of two prevents me from seeing the world, but I have found that there is so much beauty around you if you actually take the time to stop and look.
I've visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee many times in my life and the older I get the more I appreciate the mountains, the trees, the water, the animals, sounds... everything. If you've never been, I highly recommend it. Stay in a chalet that is completely secluded from anyone, high up in the smokey mountains. Make sure the chalet has a log fireplace, a deck, and a rocking chair outside. Wake up early, make yourself some coffee, go outside on the deck with a blanket, sit and take a breath of the fresh, crisp air. Take in all the sounds of nature, sip on your coffee and close your eyes. There's something so powerful about being in the mountains. Once you have finished with your coffee, get ready to drive down to the welcome center and find some trails, preferably one with a waterfall or an amazing view. Being one of the first on a trail is well worth waking up early. Being alone with nature and having the sense of complete freedom is one of the most amazing feelings I've had.
I've visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee many times in my life and the older I get the more I appreciate the mountains, the trees, the water, the animals, sounds... everything. If you've never been, I highly recommend it. Stay in a chalet that is completely secluded from anyone, high up in the smokey mountains. Make sure the chalet has a log fireplace, a deck, and a rocking chair outside. Wake up early, make yourself some coffee, go outside on the deck with a blanket, sit and take a breath of the fresh, crisp air. Take in all the sounds of nature, sip on your coffee and close your eyes. There's something so powerful about being in the mountains. Once you have finished with your coffee, get ready to drive down to the welcome center and find some trails, preferably one with a waterfall or an amazing view. Being one of the first on a trail is well worth waking up early. Being alone with nature and having the sense of complete freedom is one of the most amazing feelings I've had.
There's something so exciting about hiking on a trail and knowing at the end you get this amazing prize of seeing a majestic waterfall. The light mist you feel on your face as you stare at it, the sound of the water crashing down, even now as I type this I can almost see and feel it. I read a quote once and I could not agree with it more, "I went into the woods, and came out taller than the trees." Just think about those words for a second...
So for me, it doesn't matter if you've traveled the world (while I may be jealous!) I know that even if I don't get the chance, I know there is so much beauty around me that most don't take the time to appreciate. Whether it's a flock of geese in the air, the sun rising in the clouds, airplanes making awesome lines in a perfectly clear blue sky, trees that are unique and old, leaves blowing and circling in the air, the sun shining and reflecting off water, or clouds that are so white and full that I can see pictures in them. My advice to anyone, whether they're a world traveler or not, is to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you on an every day basis. And when you do finally get a chance to travel, you will enjoy those sights even more.
-From the Bouncy and Bewitching Traveler
So for me, it doesn't matter if you've traveled the world (while I may be jealous!) I know that even if I don't get the chance, I know there is so much beauty around me that most don't take the time to appreciate. Whether it's a flock of geese in the air, the sun rising in the clouds, airplanes making awesome lines in a perfectly clear blue sky, trees that are unique and old, leaves blowing and circling in the air, the sun shining and reflecting off water, or clouds that are so white and full that I can see pictures in them. My advice to anyone, whether they're a world traveler or not, is to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you on an every day basis. And when you do finally get a chance to travel, you will enjoy those sights even more.
-From the Bouncy and Bewitching Traveler
