This has probably been one of the strangest summers of my life.
What was supposed to be two weeks at my grandparents home in North Carolina before moving to our home in Tennessee, has turned into two MONTHS at my grandparents home while we house hunted, finally found and are now waiting to close on our house right down the street.
And the waiting has been interesting because, while Derek has started work (praise God!), I have been kind of floating, for lack of a better term, not quite sure how to set a routine but still trying to enjoy my “long vacation”.
So anywho, we’ve tried our best to enjoy the down time and take advantage of all the adventures to be had in such a beautiful, touristy area before life picks up again!
So, here are a few ways we’ve been keeping busy:
Enjoying The Great Outdoors!
It doesn’t take me long to remember why I always loved coming to this place as a child. With limited vacation time, whenever Derek and I came south to visit family, that’s generally all we had time to do. Adventuring and exploring didn’t often fit into the schedule and it’s been years since I’ve really gotten to do some of the things I love here in the mountains. So, having unlimited time now is really a beautiful thing.
If you’ve ever visited the smokies, I’m sure you know that trails, creeks, and picnic spots are endless. Even in the middle of summer when tourism is at it’s peak, it’s not hard to find a quiet place to get away and explore nature.
In fact, I’m getting pretty proficient at throwing together a bag with the “necessities” for a day out on the trails.
Snacks? Check
Water bottles? Check
Diapers? Check
Wipes? Check
More snacks? Check
Swim trunks? Check
Water shoes? Check
Towels? Check
Even more snacks? Check
And off we go! The boys love hiking, bouldering, splashing in the creeks, and tossing rocks in the water (or at peoples heads for one little guy in particular who’s aim could use some work).
And after a long hike or swim, who isn’t ready for food?
There are so many amazing places for a picnic. Here, the only criteria for an appropriate place to eat in the great outdoors is that you must either have a gorgeous view of the mountains or the peaceful sound of a bubbling creek passing by. And if you can have both in the same location, it’s an especially blessed picnic spot.
I’m surprised that the bugs really aren’t that horrible. That’s usually the biggest nemesis to peaceful picnicking, but they really haven’t been too big of a problem and that’s huge in my book!
Exploring and Discovering
Every time we wade in the creek, Derek and Ryan quickly disappear to take part in a slightly redneck activity of which I want no part.
Crawdad hunting.
I remember my brother and his friends crawdad hunting as kids, but their tiny little pinchers always freaked me out and were somewhat reminiscent of large, nasty bugs. No. Thank. You. (Although once cooked, I gotta say I’m a fan.)
Anywho, last week Derek and Ryan were on the hunt again. Derek was across the creek and every time he’d find a crawdad, he’d pick it up to show me. Now, many of you probably don’t know that my eyesight isn’t great and I refuse to wear glasses unless I’m driving or watching TV. This being the case, any previous crawdads Derek had picked up were too small for me to make out from that distance, so I kept waving him away for my inability to see anything. Until I turned to look that last time and to my surprise I could clearly see the grandaddy of all crawdads my husband was proudly holding up. Maybe I’m not very experienced in crawdad culture but this was the biggest one I’ve seen yet. In fact, shooting straight with you, this was no crawdad, this was a mini-lobster.
Another day, we were out hiking through some pretty average size trees and all of a sudden, there, standing proudly in the midst of said average trees was a monster of a tree that had to be at least 2,000 years old. The thing was pretty dang big. I’m guessing it was here when Jesus walked the earth. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating… I mean, it wasn’t quite a redwood, but my goodness, that thing was incredibly big and just so much larger than every other tree around, it makes you wonder what the story is there.
I’ve heard the saying “if walls could speak”, but I’ve always had more interest in what trees might have to say. They were around first, after all.
Taking A Drive
If I need my younger guys to nap, but don’t feel like staying home for the day… these winding roads are the perfect recipe for a snooze for them and a peaceful time to recoup for me. Or if Derek’s along, we can enjoy some uninterrupted conversation while enjoying the endless beauty.
Whether we’re winding along the Blue Ridge Parkway or just driving out to see family or friends, the drive is basically ALWAYS amazing.
Creation really does speak to the glory of God and it does absolute wonders for my soul.
Squeezing In “Us Time”
These past few months haven’t exactly lent themselves to giving Derek and I a whole lot of “us time”. We’re enjoying the changes, extra time with the boys, and lots of time with family and new friends, but it never negates the need to have a moment to ourselves now and then.
Thankfully my grandparents have been super sensitive to this and have offered a few different opportunities for Derek and I to get away for a bit. We’ve had real dates where we go out for dinner (Mexican food is pretty much always our go to!) and ice cream at the only shop in town open late.
But the last couple of “dates” have consisted of drives back to TN to pick up the mail.
I know, I know, it sounds like something out of an old western, doesn’t it? “Lands sakes, Jedidiah, we gotta get ourselves to town to pick up the dog gon’ mail! Maybe there’s a letter from Ma! It’ll only take a day or two!” (Insert a deep southern drawl).
But in all seriousness, yes, we have to drive three hours round trip on a weekly basis right now to pick up our mail that’s being forwarded from MN to the PO Box we set up when we thought we’d be settling in TN. We’ll move it once we close on our house. Just the other morning Derek and I got up at 4:30 AM, drove the hour and a half over the mountains, grabbed the mail and breakfast at Chick-Fil-A and made in back by 9:00 A.M. having accomplished a date with the whole day still ahead of us. Score!
I am a huge advocate for continuing to “date” your spouse no matter how long you’ve been married! Derek and I love to joke that anything can be a date so long as it includes him holding my hand at least once and opening my door a time or two. It doesn’t have to be fancy!
Becoming Locals
We’ve also been discovering all kinds of fun things that most tourists never have the time or resources to discover. This really is the neatest little town, not just for visitors but for residents as well.
As we befriend locals, we suddenly feel like we have an “in” to opportunities and activities we wouldn’t otherwise. For instance, a sweet lady in my grandparents neighborhood popped over to let us know that sometimes on Fridays the local rec department brings kids activities to nearby parks and it’s all free!
There were all sorts of outdoor games the day we went, but I must say, the absolute favorite for my boys was the human hamster ball! And why wouldn’t it be??? They stood in line with about five other kids and went again and again and again. Totally fine by me! What a great way to expend energy! I gotta get me one of those! The boys can play all day and I could make it my morning work out! I’m pretty sure it’s a must have.
Oh, and who woulda thunk it, but our boys didn’t just get to attend the local 4th of July Parade , they WERE the 4th of July Parade. Our little town puts on a parade that is made up entirely of little people and they’re scooters/bikes/etc. all decked out in everything red, white, and blue! And once again, it’s free! The town provides decor, you just show up with your child and their set of wheels and have a blast! And best of all… ice cream awaits at the end of the march! How cool is that???
And of course, if one truly expects to fit in around here, becoming a pro at mini golf is a necessity, is it not? Ok, maybe that’s a stretch, but it’s definitely one of the go to’s for a fun outing and we’ve got some training to do! Not that I can really…um… train anyone. I’m generally satisfied with a hole-in-three. If highest score won, I’d win every time! Never the less, I took Ryan out for his first game of putt-putt the other day just to get him acclimated. (Plus, a little one-on-one time is never a bad thing.)
My big man scored two holes-in-one! He wanted to be Tiger Woods but I had to tone him down a bit so we didn’t knock the ball across town. I’ll let you all know when he goes pro.
That’s All For Now!
It’s kind of easy at the moment to fall into discontentment if I’m not really careful. Being in-between homes and without a real routine or feeling of normalcy while trying to build a new life, make new friends, get active in a new church and still hold it altogether can be a task.
But I’m finding that an adventurous spirit brings the joy of discovery into the journey and it definitely helps me along!
Now… everyone has been so kind by checking in and asking how things are going with the house and yet we’ve been at such a stand still with next to no answers!
But here’s the good news… Lord willing, we’ll be closing on our new house THIS Thursday!!! Which means hopefully, by this time next week, I’ll have a real update for you guys! I’m excited to show our new place some love and share the journey as we go!
Much love!
My Family Freedom 