We visited the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee this week. The temperature ranged from 94-96 and the humidity hit 835 percent. We got some good hiking in and we learned how to travel with a toddler. Sydney 'saw' deer, a turkey and a snake.
WEDNESDAY
Our first hike was the classic Laurel Falls.
The path was narrow but 'paved' with pebbles so Sydney spent most of the ascent and descent in her stroller.
The falls are behind us.
Turns out the aquarium in Gatlinburg is amazing. (I had my doubts because Gatlinburg is the ultimate tourist trap.) Brian and I have visited a number of aquariums, and we were really impressed with this one. More than 8,000 species on display, including an underwater view of a coral reef courtesy of a moving sidewalk.
Sydney scopes her treasure.
Our little Jack Sparrow.
Seahorse.
A sting ray's underbelly.
THURSDAY
We also visited Cades Cove.
Sydney plans our route through Cades Cove.
Sydney participated in the park's ecological relocation program by carrying pine cones, tree bark and rocks from place to place.
Daddy escorts Sydney on the Saw Mill loop.
Family photo.
Hiking on a Cades Cove trail.
Fine dining: Eating lunch in the car.
Hotel habitat.
Sydney's sleep arrangements when we're not sandwiching her.
The beast awakes.
The pond in front of the hotel is home to a duck and her 10 ducklings. Speaking of waterfowl, Sydney's big fan of the Gossie books. She was well acquainted with Gossie, Gertie and Ollie, and we got to know Peedie and Booboo on this trip.
Other highlights from the trip:
Eating my fine cuisine - shrimp and sweet potato - in the car because Sydney combusted in the restaurant. I'm a slow eater and she was in need of a nap. (The Park Grill in Gatlinburg is a great restaurant. Sydney ate like a queen off the kids menu too.)
We weren't in the hotel room 15 minutes and Sydney fell into the nightstand. She bruised her face, but the marks are almost gone now. This incident combined with her not wanting to sleep, drove us to drive to Walgreens at 12:30 a.m. to buy pacifiers. This was 10 days after she gave it up. She came back with the sniffles, so we have not forced her to relinquish it yet.
WEDNESDAY
Our first hike was the classic Laurel Falls.
The path was narrow but 'paved' with pebbles so Sydney spent most of the ascent and descent in her stroller.
The falls are behind us.
Turns out the aquarium in Gatlinburg is amazing. (I had my doubts because Gatlinburg is the ultimate tourist trap.) Brian and I have visited a number of aquariums, and we were really impressed with this one. More than 8,000 species on display, including an underwater view of a coral reef courtesy of a moving sidewalk.
Sydney scopes her treasure.
Our little Jack Sparrow.
Seahorse.
A sting ray's underbelly.
THURSDAY
We also visited Cades Cove.
Sydney plans our route through Cades Cove.
Sydney participated in the park's ecological relocation program by carrying pine cones, tree bark and rocks from place to place.
Daddy escorts Sydney on the Saw Mill loop.
Family photo.
Hiking on a Cades Cove trail.
Fine dining: Eating lunch in the car.
Hotel habitat.
Sydney's sleep arrangements when we're not sandwiching her.
The beast awakes.
The pond in front of the hotel is home to a duck and her 10 ducklings. Speaking of waterfowl, Sydney's big fan of the Gossie books. She was well acquainted with Gossie, Gertie and Ollie, and we got to know Peedie and Booboo on this trip.
Other highlights from the trip:
Eating my fine cuisine - shrimp and sweet potato - in the car because Sydney combusted in the restaurant. I'm a slow eater and she was in need of a nap. (The Park Grill in Gatlinburg is a great restaurant. Sydney ate like a queen off the kids menu too.)
We weren't in the hotel room 15 minutes and Sydney fell into the nightstand. She bruised her face, but the marks are almost gone now. This incident combined with her not wanting to sleep, drove us to drive to Walgreens at 12:30 a.m. to buy pacifiers. This was 10 days after she gave it up. She came back with the sniffles, so we have not forced her to relinquish it yet.
1 comment:
Great pictures of your trip! Family vacations and all the "adventures" that go along with are always memorable. The lack of sleeping can be extra tiring all around!
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