Our Smoky Mountain Adventure | Charlie’s Birthday Trip

A few years ago, we made the decision to focus on our kids birthday’s with a different approach. We wanted memories and a focus of each kid for their day around what they liked at that time and an ‘adventure’ to remember.

This year Charlie turned 9. Funny how time goes by so slow yet so fast, and by fast I mean I cannot believe my Charlie is 9. He is energetic, loves math, games, bike riding, being a big brother to Meredith and exploring outdoors. With his love for being outside, water and exploring we knew visiting the Smoky Mountains would be the perfect adventure.

We packed up our snacks and our fur babies and went on our way! We stayed in the cutest VRBO cabin in Gatlinburg, just a short drive from the gorgeous Smoky Mountain National Park. Complete with a pool table and arcade for some fun! The dogs loved it there too!

If we weren’t relaxing in the cabin we were out exploring, seeing what the mountains had to offer (and hoping to spot a bear).

We traveled into Smoky Mountain National Park, up into Cades Cove and along the beautiful West Prong Little Pigeon River. Spring was beginning to show in the mountains. Little flowers, random rain showers and the animals were on the move. We didn’t get to spot a bear but we did get to find plenty of deer and turkey.

Charlie’s favorite part was when we stopped to walk trails and see the river. The water was so clear and pretty. He loved skipping rocks with his dad and seeing how far he can go in before the water would go over his boots. Charlie has a genuine love for nature and I love it! I cannot wait to take our family back to the mountains again or see where our next birthday adventure takes us.

Do you have a unique tradition for birthdays? Where is somewhere you would like to go and explore? Let me know in the comments below!

Talk to you soon!

Warmly-

Samantha