The Truth Comes Out….
Thank you so much for weighing in on mine and Luke’s lack of fun-having skillz. Indeed, we are excitement impaired. As a matter of fact, one of the more entertaining we’ve done today is laugh our heads off over your comments about what we should be doing!
We decided to go into Gatlinburg today and visit the various and sundry shops. Neither one of us had been there in years and thought there might be some new things there we’d like to see. My favorite shop was P. Graham Dunn where they have some stunning Christian art and laser-carved wallhangings. I particularly loved how they used scripture that isn’t oft quoted, if that makes any sense. Beautiful stuff.
We planned on going to Cades Cove the entire time we were in Gatlinburg. Luke wasn’t so thrilled about the prospect of going horseback riding but I figured he’d come around if I didn’t force him and somehow let him think it was his idea.
Don’t y’all act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.
So when we happened upon a booth on the strip where you could book a Horseback Adventure, I wasn’t totally shocked when Luke said, “Well, there you go. If you want to go ride horses let’s just set it up.”
I squealed on the inside but said, “Aww, honey. I know you don’t really want to go. It’s okay.”
And then he proceeded to beg me to ride the horses.
I love being a woman.
But, here’s the reality of why we have such a hard time finding fun things to do: We are just too stinkin’ cheap. Y’all, that horse ride was going to cost $50!
Fifty AMERICAN dollars.
Now when someone tells me something is going to cost me half of a hundred dollars I immediately start thinking of all the things I could have in it’s place. For example: Do I want to spend $50 on riding a stinky horse or getting a new outfit? $50 on a horse I couldn’t get to run if I stuck it with a red hot poker or a great dinner that my husband will also enjoy?
I picked the outfit and dinner and felt much the better for it.
We still planned on riding through the Loop at Cades Cove so we got a drink and settled in the truck looking forward to a nice ride through the park together – albeit not on horseback. That is, until we saw a sign that said:
Cades Cove – 24 Miles
And y’all, we just didn’t have that many miles of riding in us.
So, we ended up going back to Five Oaks Outlet. And, I am SO glad we did because I found some awesome shorts at the Gap for $6.97! And the salesgirl wasn’t even an obnoxious little snot.
Sound like a perfect day or what?
So tomorrow it’s back to business as usual. We’ll be leaving in the morning to travel back to some semblance of normalcy. Even though the days of having nowhere to be and no time to be there have been great, crazy can only be put off for so long.
And I can’t wait to put my arms around all four of them.
P.S. I should also mention I soldiered through writing a difficult portion of a chapter I’ve been working on tonight – so yay me!! I’ve accomplished something anyway?
Awww, I am glad you had a great time with shopping therapy. After all, a new outfit far outweighs the stinky horse. LOL
You will have to go back and drive around the loop. It really is beautiful. I am headed to that area next week. It pays to have family and friends who live there.
Have a safe trip home.
Love,
Patty
I am very glad to hear that you at least was able to be with your husband alone.
It is good bonding time! But too funny about being boring! I laughed so much. I love the way you write. It has so much character. Well, ya’ll have a safe trip and keep being boring! It can be a good thing! Or not so exspensive.:)
Hi Lisa. This is the first time I’ve ever commented on your beautiful blog.
Cades Cove really is worth the drive. It is gorgeous. We, too, almost didn’t go because of how far it was away from Gatlinburg and we had our 3 children with us. When we got there, we were able to get out of the van and go into some of the houses and churches. We saw a black bear (up close, but we were in the car), a red tailed fox, wild turkey, and deer. My children got about 10 feet from the deer and they didn’t even budge. They just kept eating leaves and looking up at the kiddos from time to time. It was a great experience and I would do it over again. The only thing I suggest is that you have plenty of drinks and snacks already with you. There’s a little store right where you begin your journey throught the Cove but it is very expensive.
Glad you got to get away. That would do me some good. I’ve been asking my husband to take me away for a little while.
Sorry for the long comment. Can’t you tell I love Gatlinburg?
Nikki
Isn’t it ironic… your desperate to have some alone time with hubby but end up only talking about the kids!!
Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS on your 18 years, that’s wonderful and you deserved to celebrate it!
No stinky horses for me either…thats just in movies anyway. Nobody really does that!! :)
Enjoy your last day. Those wild heathens will be there when you get home!
hugs~
Fran
You crack me up.
And working on your book in the room on your anniversary trip? Spare me! Seems like a Preacher and his Wife would have read the Bible together.
Song of Solomon.
;-)
You crack me up! I love reading your blog. When my blog grows up, I want it to be like your blog. ;-)
Congrats on 18 years! We are pretty boring, too, but boring can also be pretty wonderful. And who can pass up $6 Gap shorts?
Jamie
Writing on your romantic getaway trip…..I hear you! I did the same thing recently — hey, a deadline is a deadline. I love Gatlinburg and so enjoy staying way up Ski Mountain Rd and just enjoying the view. It’s a great place to write. Good luck on your book!
Just to make you feel better, you don’t have to be married 18 years with kids to be boring… Gunter and I went to the beach this weekend for our second anniversary, and we felt pretty boring compared to the party crowd you find at the beach. But we don’t care — we enjoyed ourselves, anyway!
congrats on your 18!!!!
and just for the record I voted go shopping!!! and 50.$ that is way too much I would rather have a new outfit you did well! marina
Happy Anniversary girlfriend! You made such a wise decision to go with the outfit. Fifty Dollars? Just to ride?? Oh my goodness! Hope you had a wonderful time. I really miss you!! Love Ya!
Sounds like you had a great time. I wish I’d have seen this blog the other day. The artist community on the outer loop of Gatlinburg is so neat.
But it sounds like you WERE productive. I mean pants for that price? And a chapter done?? Hooray!
Hugs!!
:-) Susan
Hi! I just stumbled upon your journal and I really am enjoying it! I am a pastor’s wife as well. I lovvveeee P. Graham Dunn….I bought a ton of stuff there on sale back in Feb!!
Stop by my blog sometime, I just started bloggin’ here!
God Bless,
Kathi
Thank you for visiting our little store in Gatlinburg. And thank you for the kind words about P. Graham Dunn. Should you find yourself in NE Ohio, be sure to stop by Dalton and I’ll be happy to show you around our shop. In the mean time, please send me an email with your mailing address and I’ll send out a little gift for you.
Blessings to you,
Joe Knutson
(Peter Graham Dunn’s son-in-law)
P. Graham Dunn
joe@pgrahamdunn.com
Our blog:
http://pgrahamdunn.blogspot.com/