Great Smoky Mountains National Park | #70

I turned 30 recently. I’m not exactly sure what I think 30 should look like, but my life just doesn’t “feel” like 30. To combat that dissonance I decided to book a trip for my birthday weekend. My typical trips consist of cheap (but safe) hotel or car camping. But since I was turning 30 I decided I needed to have more of a “grown up” trip. Fake it ’till ya make it, right?! So I booked a log cabin outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, invited some friends to come along, and had an awesome weekend exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

I got in Friday afternoon and checked out the Visitor Center for awhile. I wanted to go for a hike, but I took a wrong turn and spent the rest of the daylight just driving around. It was rainy and foggy with poor visibility but I could tell I was in a gorgeous place.

White Oak Lodge and Resort

I was then off to check in to my cabin at White Oak Lodge and Resort. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found this two bedroom cabin online for about what I normally pay for a cheap hotel, so I was skeptical. I couldn’t have been more wrong! The cabin was gorgeous! There was plenty of room for the three of us staying there. Instead of describing it, I’ll show you around in the video below. In the video you’ll meet my expedition partners Jack and Micah. If Jack looks familiar you may remember him from way back when. He’s been on the blog wake boarding and exploring the Redwoods before.

Cades Cove

We got up early the next morning with hopes of hiking to Laurel Falls only to find the trail closed. Undeterred, we pressed on to Cades Cove. We were there a bit early in the spring, but I could tell that this place will be absolutely breathtaking when the blossoms and wildflowers arrive.

After exploring a few of the restored buildings, we began a hike in to Abrams Falls. At the base of the falls we enjoyed our peanut butter sandwiches in a hammock before it was time for more exploring.

**Note to self: Don’t ask Jack if he thinks he can climb something. He thinks he can and he will.**

I took a less risky route to the top of the falls. The view was worth the effort, but finding a way down was tricky.

As my birthday drew to a close we headed back to the cabin where Jack and Micah made me a fantastic dinner before we had a cupcake tasting and a soak in our private hot tub. We were living the good life. Maybe this is what 30 is supposed to look like.

On our last day we drove the same route I accidentally took the first night. The weather was much clearer and we could see for miles. If the park is this gorgeous in mid-March I hope I get to see it in the fall sometime.

I ended the weekend 30, tired, and happy. You’re never too old to explore, go some place new, or do something you’ve never tried before. Here’s to another year of pushing boundaries and broadening horizons.

Go. Live.