Family Idea #2: Hiking to Listen

This is the second article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge is a place for you to strengthen relationships and gain new perspective.

Idea:  Chapter "A walk on the Wild Side" encourages couples to escape the house and reconnect through walking, "Walking is wonderful.  Need to clear your head of clutter and put problems into perspective?  Take a hike."  Get outdoors and listen to your loved ones.

Action:  Walking around the neighborhood is start.  Kick it up a notch by adding a new view.  How about hiking in the Smokies?

Plan:  Two hikes rumored to be relatively secluded in Townsend, TN (the quiet side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

1.  Indian Hills Falls trail

The stats:  8-11 miles out & back, 5.5 hours, easy/moderate, rated 5/5 stars by hikers

Where:  Park at Institue at Tremont visitor center, take the Middle Prong Trail

What's neat:  old railroad bed, logging community artifacts, Panther Falls

Tip:  Go left at 4 miles (the trail takes you in that direction, but there's no sign)

2.  Spruce Flats Falls & Chestnut Top Wildflowers trail

The stats:  2 miles out & back, difficult, 1,400 ft. to 1,700, rated 5/5 stars by hikers

Where:  Park at Tremont visitor center, take Lumber Ridget Trail to Buckeye to Falls

Tip:  dropoffs, narrow, and rocky, but at the end rewarded with a waterfall

Family Idea #1: Relax & Re-Learn Letter Writing in the Smokies

This is the first article on a series of ideas leveraging tips from the book Re-Energize Your Relationship and applying them to vacation ideas in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge (LBL) is a place for you to build relationships and gain a new perspective.

"Read Em' and Weep" Chapter 1 Idea:  This chapter explains the beauty of a handwritten letter and how texting is a poor substitute.  On a vacation with fewer distractions than normal, take time to express your feelings in writing.  The book suggests surprising a special someone, "Write a letter to the woman or man in your life and leave it for them when they come back from work or the store.  Hide love notes in his suit pocket.  Tuck them under her pillow or pop them in her pocketbook." 

Take Action:  When you are at Lightning Bug Lodge, you are so high up the mountain, your texting likely won't work.  What a great opportunity to re-learn the art of letter writing.  I've provided stationary at the cabin to make it easy for you - just bring your thoughts.

Special Offer:  For those not staying in the cabin tonight, I've made custom LBL note cards.  I'll send a set free to the first 3 people to respond to me with their address.  Follow "Meet the owner" link (upper right column) to find my contact info.

Frommer's Top Destinations 2012

According to Frommer's Top Destinations 2012:
Best Beach:  Hanalei
Best Cruise:  Tromso
Best Food & Drink:  Lima
Not certain whether I'll travel to these far away lands, but I know I'll return to the Top Family Destination.  Yes, Frommer's online rated the Smoky Mountain National Park as #1.
Best Family Vacation spot:  Smoky Mountains National Park

Alexis Lipsity Flipper's description of the park is poetic:

"You and your family can cocoon yourselves in true wilderness, hike a trail in utter silence... Listen to the concert of leaves fluttering in the breeze.  you will be doing what untold folks have done before you --from Cherokee warriors to coonskin-clad pioneers--and it will feel fresh and new.  And when the swirling silver mist crowns the mossy peaks, you'll understand why these smoky heights continue to fascinate, as they have for untold centuries."

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN also made a Frommer's top list America's Best New Theme Park Rides & Attractions written by Carrie Havranek.  Of the 12 rides recognized, Dollywood's Barnstormer was one of them.  Take your big kid if she likes a thrill.  With swings flying high over the barn rooftop at 45 mph, it'll pump her adreneline.

For full Frommer article, visit their website:
http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?p=11&axn=pause&group=599&cat_cd=3600&layout=win