Addendum....

In honor of Katie's 28th birthday - my Friday FIVE! this week focused on the things that Katie and I enjoy doing together... however, there is one thing that I didn't include in the Friday FIVE! that is certainly worth an addendum - and possibly could have been top on the list of the Friday FIVE! When Katie was just 13 years old - we took our first family trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Little did we know, that it would become a family favorite vacation spot. We have since returned many, many times - and hiked many, many different trails in the National Park. Katie celebrated her 16th birthday on the Abrams Falls trail - and Betsy celebrated her 16th birthday on the Alum Cave Bluff trail. Two years ago - we took Tyler, the next generation to hike Andrews Bald. Discussing this with Katie today - we realized that there are so many things that we love about hiking in the smokies - packing the sandwiches for lunch on the trail, the sights and smells and vistas to enjoy on the trail, the time together, the silence, the hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg and the taste of the cold beer after the hike - just to mention a few. There is just so much to enjoy - together as a group ... or just with our partners. We have passed this love on to a new generation....and before long, we'll be planning a trip to introduce Trevor to the Smokies.....