Townsend, Tennessee

We have been enjoying a few very relaxed days in the Smokey Mountains. Before we got here, Bryce had one last day, in Ashville, North Carolina. During that day the kids and I got to explore a small town... near the Biltmore Estate. Wow - it was FUN! Elie found a map and we went on a "treasure hunt," where she directed where we turned and when we stopped (from the back seat of the car). She actually took us to a little shop, the Biltmore Gatehouse Shop, which had tons of old antiques and little souvenir type stuff... but it also had a candy corner... whew!

So the kids each picked a treat as their "treasure."

There's a reason they're called, "Smokey Mountians."

Here, in case you can't tell:o), are wild horses grazing in Cades Cove, in the Smokey Mountains - Much to Elie's delight. We even got to whiteness them gallop in to where they are in the picture.

This is some body's famous log cabin. Apparently it's all original. It was neat to explore, and Elie is convinced that it's the cabin that Ma and Pa Ingles left behind when they went to their little house on the prairie.

Well, we will head home to Michigan in the morning! It's been amazing. Today marks 68 days we've been on the road. By the time we get home it will be a complete 70, and it will be so good to be in our own beds again!

Tonight at supper we told the kids again that we were finally heading home. Jadon asked, "Where Nonnie is?" He was momentarily disappointed when we said no, but got excited when we asked him if he remembered his car bed. He responded with delight, "what car bed, Mommy?!" When we described his room, where his car bed sits under Elie's loft bed, which has a slide, he exclaimed with glee, "Where I can go up and slide? With you?" He has no memory right now of what home is like! I feel about the same.

See some of you soon!