Team Tully headed to the Smoky Mountains on the coldest weekend of the year. It was everything we needed and wanted it to be. It was quiet, it was cold, it was serene, it was just us. We stayed in a tiny cabin with more than enough space for our three bodies. My list making, organizational self makes me very aware of "things", of "stuff", of "extras". This little house was enough. It was more than enough. We; our hearts, minds, and souls filled it right up. No need for the stuff.
It was indeed a family weekend. Quality time spent with each other. But this weekend was also a bit about me...these boots. These boots are not my first set of hiking boots, gosh they are probably my third or fourth pair but these boots have been with me for the last 10 years at least. These boots mean a lot to me. 10 years ago they represented freedom and recklessness and time. Now they represent health, and strength, and time. I am a different person than I was 10 years ago, but the boots are the same and I cannot tell you how fantastic I felt and how full my spirit was on this trip. THIS is what I love...the wandering, the space, the connection, the extraordinary.
A tiny house loft. A perfect spot for this kid!
Luke just had to run ahead to check out the first of many waterfalls!
Our everything!
Eating in situ icicles.
Our little southern boy was thrilled to be "snacking" on icicles all day long!
Beauty
While in this crazy position Luke spotted our second wildlife of the day...an otter! It was adorable and funny and such a great find!
Sometimes I would give anything to be inside that mind of his and then other times I think that thoughts are really one of the only things in life that are truly yours. I will let him keep them but I just know they are fantastic and truly awesome.
A snowy trail. The snow got deeper has we headed up the mountain. We stopped for snow angel creations and some snowball making.
These two. Love.
We hiked miles and miles - sometimes in complete silence and sometimes chatting about everything from snowflake design to why wearing two pairs of pants is helpful. We saw otter, we saw turkeys, we saw groundhogs, we saw countless birds - including a frequent visiting cardinal to our cabin, and we saw deer. The deer sighting was magical and something we won't forget. We were on a path halfway up a mountain when I spotted a family of deer. They could not have been more than 20 yards away. We stopped, we stood very still, and we watched. We watched them eat and drink and make their way up the hill. If they saw us they didn't give any indication. They took care of each other, one waiting on another to move forward, to continue. To get further up the hill they had to cross the very path we were standing on. And they did. Lance was close enough to touch them. That is how peaceful and calm and perfect the moment was. They were not afraid and we were amazed. Mutual respect. A memory moment. It was a great weekend full of fresh air and gloved hands and even though we were hiking in a place we had never been I felt very much at Home.
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