Odom Vacation in the Smokey Mountains

Zack and I headed for the hills last week to take a break from cell phones and computers and connect with history and God's Creation. Having grown up in Georgia, I can't believe it's taken me this long to see this beautiful national park. It's name derives from a Cherokee word that describes the blue haze that rises like smoke characteristic of the range. We split our stay between a cozy lodge and a cabin deep in the woods. I wish I could say we camped, but neither of us grew up as scouts, making the venture more foreboding.



This is my dashing husband, Zack, for those of you who don't know him.



One of our favorite days was spent in Cades Cove. We packed lunches, let down our windows, pulled back the sunroof and drove. This was the first time I've driven my stick-shift Mini since I had surgery on my foot in February. Zack kept laughing at me as I softly said, "Ten...two...ten...two," describing my hand position on the steering wheel while we rounded curves.

Our second favorite day included indoor skydiving and go carts. We had the tracks virtually to ourselves, racing only each other. It was a blast! I'm so grateful for the break.