November 5…. And the answer is…

Well, the question has always been “where’s the best place you’ve been?”

We’re spending the week in Townsend Tennessee. I’ve been coming here for over 50 years. Townsend is the tiny little gateway town to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and more specifically, Cades Cove, a small valley area in the west end of GSMNP, surrounded by mountains and crisscrossed by beautiful meadows, forests, and streams.

I remember coming here with mom and dad and my sisters as a child.

I remember the first time I brought Sheila here.

I remember the first time I brought my kids here.

I remember the first time I brought Susanne here.

This place has so much history in my life and so much meaning. Looking for deer and bears at dawn and dusk. Hiking through the woods, going back to John Oliver’s cabin, or Elijah’s place. Cabins that have been there my entire life, and an entire lifetime before me.

I still remember watching bears eat cherries with my mom. And dad yelling back at us to close the camper windows to get past some close trees. I remember the early morning hayrides, and taking the kids on the night hike with old Ranger Mike.

Where’s the best place I’ve been??

It’s been right here all along.