This morning we went hiking at Deep Creek. It’s located in the Smoky Mountains National Park, just a few miles from the inn. It’s a pretty popular part of the park because there are three waterfalls that are within a short hiking distance:
Tom's Branch Falls at Deep Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Boo loved the falls and surmised that the creek must be a circular loop and that’s where all the water comes from. Love that thought.
At one of the waterfalls Brett was out on the edge of the water teetering on a huge log with his phone and I couldn’t figure out what he was doing until I saw his photo (he’s getting better and better at Instagram @bretthackshaw)….go like this photo and you’ll make his week ; )
Indian Creek Falls at Deep Creek Great Smoky Mountains National Park
There were all of these amazing blue little butterflies that kept swarming in the park. After a while they would find somewhere to rest and then they would all take off at the same time and it was like they were being set free in this magical frenzy:
Mort (Hemlock’s innkeeper) was showing us the trails and he found Boo this huge centipede. A week ago she would have screamed and run the opposite direction but she’s getting braver and braver. How does the centipede make all those legs go in the same direction at the same time?!
This afternoon Boo visited Lainey while Brett and I finished painting the master bedroom of our cottage. I had finished caulking yesterday …and used FOUR tubes on one room….I think I’m a little obsessive about cracks. I’m just not used to all the spiders and other insects in the mountains yet. (I’m basically setting up a “caulk” blockade…and good luck getting past it spiders!) The cottage used to just be 2 rooms but an additional bedroom was added on in the 1980’s on the other side of the chimney. You can see the chimney in the closet as Brett paints…love the stacked stone:
Thursday is Fried Chicken Night at the Hemlock. It was our first. We sat with a new couple tonight and a young family we’ve shared the table with for a few days now. Both families are from Florida. There were two other large tables tonight for dinner almost 30 minutes after the tables were cleared… all the guests were still sitting at the tables talking and laughing. It’s like instant community. When I think back to our own table talked about tonight the conversation ranged from train rides to ranches to John Deere tractors to Dolly Parton. I love the story telling.
Fried Chicken Night at the Hemlock Inn
This morning after breakfast we said goodbye to two couples whose stays had come to an end. This is one aspect of inn life that I didn’t even think about: saying goodbye to new friends. I know all stays must come to an end but it’s a little sad saying goodbye to the familiar faces you’ve come to know.
Lainey took this photo tonight….so precious of Boo with a few of her new friends holding hands for the blessing. Brett was late for blessing…hence the empty chair.
Now I’m sitting in the sunroom and there are some lingering groups playing board games and chatting. I love the muffled sounds of the kitchen being cleaned up and the kitchen door swinging back and forth every few minutes. Boo and Brett are probably in bed right now. I’ll make my way down to the cottage with my flashlight shortly hoping I don’t run into a bear. Tomorrow my sister and mom are coming to visit. I think I need to find a place to get my hair cut too….did you notice the sideburns?! They are out of control as I try to grow my hair out. Mort says if I go to the barbershop I’ll get the same “white wall” haircut everyone else does when they go there. He had to explain that to me. Remember the old tires with the white insides? That’s where it comes from…the hair is cut so short around the ears that it resembles the white walls of the old 1960’s tires. I’m so tempted to go anyways….there’s one old antique chair sitting in the middle of the shop. Maybe I could just get the barber to trim it a little just to say I sat in that chair…..how bad could it be?
Last night sitting in bed I took this photo (go-go-gadget arms!)….
….and then I woke up in the middle of the night and the moon was so incredible all I wanted to do was go outside and set up my camera but the battery was dead. It looked like the cover of a story book with the moon behind the clouds. Seriously it was amazing…the glowing of the edges of those clouds against the dark sky. The moon is just as big tonight.
I’m thinking that you are never going to leave there:)
Did you have the thought that the blue butterflies could have been your dad wanting you to know he was with you? Butterflies always seem so special to me I always wonder if my momis working through them!
You are making me so eager to go to the mountains again soon… we usually stay at a cabin and come up around that area once or twice a year with friends.
Just tell Boo to be careful to wash her hands after touching some of the bugs around – we live not too terribly far away from you (Chapin, SC) and I do belive that the insect that Mort and Boo were holding is a millipede, not a centipede – which is good because millipedes won’t bite, but they do secrete a defensive mucus that can irritate skin and eyes. Just make sure she washes her hands after touching any that she comes across just to be safe. I had to purposefully irritate one not too long ago to show my 3 year old exactly WHY she must wash her hands after touching one…
I am loving reading about you and your family! Keep it up!
DO IT!!! Your hair will grow back, but the memory of a cut in that one barber chair will last forever! =)
Will Boo go to school in the small town? I just keep wondering what she will be doing in the fall. What a great summer she is in for.
Said it before and I will say it again…and probably again…lol…you are such an inspiration.
I am truly loving this journey of yours!
Can’t wait to see the before and afters of the cabin! 🙂
I love your story. I can just feel your happiness! I say sit in that chair too! Your hair will grow back it they get it a bit short and besides you look awesome with short hair! Loved the blue butterflies and your picture of grace before your meal. So beautiful.
I’d love to get to the magical Hemlock this summer and meet you all! Do you know if they’re already booked up? I cut hair and would be honored to do yours, if you still needed a trim then, lol! 🙂
We road-tripped to Nashville from New Jersey a year ago April for my son’s chess tournament, and it was an awesome family adventure. Along the way we were planning a side trip into the Smokies but were waylaid in Bristol VA/TN because my daughter got sick, poor baby. We’ve wanted to get to the Smokies ever since!!
I have always liked your blog but now, I LOVE getting each one! I can feel the excitement in your words since you have arrived in Bryson City! We have a cabin not far from you and next weekend my husband, myself, Riley, my 7yr. Old grandaughter, and our sweet lab Maizi are headed to Camp Mimi. We plan on looking you up. Now I am excited. Good luck – think you are on the right track!
Your essence and being lifts my heart and gives me such joy.
Thank you!
Your full moon, Friday the 13th, photo shows your arms and heart reaching for the stars.
Thank you for carrying us with you. God bless your radiant and revealing heart.
Make sure you read Cold Mountain while you are living at the Hemlock. The book, the story and the descriptions will connect you to the history of the area. Charles Frazier’s dad was a principal for a while at Murphy High School! (We lived in Hayesville and owned The Elf School Inn, which is up for sale by the way). Love following your GREAT ADVENTURE!!! Reminds me of ours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashley, Thank you for taking us along on this incredible journey with you, Brett, and Boo. You sound soooo happy. You deserve this beautiful place and time. God bless.
Sharon
I LOVE reading about this journey you’re on. It’s amazing – and so beautiful!
A short drive over to Fontana damn is another wonderful adventure…. so many beautiful areas just a few miles from you, check out Joyce Kilmer Forest…..nantahala area as well.