Kentucky--May 21-30, 2018 -- Great Smoky Mountains

Grandma and Grandpa had a wonderful visit with Jason, Julie, Ethan and Lydia in their home in Kentucky and to the Smoky Mountain National Park.  

The weekend before we arrived, there was a special four hour training on Saturday for 6 stakes in the area from Elder Ronald A. Rasband.  It was on ministering and included bishops, elder's quorum presidents, RS presidents, YW and YM Presidents.  This was the first time that women have been included in the training.  On Sunday Elder Rasband visited Jason and Julie's stake.  They were able to  shake hands with him.  This picture is of their ward building taken from the Kroger parking lot.  

On our way to Tennessee we stopped in Georgetown, Kentucky and Grandpa, Grandma, and Julie toured the Toyota assembly plant.  It was fascinating!

Ethan got to be a junior ranger at this Visitor Center.

Lydia is surprised to see the turtle. 

Julie and Jason on the Historic Nature Hike Loop

At Cataract Falls near the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Grandpa 

The name comes from the blue mist that so frequently shrouds the mountains. 

The black bear is the symbol of the park.  We saw five bears in the Cade's Cove area. 

Our "log cabin" rental home for three nights was decorated with lots of bears.  There were at least 40 in the main kitchen/dining area. 

The road up to the cabin was very steep.  In fact we weren't able to get the car up the hill the first night because the road was wet.  The directions said to put your car in low gear and floorboard it.  By the time we got to the top of the hill, everyone was chanting "Go, go, go."  It was an adventure every time we ascended or descended the mountain.  Grandpa's phone app indicated that he climbed 24 stories that first day. The road to get there was a roller coaster with many specific directions of where to turn.

Notice the bears and the log motif, even with the dining table chairs. 

Our rented van at the bottom of the hill the first night. 

The views were spectacular from every window. 

Ethan and Lydia were so excited about their log cabin 

Ethan crossing a stream bed.  Jason was surprised to see so many deciduous trees in the forest.  He grew up in the Northwest and is more accustomed to evergreen trees.  Because of the differences in elevation in the park there is an amazing variety of vegetation and animal life. 

At Cades Cove we also saw turkeys, a fawn, and a swarm of Monarch butterflies. 

The Cades Cove area had some meadows and open land where people lived and farmed before this became a national park. 
 

This is a functioning flour mill. 

Lydia was happier to push the stroller than ride in it. 

Gatlinburg is the gateway city to Smoky Mountain National Park.  We drove through Pigeon Forge coming and going and the children were so excited about all the unusual, colorful buildings.  That was a favorite memory for them. 

Jason, Ethan, Julie, and Lydia

John and Kathryn Ann

Lydia and Ethan        "Wook, Grappa!"

Lydia and Julie

 Section of the Appalachion Trail



That was a very steep 1/2 mile hike but totally worth it.  We watched the rain clouds move in and barely made it down before the downpour started in earnest.  We were blessed!

The lookout from the top of the Dome.

 On top of old Smoky - Dome lookout tower.

Good family picture

Wild and crazy. 

Ethan is sounding out words and beginning to read.  He is 4 years old. 

Ethan finished every activity in the book!

Grandpa is a great sandwich maker. 

This is a picture of the car close to the house taken from the top story. 

Whenever Lydia would see the mountains she would comment:  "Smoky Mountains"

Lydia and Ethan are very good travelers in their car seats!

Ethan attends preschool here. 

They were making fun music in the basement. 
Their favorite follow-up question is "why."

  Some of Lydia's cute sayings:
"Elmo broken.  Dat my Elmo.  Happened?    I did it!
Here you go!     Ow milk and a milk  (cow milk and almond milk.) 

Lydia is two-years-old.  Lydia with her lamby, comfort toy.

Ready for church on Sunday morning. 

Lydia has a play kitchen in her bedroom.  "I wike it!"

Getting ready to go swimming in the neighborhood swimming pool 

View of the neighborhood from the pool

Jason with Lydia and Ethan wearing their water wings. 

Julie and Lydia in the little pool. 

Grandpa playing with Ethan. 

Lydia

Sunset through their back windows. 

Boone Woods in Florence. 

"Get mine (me) out!"

 Dinner at Chick-fil-A was delicious topped off with ice cream.  Lydia lost the top of her cone shortly after this picture was taken but we got it cleaned up and they replaced the cone. 

Home in Hebron, Kentucky. 

 Our airplane view from the last seat. 

The peonies and poppies were in bloom. 

All was well at home in West Jordan with the roses and honeysuckle in bloom.