Looking back the only thing I wish we had done was got a picture together.  Not sure how I managed to miss that particular thing.  But the rest of the photos are great and we had a really awesome time in the mountains.

Love the smoky mountains. One of my favorite parts of my home state and most definitely one of the prettiest.

But I’m going to leave it on Wednesday.  Headed to Brisbane, Australia for a day to hang with a blogging friend and then on to Auckland, New Zealand.  More on this later, but let’s just say I am super freaking excited!!

Yeah, I’m going on another trip.

This other trip is much closer and much shorter.  It’s a 4 day vacation in Gatlinburg, TN, with my mom for her 60th birthday.  While it might not seem as flashy as a trip abroad I am very excited about it, especially since I leave in three days.

I’m also excited because my mom is coming on this trip.  Actually it’s her trip entirely.  I’m just planning and financing it.  Since she never takes vacations and it is her 60th birthday in January I told her we could go on a vacation anywhere in the US.  She went back and forth between a few places but ultimately decided on Gatlinburg because she loves the mountains (and partly because she knows my budget isn’t that big).

Still I’m not sure exactly what we will be doing in Gatlinburg.  I know if it was my trip I would be snowboarding, but I don’t think my mom has the same kind of ideas.  More likely it will be a relaxing trip with nice meals and walks and maybe spa day type stuff… which still sounds pretty good to me!  And from what I hear there is plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg.

I’ve been to Gatlinburg once before, but was with a group for a conference and had very little opportunity to see or do anything.  It will be nice to visit without a real agenda and with the chance to do whatever comes to mind.  Most of all I’m excited to be traveling to the other end of Tennessee.  I love the mountains in my home state and miss the chance to see them more often, as I live in the very flat world of West Tennessee.  I can’t wait until Wednesday when we hit the mountains!

It is quite pretty in Gatlinburg this time of year with all the snow.

After I get back from the Gatlinburg trip I have three more days until I get on a flight to go hang out in Australia and then head to New Zealand.  January is going to be a freaking awesome month of travel!