Vacation was time spent close to nature

Have you ever had someone hug you and felt all the stress melt away? That’s how I felt this past weekend.
My husband and I went to Gatlinburg for a mini-vacation. It had been years since we had gone anywhere by ourselves that didn’t involve a wedding, funeral, friends or kids. This weekend was for us and us alone.
We had been there several times when our marriage was new. Back then we hiked miles and miles to see a waterfall. Many times I thought we had left the trail. Nevertheless, I trusted my husband as I followed him over downed logs and up muddy embankments. It was more than worth it when we finally reached the end of the trail. Of course, then we had to go all the way back to the beginning, slipping and sliding over the wet areas.
We were younger then and explored several other trails before our feet and legs said, “No more!” Then we went back to our hotel and sat in the chairs provided to watch the ducks play in the stream just outside our door.
This time we added a woodcarving show to our list of activities. We passed the place twice, due to a complete lack of street signs. If I had thought to look up the name of the venue, we might have been better off. Somehow, the oversized sign advertising the show was turned away from us the first time we drove past.
We finally found the driveway and parked in the grass with the other cars. The museum hosting the exhibition had pushed the regular displays against the walls. Tables adorned with mostly blue ribbons and carvings were arranged close together.
Another, slightly larger, room bore the usual vendors and actual carvers selling their wares. I stopped to talk to one couple and learned that they were from New Hampshire. They drive down most years and incorporate the show into their vacation.
Afterward, we stopped by the visitor center and took off down one of the easy trails. We paused at a sign warning us of bear activity in the area. We pondered which of us could outrun the other. As the old joke goes, I don’t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun my husband.
At some point in the trail I stopped. The air was fresh and sweet due to all the trees exhaling oxygen. The mountain rose beside me and dropped off on the other side. It was quiet. We were alone. I closed my eyes and felt Mother Earth embrace me. In the shelter of the trees, and with my husband protecting me from unseen bears, I felt all my cares dissolve. Peace enveloped my soul.
I finally opened my eyes and we walked on. Then we took a shorter, more popular trail to a waterfall. I was surprised at how many people brought their leashed dogs along. When we got back to the car, we were both tired. It was a good tired, especially since we didn’t see any bears.
On the way back to the hotel we saw a group of wild turkeys by the side of the road. They completely ignored the cars driving past.
A short nap was followed by a great supper. Our waiter, Raoul, occasionally forgot that he had a foreign accent and spoke without one. We pretended not to notice.
The best part of the weekend was the time spent in the mountains, safe in the arms of Mother Earth. Perfect peace and protection from bears. What more can anyone ask? We had a good weekend. I hope you did, too.