To some extent we are all creatures of habit. I know I am and always have been. When you find something that works, why change ? Right ?
For most of my life, I have eaten the same things for breakfast and lunch. When you walk into Subway at lunch and they just start making your sandwich, you know that you have been there a time or two before.
Some people love the familiar and others love something new and adventurous. I happen to be one of those that generally likes the familiar and comfortable. It is, in general, more relaxing to me. Doing the familiar things, you don’t have to think about making decisions about something that you haven’t done before or somewhere you haven’t been before.
Growing up our family went to Panama City Beach every summer. For many years, we stayed in the same motel on the beach. We ate at the same places and did the same things every year. We would play putt-putt golf, go to St. Andrews Park to fish, eat at Angelo’s Steak House and hit up Alvin’s Island for some souvenirs.
My mom and dad loved going there more than anywhere else. We rarely went anywhere else for vacation. It was always great and we looked forward to it every year. My parents weren’t really concerned about things they had not seen or places they had not been. They just liked to get away and relax.
Do you prefer the usual places or do you like some adventure ?
I’ve become somewhat the same with my family and traveling. We have been to Panama City Beach or Destin just about every year since my kids were young. It’s our happy place and the best place we know to enjoy the fun, sun and surf. We always like going back to the same condo complex, eating at the same places and doing the same things for fun. It may be boring to some but to me it’s comfortable and relaxing.
Years ago, we added Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg to our list of favorite places. We know where to stay, where to eat, where to shop and all of the back-roads to get there when it’s crowded. We love to go to the mountains and see the beauty of God’s creation all around us. It doesn’t matter how many times we go, we always want to go back.
Always going to the same places does limit you from seeing new things. There is a whole world of beautiful things out there waiting for us to see and enjoy. So it is nice to be able to do both. I will admit that always hitting up the same places does limit your access to new and wonderful places.
Last week we went to Puerto Rico to celebrate a special birthday. We wanted to go somewhere where there was a warm beach. While we were there, we were able to visit a rain forest (yes, it rained while we were there), a 500 year old Spanish fort (awesome place to see) and saw some incredibly beautiful places. But talk about being out of our comfort zone ! We had a great time … but it was nerve-racking at times, at least for me. Not knowing your way around … not knowing places to eat, shop, etc is to some adventurous … to me it’s kind of stressful.
It didn’t help matters that apparently traffic laws are just suggestions in Puerto Rico. Within minutes after leaving the airport, I was passed by a car on the on-ramp to the interstate. We saw someone make a u-turn across three lanes of traffic and several times we were passed by someone on a motorcycle riding between the lanes of traffic. Thankfully, GPS (one of the greatest inventions ever!) and a daughter that could navigate for me helped us get where we were going without incident (ok, maybe the car needed a front-end alignment when we were finished).
There are so many more wonderful things to see there, I would venture to say that we will be back.
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- Sunrise in PR
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- San Juan
One thing is for sure. You can have both relaxation and adventure in the Smoky Mountains. Sit back and relax in your cabin overlooking the mountains or pack a picnic lunch and head to Cade’s Cove (maybe you’ll even see a bear). Head to the mountains and do some hiking or zipline through the trees. Go for a horseback ride up a mountain or ride an alpine coaster down a mountain. You could spend an evening at The Island having dinner and listening to some Bluegrass music.
Another thing you can count on is things are always changing in East Tn. The scenery of the mountains changes from week to week and season to season. New attractions, restaurants, shopping are always popping up in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville. There is no lack of things to do and places to go in East Tn.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the adventure of the Smoky Mountains.
I can promise it will be easier to get around than it is in Puerto Rico !