On Tuesday, we visited the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo–a barnyard environment with 143 acres with goats, deer, camels, elk, reindeer, emu, zebra, exotic cattle, watusi, and zonkeys. It wasn’t just those under 15 who enjoyed mingling with and feeding the animals.

We had lunch at a pizza place with a friendly server, whose wife works at the petting zoo we had just come from. He suggested we go down the road to check out the covered bridge.

While the rest of the clan returned to the resort for an early evening of swimming, I went to the airport to pick up Bev who was now able to join us. On Wednesday, we all went to Clingmans Dome within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park–the most visited national park in the nation (surprising to me). At the North Carolina/Tennessee border, Clingmans Dome is at an elevation of about 6,600 feet and is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail. Here are several shots at and near the peak.

Several of our group then hiked the trail to Laurel Falls, while the elder ones in our midst (Bev and I) rested. Not surprisingly, Bev and I were then ready to go the next day sooner than the rest of the group, most of whom slept in!! So, we went off on our own to Firefox Mountain Adventure Park, a rustic environment with the longest swinging bridge in the U.S. at 350 feet. There is also a rope canopy walkway, waterfalls, zip-lining, and other activities available. Here are a few shots from there.

Thursday ended with swimming and a family BBQ adjacent to the pool.

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As I’m writing this on Friday morning, I’m thinking about today — our last full day of the vacation — and reflecting on how great it is for all of us to have such a concentrated time together–especially the cousins. We’re already thinking about where and when our next family vacation will be.