Ways of Finding Meaning in a Gatlinburg Vacation

I’m guilty at times of indulging in some of the excesses in Gatlinburg, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not there to find meaning from my visit. There is so much gained from a trip to Gatlinburg; some of it barely registers on your meter until you arrive. I’m going to talk about the things that were never planned, and now are moments to be cherished and anticipated with every single visit.

While itineraries are a staple of my family’s Gatlinburg vacation, they are often made to be broken, and only serve as a guide for what we want to accomplish. The stuff left off the planned list of activities are what gives me the most pleasure, whether it’s mental, emotional, physical, or even sometimes a combination of all three at once. It’s that mix which seemingly unlocks a fourth dimension not understood before we knew there was such a place like Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains.

If you really want something gained from a Gatlinburg visit, you need to find your happiness, and if it involves something more than the bells and whistles that ring your ears downtown, then you truly may benefit. You can literally and figuratively lose yourself in the Smoky Mountains, located at the end of the drive through town. Hiking trails of all challenges are available; the waterfalls are beautiful and plentiful; the mountains are simply rich with beauty; and history is still very much on display in many areas of the Park. Your personal discovery can be found in any one or more of this exquisite landscape.

Sometimes meaning is found where you least expect it: on the streets of Gatlinburg. Honestly, this was the last place I figured to be inspired. I’m far from the first and certainly not the last to have a moment while taking a nice morning stroll on the quiet downtown concrete blocks. You get to see the town waking up with the early morning light: there are a few early-risers jogging; delivery trucks…delivering; the sun peeking over the mountains, store-fronts anticipating the daily crowd rush. The first time I did this, I knew I had something, but I couldn’t describe it. Now, I can’t imagine a visit without my morning adventure. You can get lost in your own special way.

Since I’m a natural introvert, this one resonates with me, and is simply an extension of my last point in the search for meaning. Of course I’m talking about finding your quiet place. For many, this is a constant struggle, and almost impossible to find. My wife found hers along the river with her favorite book. A solo walk on the Gatlinburg Trail is where I discover my supplemental peace and respite. However you find yours is open to exploration. The options are plentiful and endless.

Life is full of twists and turns, and it only truly slows down for us when we’re here. Even as I’m writing this, I’m fighting the constant anxieties and struggles with the present and immediate future. While your primary focus should be on the current state of affairs, it’s to no fault of anyone why we look to some shining moment that’s in our dreams or plans for the future. The Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg can give you meaning more significant than imaginable. I hope you find yours.