I have officially fallen in love with this place.
I just got back from walking Goldie up the hill from my new apartment. Up Up Up we go and I’m almost even with the Gatlinburg Space Needle. And it is at this point that I realize, I love this place.
I got here in a weird, wacky, way. I never would’ve imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be here, not in a million year. But somehow, magically, leaving and arriving all worked out. I am living in a beautiful mountain town, again….finally.
My dogs are settled in and I have stopped worrying about them when I leave each morning to go to work or on a run.
I am running and hiking and doing all the things that make me happy. I’m training for next year’s Leadville and feel like I’m on track.
I live two miles from the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park. It will take me 10 minutes to drive to a trailhead to a 4,000 footer.
The people here are fun, engaging and kind.
I got very, very lucky. Big time.
This weekend I discovered there is an REI in Pigeon Forge. I could only buy online when I lived in NH. I walked through the store thinking of all the possibilities; and seeing all the winter coats, longing for winter. I bought maps and guidebooks and Nuun electrolytes.
That is my update. My next post will be about Mount LeConte. Thanks for reading.