The only photo taken while we were in Gatlinburg.

Okay, this is the only photo we took while we were actually in Gatlinburg. The reason for this is that if we had taken any other photos it would be of us eating, sleeping, walking around Walmart and sleeping again. Honestly, everything was closed for the season and the national park was closed for road repairs and weather. The snobby little gate keeper of the Smokey Mountain National Forest Welcome Center seemed to take great pride in letting us know that. I am going to go on a little rant here. This girl probably gets paid crap for what she does (answering the same questions over and over), I understand that. However, if you have this job and you get to wear the little ranger suit just go with it. There are two types of people who work in this field. One that loves wildlife, nature and being close to it gives them joy. Then there is this "you know what" who has this job for a power trip and the message it sends. If she thinks working in some glorified gift shop is helping the environment, then she is lost before she begins. She would be better off picking up trash on the highway somewhere. Between academics with there tax payer funded research proclaiming that the world is coming to an end and pseudo-rangers like this telling us where we can and can't go, I have had enough. I think it is no secret that I fancy myself an amateur horticulturist and dabble in the study of botany. I love being out in nature but damn it .......these people zap the fun out of something I love. You can't watch a nature show on TV anymore without a disclaimer, "by the way, every animal that you just saw running around, eating, playing, and wondering what the hell a man in a tree with a camera is doing in their home... is going to die from the actions of man." Here is another personal favorite. Keep in mind I just saw an alligator rip a defenseless baby flamingo to pieces. The next clip starts out by saying "the alligators only predator is MAN". Same goes for blue whales, elephants, the great white shark and so on and so on. What makes these animals any more special than the baby flamingo? Everyone deserves a predator I say.

On a completely different note, I would like to say something about my wife. Jenn does an outstanding job of capturing the moment with her words, reflecting on our day to day lives in a way that gives our family purpose. A reason to enjoy events no matter the importance. Some of our best times have been some 30 minute trip we took in the van. Moments that would be lost in antiquity if not for Jenn. She works hard for little compensation, cares for our children beyond belief, and doesn't ask for much in return. I usually float around with different interest and hobbies. Always have something going on that takes up my time. It hasn't been until recently that I realized that Jenn's hobby is this family. Spending time together makes her happy. Taking pictures of our family and writing this blog makes her happy. Jenn lets me do pretty much anything I want when it comes to my interest but I think she deserves more of my time as a husband. This trip was about that. Jenn I loved walking around Walmart with you in Gatlinburg Tennessee and I hope you did to.