I’m leaving Tennessee for Arizona this morning (see Tour Page for details).  I’ve been charged by my seven year-old with the task of taking a picture of a cactus while I’m away.  But she’s half-hearted about it, knowing that the perfect cactus specimen is no match for what we just left in Cherokee National Park.

Cabin at Mountain Stream Cabins in Cherokee National Park Tennessee

We spent four days in – seriously – the most beautiful little slice of earth I’ve ever walked.  Greens that look fake in photographs.  The canopy of trees overhead was so dense the space we played on underneath was a cool and dim dusk no matter what time of day. 

Cabin at Mountain Stream Cabins in Cherokee National Park Tennessee

A creek ran behind our small wooden cabin – the easy trickle and miscellaneous woodland bug sounds made a nap possible and downright tempting anytime of day.  Sure, there was rain off and on everyday but it kept us cool and gave us big people an excuse to come out of the woods and sit a spell on the porch with a cold plastic cup of sweet tea.

Cabin at Mountain Stream Cabins in Cherokee National Park Tennessee

I will miss you, Tennessee.