Remember how excited you were when the last bell rang at school for the summer? From catching fireflies and playing in the creek to coming home right at dusk, summertime was free time; fun time.

Now you’re an adult and fun is no longer in your vocabulary. Sure, you take a long weekend here and there, but when was the last time you had silly fun?

This summer get out there. There are more than 50 National Parks, hundreds of State Parks and National Forests where fun is abundant.  On every twisty road there’s always a meandering stream. Stop and have a picnic, roll up your pants and put your feet in. Find a cool rock.  Climb a waterfall. Get a group together and stay in motorcycle cabin…eat a hot dog…a drippy, messy ice cream cone…you get the point. Find your inner five year old.

This weekend we rode the Cherohala Skyway, visited Highlands, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. We spent almost all day Saturday  on Highway 64 and were treated to amazing curves, over-flowing waterfalls and a taste of Memorial Day Americana.  We stayed in the Mountainview Cabins in Tellico Plains and woke hungry for breakfast. The B&B roadside cafe looked like a fruit stand but advertised country cooking. Walking in, I noticed a granny in the kitchen cooking on stoves and pans found in our houses. She was smiling and wearing a dress and Crocs. Turns out she’s 80 years young and makes a mean breakfast.  In between orders she rests on her walker equipped with a seat.  🙂

Our bellies full, we continued our ride. We saw people having fun. We were having fun. Our Butler map showed us some new roads and if you don’t have Butler maps for your riding areas, you need to get them. They show all the great riding roads and a lot more. They’re waterproof and can be folded in any way which is great because I can never fold a map back.

On Sunday we made our way home, tired but happy and thankful. My heart felt thanks goes out to all who have served our country so that we can be free to find our inner five year old and anything else we seek.

xoxo