Comin' Home Part 3: Knoxville

After 4ish days at the cabin, I waved goodbye to Matthew, Katie, Michael, Sarah, and Simon and headed to Knoxville with Laura.

I got to stay with Laura and Lee in their new house.  It was great.  Seriously, I'm so excited to see them settle here over the next years and to see what happens within that community...(community garden?? art house?? hmmm....)

I really like these people.  It was so good to get to spend time with them.  

While I was in Knoxville, I also got to spend some good time with family.  My aunt and cousins came over for the weekend and met up with my other aunt and cousins, my grandfather, and my mom and me for a hike and day o' fun in Gatlinburg.

Nothing like walking around Gatlinburg (which I didn't take any pictures of because my phone died at this point) when it's a million degrees.  But I got some tasty ice cream out of the deal, so I'd say it was worth it.  Anyway, a hike, a pizza, a hot walk around the redneck mecca of the world, an ice cream, and a climbing wall later, we parted ways for the day.  But, don't you worry, we also spent the whole next day together at my grandparent's house eating food and celebrating Ben and Arlen's birthdays (which we somehow managed to have 100 cakes for...seriously, it was crazy).  All in all a good weekend.  And it was great to see the whole family and be together for more than just a couple of hours.  

Also while I was in Knoxville, I got to spend one night with my dear friends Jamie and Tony.  They live in Virigina, close to D.C. and came down for the weekend.  I didn't get to spend much time with them, just time enough to eat some Mexican food and drink a margarita, but it was good nonetheless.  I was so happy they were able to make it down for the visit.  

Overall, it was a really great time in Knoxville full of family and friends who I hadn't seen in way too long.  And I'm so thankful that people were willing to spend time with me, even if they had to go out of their way to do.  Also, I'm thankful for peaches and thrift store record finds....it doesn't get much better than that.  

Thanks Knoxville!