The best way to start my recaps of our Tennessee vacation is to talk about our cabin. We loved our cabin. It was cozy and warm and spacious. It had all of the amenities we could have needed!
I spent hours scouring VRBO and Airbnb reviews to find our perfect mountain cabin for this vacation and when I came to this cabin’s listing, it immediately went on my favorites list because of the beautiful cabin and wonderful reviews. We were a little hesitant about the cabin when we learned there was no wifi connection, but we all have 5G on our phones and it was a strong signal, so we were fine.
We were situated in an area of Sevierville (which is a short distance from Gatlinburg) that is home to a ton of short-term rental properties (and most of them were bear-themed, as this one was). I didn’t love the twisty-turny mountain roads, that’s for sure, and I am very glad Robert was there to drive them for us. In general, it would take us almost 10 minutes to get from our cabin to the main road on an average day.
The cabin sleeps six, so there was more than enough space for the three of us (and two small dogs). I had the downstairs bedroom/bathroom and my mom/stepdad/dogs had the upstairs bedroom/bathroom. There was a spacious kitchen where Robert made more than a few meals for us. And there was a really great game room with a pool table and old-school arcade machine. On the large patio was a hot tub (we didn’t use it because the thought of being in the cold air to get into and out of the hot tub was too much for us!) and a grill that Robert used one night to make dinner. We also had a fireplace (so many kudos to Robert for being able to make a crackling fire every night and deal with the ashes the next day). Oh, and enough cannot be said about having a washer/dryer on vacation. On our last night, we stayed in and did our laundry so we came home with suitcases filled with clean clothes. AMAZING!
Here are some of the things I want to remember from this vacation and this cabin:
- Spending the evenings reading with my mom – This is one of my most treasured memories from childhood and now I get to have the same one as an adult. Between the two of us, we finished five books on this vacation!
- Lucy finding a squirrel nest in the tree and standing sentry by the window staring at it. She did not move from her spot for a long, long time.
- Playing games of pool with my mom and Robert. “Chalk it up! Chalk it up!”
- Waking up one morning, looking at my phone, and seeing “snow flurries” on my weather app. I couldn’t get outside fast enough! (There were no snow flurries at that time; they came a bit later.)
- The way the dogs looked in their winter coats. They were so cute it hurt! (Lucy looked like a little Inspector Gadget in her khaki jacket, and I couldn’t help singing the theme song every time she wore it.)
- Sitting outside on the patio on our first full day (it was the mildest day we would have) and reading my book while Lucy pattered around me.
- Having a low-key day in the cabin halfway through our trip, which was so very needed and completely delightful.
- Waking up every morning to the most beautiful views that took my breath away every time.
Wow. Just wow. And that bear nativity is too cute. I want it!
I had no idea there were bear nativity scenes, but now I do!
It looks so gorgeous there! I love that you got to spend one day sitting outside and later experience the snow too. Best of both worlds!
To come back with clean clothes in your suitcase is AMAZING!!!!
It truly was amazing! And we got the easy kind of snow that didn’t keep us inside, which was nice!
Ooh- snow flurries! How exciting! It looks so beautiful. And I’m glad Chip and Lucy were there too! I can’t wait to hear more about the trip.
Chip and Lucy had such a good time. It was fun to have them with us on this trip! It helped with the sadness I had about leaving my kitties!
the bear nativity! ha ha ha!! So beautiful— I might book this cabin for a stop on our way to Hilton Head (minne can share a bed…)
Oh, I hope you do! And you can see my entry in the guest book. 🙂 Let me know if you want me to send you the VRBO listing!
Snow! How exciting for you! (I’m currently less enthused about snow since I had to go dig my snowpants out of storage because we are in the middle of a blizzard.)
That cabin looks SO PRETTY and it is so nice that you were able to bring along the dogs. I love a good vacation where I don’t have to worry about my pets!
It was so nice having the dogs with us on this vacation! They loved the cabin and all the news smells outside!
Oh good; I have been looking forward to this recap! That cabin looks fun and secluded enough that you could feel like you were all on your own! And what views! Very nice. I love snow flurries when I am safe and sound and warm; there is nothing better than sitting in front of the fire with a good book and a glass of wine or hot cocoa while the snow flies! Also, Robert sounds like a good guy to have around!
We definitely felt secluded! It was nice to feel like we were in our own cozy haven and away from the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg.
It looks so pretty and cozy! What a lovely way to spend a holiday. It sounds like you got a lot of rest and relaxation! And I’m happy you got some snow!
Thank you! It was so fun to wake up to snow flurries. It made for a magical Friday for us.
What a beautiful home!! I am so glad you all had such a great getaway. It looks so very cozy and I am glad you got to see some snow flurries! I know that is super novel for you! We’ve had little snow this winter that the boys get extra excited for snow flurries! I have enjoyed them, too, since we haven’t had to do much shoveling. I don’t think Phil is ever happy about them, though. Ha.
While it would have been even more magical to get an actual snowfall, I was more than happy with the snow flurries since it meant we didn’t have to park ourselves inside for the day! I’m sure snow is not fun to deal with!
What a beautiful spot, and the cabin looks to be PERFECT. I’m glad you had such a wonderful, relaxing time with your mom and her dogs!
Thank you! The cabin was so perfect for us. We really enjoyed it!
Those views are everything.
It sounds like such a nice get-away. Cozy fire, snow flurries, reading, good food. I would have used the hot tub though.
We should have used the hot tub! I was keen on it, but my mom and stepdad were not, so it didn’t get used. Womp!
That cabin looks amazing! I am so happy for you and your fun time. And to come home from vacation without a ton of dirty laundry sounds great.
Thank you! It was a really great vacation and the cabin to come home to each day was so nice.
What a cozy getaway! We went to Tennessee in 2022, but the other side of Smoky Mountain National Park and it was so beautiful and relaxing. I agree – the view of those mountains every morning – so breathtaking!
The mountain view is EVERYTHING to me, especially living in Florida where everything is just FLAT, haha.
OMG, what a beautiful cabin and epic getaway!
I could have met you there! It’s nearly halfway between Madison and Tampa. Did you do the drive in one day? And I agree – Robert is definitely a person you want around in a cabin in a wooded mountain area!
I desperately want to go to Great Smoky National Park. You need reservations now in peak visiting times, along with a lot of other national parks. Sigh. I would have to go at an off time, anyway, so that might work in my favor. So many places on the to-see list, so little time! Thanks for sharing your lovely experience.
Oh, and yes – reading with your mom/family in the evening is the BEST. I love it. <3