Awe

As children, the world around us fills our hearts with wonder. Wow, a moving car! Wow, a phone! Wow, ice cream! As we get older, our sense of wonder slowly disappears as we become more jaded and worn down from reality. It's a feeling that often nags me as I grieve that lost sense of magical joy that used to easily come. The synchronous fireflies of the Smoky Mountains reignited my sense of wonder. I know it's cliche to say words just can't describe this, but truly, words just can't describe what we saw. The closest thing in the moment that I could think of was having a front row seat to the world's tiniest fairy rave within a forest. In an instant, tiny bright lights would surround you, then a moment later, pure darkness. Then repeat. It was awe in its purest form. 

Have we done other things? Of course, but also, it's hard to compare. Did I try Dude Eggs? Yes, they are gross. Did I try pickled peeps? Yes, they are also gross. Did I see the hole to hell? Yes, it's in the shape of a stump on the ground in the Smoky Mountains. Am I allowed to break into our airbnb and stay there unnoticed forever? Unlikely, but I definitely considered it and half made a plan. Did we re-live the Goonies experience and push our fears of being in total pitch darkness? Oh yeah.

Part of me never wants to go home, but I know traveling is going to exhaust me in many ways. I'm currently partially down for the count and resting in a hotel in Alabama and hoping I wake up a new person in the morning. We are headed to the Cherokee Rock Village and will attempt some outdoor bouldering. Why? Because why not? 

Also, we saw a REAL SATURN V. That was very cool and filled bucket list for many on this trip.