Over the Christmas and New Year holiday, my wife and I decided to take a trip up to the Smoky Mountains. Let me tell you, it is one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

I was born in Lake Charles and raised right here in Southwest Louisiana. The biggest mountain I have ever seen is the mountain in Sulphur, but that's just the trash dump. The highest hill or mountain I've ever driven over was a speed bump in a parking lot.

When we got north of Atlanta and started seeing the landscape change, it was beautiful. We stayed in Maggie Valley, North Carolina about 20 miles from the Tennessee border. East Tennessee and Northern North Carolina where the Smoky Mountains are located are unbelievable.

We stayed at my sister and husband's vacation home, which is a two story home located on the side of a mountain that gave us the most spectacular views of the mountains and beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Photo by Mike Soileau TSM
Photo by Mike Soileau TSM
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We visited Cherokee, which was only 15 miles from us but took 35 minutes to drive because you are basically driving up one side of the mountain and coming down the other at 35mph through a series of twists and turns and let me tell you, the drive is crazy and nerve-racking.

I thought I would share with you some pictures of this beautiful part of our country and give you the tip that if you are looking for a vacation destination in 2021, geaux here!

A Visit To The Smoky Mountains

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