We’re back! Oh man! Smoky Mountain National Park exceeded expectations as far as I’m concerned. This was the 14th National Park we’ve visited in the last 3 years.

We began our adventure at the Sugarlands Visior Center on the northern tip of the park. The rangers and workers were super helpful and kind, as is the case with the National Park Service. I always have a short list of things I want to see whenever we visit a National Park. There were only 2 for this visit: a waterfall and wildlife (hopefully a bear).

We hiked up to a double waterfall when we got there and, since it’s the most visited National Park and it was Memorial Day weekend, you can imagine, it was busy.

When we got to the top of the waterfall, I took some pictures of Nick and giggled at the little kids splashing around under the fall. Then, I noticed the waterfall kept going and going and going. I needed to climb down.

And climb down we did. It was, as corny as it sounds, majestic.

We then hiked all around the park, going off the trails a bit so I could find my bear. No such luck. 1,600 black bears in the park and I couldn’t find one!

We got in the car and started driving. Everywhere we pulled off to enjoy the view was so beautiful. The kind of beautiful that takes your breath away and brings a tear to your eye. Well, my eye, anyway.

And then it happened. We pulled off to a cliff with a few people standing around. I thought it was to enjoy the view again, but I heard Nick shout my name “Marie! Over here!”

I ran over and saw a mama bear and 2 baby cubs climbing up a mountain and almost lost it. It was so amazing. Then I saw one of the cubs tumble over and I couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

We’re so lucky to have our National Parks. They are truly awe-inspiring.

There’s so much more, but this is a cooking website, so I won’t keep babbling on, except to say, if you have the opportunity, please go visit Smoky Mountain National Park. You will not be sorry.

We headed further south to meet up with my in-laws in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Hilton Head was so much fun! We met Nick’s parents around dinner time and almost immediately, Nick jumped in the pool at the place where we were staying. Classic Nick. My father-in-law, Tim, grilled up some cheeseburgers and we enjoyed them on the back porch overlooking one of the billion golf courses on Hilton Head island.

I bought my mother-in-law, Mary Margaret, a beach bocce ball set, thinking we’d play on the beach the following day when my sister-in-law, Lindsey, was coming to join us.

The Atlantic Ocean, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Tim, on the other hand, had an even better idea. The golf course closed at 8pm, so why not play bocce ball there? Done and done. We had so much fun, laughing and having a few beers, while Tim kicked all of our butts. Now I know where Nick gets all his natural talent from; not that I didn’t know before. His parents are amazing at everything.

Lindsey joined us the next day and for 2 days, we went bike riding, ate great food (the Salty Dog in Hilton Head is fresh and delicious), played mini golf, and jumped in pools and the ocean. In fact, so far this year, Nick and I have been lucky enough to dip our toes in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans!

Unfortunately, it was time for us to leave, but I had a plan.

Conagree National Park, which I had never heard of until about 1 week before, was only 20 minutes off our route on the way home. “Can we please visit?” I asked Nick. He gave in. I’m so lucky.

Our 15th National Park was Conagree, and man oh man did it feel like another world.

It’s a swamp, as far as I could tell. We walked along the boardwalk, shaded with trees and swampland. We could see from their wet footsteps where frogs and other creatures had passed just before us.

I’m not going to lie, at times, it was a little creepy, being secluded in a swamp. But dang was it beautiful. Again, we’re so lucky to have our National Parks. Conagree was so different and interesting. It’s in Hopkins, South Carolina, if you’re ever around those parts. It’s worth the trip.

Now, we’re back home and the weather is warm and sunny in Milford, Michigan. Mom came over today for some Italian beef sandwiches and peach cobbler.

It’s been another great (#campbellkellyroadtrip) trip for us, but it’s always nice to be home.

Smokies, Hilton Head, Conagree