Five Reasons I Love Living in the Smokies-- after New York, Chicago, Tampa, Phoenix etc....

I grew up in this area, close to the mountains, and went away for a long time. I always knew I would come back, and one day my husband and I said "just do it" and so we did. We've been back almost 2 years, and cherish every minute...here's some reasons why!

•1. The people are genuinely nicer.

•2. There a 4 gentle seasons with just enough highlights like a snow day here and there to keep it interesting festive (this is meaningful to those in Florida who have to Christmas shop in their shorts).

•3. The pace of life is a little slower-it's easier to let go once you learn to downshift....yes, it IS mandatory to have a 3 minute personal conversation before you get around to asking for the fax to be sent...

•4. I finally learned about the "bless her heart" thing---it's not always a compliment, but delivered with such sincerity and southern charm that you don't realize it isn't a compliment til 10 minutes later.....

•5. You get to drive through the national park on the way to work and when you get to work you are still in the park, you get to listen to the stream bubble all day, and watch the trees and snowflakes and maybe see the 3 bears that hang out in the parking lot

•6. There are lots of people who have a connection to the natural beauty and serenity of this special place-they "get it"

•7. It has a small town-ness but close enough to bigger cities if you need them-(just seem to need them less and less)

•8. It's really festive--you have never seen a town that decorates with lights and flowers and parades etc. etc. like Gatlinburg!

OK--- it's more than 5!