I feel like I’m on a winter kick right now. So I decided to take it back a few years and post about a road trip with probably the coolest parents on earth, my parents. It was just the three of us: My mom, dad, and me in a Honda running away from tornado sirens. This is not an exaggeration. We had planned this road trip for months. A few days before we left- there were tons of tornado warnings but we took out the GPS and made sure that we stayed clear of any high risk areas. Which if you know tornadoes-you know this is a load of crap because there is no rhyme or reason for the winds may turn. So there we went risking it all to see something new from Oklahoma to Tennessee.

Memphis, TN. First stop was Memphis! After hours and hours of small or deserted towns we finally reached Memphis, Tennessee. We wanted to make a stop at Graceland but we were on a mission to the Smokey Mountains and from all the reviews and research we did – Graceland would take up at least half a day. We had to be choosy with our time and opted to visit the the National Civil Rights Museum.

The Lorraine Motel is where the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. took place. This location is now the National Civil Rights Museum. I do not have words to express how meaningful this was to my immigrant parents. I highly suggest you visit this museum and learn how much positive change has occurred because of the Civil Rights Movement.

After visiting the museum we got some food at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. We went to the Original location on Front Street in Downtown Memphis. The line was out the door-which once you entered made perfect sense, since the restaurant seating area was not large. No frills just great family style food which makes for good fun and conversation. We devoured-and I mean devoured that whole fried chicken and all the fixings. We then ordered another bucket just to take with us on the road to Nashville Tennessee.

Nashville, TN. PLEASE VISIT BROADWAY STREET. We did not go to Broadway Street on this trip. I had no idea what Broadway Street was until a few years later when I went on a girls trip. So on our very short lived Nashville stop we visited the Nashville Parthenon and ate some more fried chicken at Hattie B’s and went back on the road to our next stop.

Gaitlinburg, TN. I’m pretty sure it was around 7am when I could finally see the Great Smokey Mountains. I had been driving through the night, listening to music and talking to nocturnal friends while my parents were fast asleep. The moment a peek of light flooded through the mountains I could finally see how vast and gorgeous this place was. Through a hint of sunrise the shadows and lines appeared. I cried. It was quiet not many cars on the road and all you could see was pockets of fog rolling down the never ending mountainsides. I had streams of tears. I believe living in Oklahoma probably didn’t help. Our biggest mountain in comparison is a hill. I was in shock. I feel this way most times I enter a National Park. But here I was just driving on a highway to our lodging and this place had me emotional.

Story time! We almost became hypothermic and froze to death in the Smokey Mountains. I probably will state this multiple times. We are not winter people. My parents being filipino are also not winter people. So clearly we thought let’s wing it- instead of let’s do some research. This is why our Denver winter trip was more prepared. That phrase learn from your mistakes was a result of almost getting lost in the Smokey Mountains.

So when we started our hike at 3 pm we didn’t think “oh complete darkness will fall upon us at 6pm”. My parents have some physical issues but they love to walk. They’re slow and steady and with the amount of pictures we take with breaks here and there caused a short 2 mile hike (one hour predicted completion) to increase in time. We were following what we thought to be the trail. Apparently there was fresh snowfall in certain areas and the true trail was hidden.

First things first, do not panic. We simply kept walking. It was now around 5pm. We could see an option for a trail that some may have used by walking through two large wooden logs over a large dam of sticks and trees. A descent sized river flowing down over it. It looked slippery, the river, snow, ice, and parents with Ugg boots. Yah, this wasn’t going to end well.

My dad an Army Veteran with mobility issues said, “No we can’t take this way, I’ll find a safer path.” And that he did, but it took another 45 minutes. By this time it was golden hour and the sunset rushed like it was late for an appointment. We found ourselves in a random campsite that had a road- so we followed that road as it got darker and darker.

With only the moonlight to lead us, I told my parents to keep walking down this road and I will find the car and drive to them. They didn’t want us to separate but we had no idea where we were in terms of the vehicle and the temperature was dropping rapidly once the moon appeared. I ran as fast as I could down this road, clicking my car’s panic button. Nothing, nothing, nothing, until I heard a boop boop. Yes! I stopped taking the road path and took a direct path to where I saw my car lights blinking.

My windshield was frozen, I heated the car, shaking. The snow flurries started falling down. Once I could safely drive, I started up the road toward where my parents could be. And there it was a gate. A GATE. CURSED BE THIS DAY. I learned that day, during the winter, they lock up these campsites- probably because its dangerously cold.

I jumped out of my car. Left it running on parked and locked so it could be warm when my parents came in. With my hiking whistle and my headlight-on blinking mode, I sprinted towards the road in complete darkness only the moonlight and my headlight to guide me. Of course there were multiple off-shoot roads. I had to guess where I came from prior to finding the car. Blowing my whistle over and over again until I heard my name in the distance.

I started screaming “Mom? Dad?” We found each other. They were shaking but they kept moving. “Where’s the car?” I told them what happened but we were so close. They opted to take the road path directly since it was physically easier to manage. “Don’t worry the car is on-the heater blasted.”

Once we got into the car, my mom kept saying “I was scared but I didn’t want to say anything, I was so scared but what an adventure.” We were finally together and most importantly safe.

On our way out almost to the exit of the trailhead – a Park Ranger truck was coming our way. He waved us over with windows rolled down and asked “Are there any cars parked?” I said “No, Sir we are the last car.” The Ranger said, “Ok, good, we have a lot of lost hikers during the winter, I guess I don’t need to send a search party tonight.”

We all stayed fairly quiet during that ride back to to our lodging. The next morning rested and warm. We decided we needed a relaxation day and we did a winter grill out instead of our selected hike of the day.

I felt so responsible for their safety. My parents love the outdoors and thats why I have an affinity towards all things wilderness. I never went into any hike blindly after this- no matter what season or the length of the hike. I downloaded ALL TRAILS, and I read the hikers comments for insight, search the photos for details, download the maps and I pay extra for the emergency services. Never again, that was one of the more scarring adventures I’ve had.

Hot Springs, AR. We left the beautiful mountains of Tennessee and decided to take another path home and visited Hot Springs, Arkansas. We definitely needed a relaxing stop at the Buckstaff Bath House! What a change from the winter wonderland. Very different experience than most spas in the U.S. This was a Roman style bathhouse. Each guest has a hostess that takes them through different areas of the spa and each person gets their own private experience. First, you change into bathrobes and your hostess takes you to your individual steam room. Once that’s complete you move on to the hot spring mineral water tubs. The bath tubs are very old school lined up in a row each and sectioned off with shower curtains for privacy. The hostess has you take a dip and scrubs your dead skin off your body with a natural loofa that you take home. You get to relax and soak in all the minerals and healing properties. Then of course my favorite part the full body massage.

We had lunch nearby and made our way back to Oklahoma.

Hoping this adventure encourages you take the time to go on a road trip with your parent(s). Especially as an adult you see how great life can be. Just make sure you stay safe, extreme weather hikes can be very dangerous!

Come back next week!

Love,
Mamas