Stuff We Like #29 - Cabins in the Smokey Mountains

Hi everyone, Toni here for another episode of Stuff we like. This post got dropped in my lap this morning, while I was completely oblivious at work... let me tell you how it went down.

Angel: Early warning system - Tomorrow is Wednesday, SWL
Freddy: LOL, Whose turn?
Angel: Umm... Not it! (I did last week)
Freddy: I vote Toni
Angel: *nods* I second that *runs*
Then came a series of congratulatory stickers...
A half hour later I stumble upon the conversation...
Me: Yeah, thanks for that.

So here I am with no warning, as it's already Wednesday here, and a post to be written... I start thinking about what I like and I'm having some trouble coming up with anything interesting. I happened to see a copy of the new cover the talented Catherine Dair has done for the re release of my A Bear in the Woods story and I found the perfect idea.
The place that brought all us Mischiefers together in the beginning. The cabin in the Smokey Mountains just outside of Gatlinburg TN.

One of the back porches. The 'cabin' was three stories tall and slept at least 20 comfortably I would say

My brother, who accompanied me on the trip in the upstairs recreation area.

No matter the reason that brought us all together in the first place, that evil is done and buried and doesn't deserve to be brought up again. This cabin will hold a special place in my heart as it's where I met some truly amazing people and even though we were only there for 4 days the memories and friendships will last a life time. 

The living room, where we spent surprising little time.

This s a rare photo, with 7 authors and a marketing guru in the cabin these tables were filled, breakfast, lunch and dinner with all manner of electronic devices.

I had to admit to being a little worried about bringing my brother with me... I'd just recently separated from my husband at that time and didn't want to undertake this massive trip to the US by myself. I didn't know how he'd go being thrown into a cabin with a bunch of authors that wrote gay romance. (Don't get me wrong, my brother loves me and supports what I do.) I barely knew any of these people let alone make him stay there with me for the next 4 days.

I shouldn't have worried. Everyone loved him... It might have been his height (nearly 6'6) or the Aussie accent, or even his looks (Ewww... he's my brother) but he got along with everyone in the house. Especially the lovely Andi Anderson's hubby Chris. The two of them were as thick as thieves calling Bull...Shit (said in Chris's southern drawl) to just about everything.

The massive kitchen and the double fridges that housed our drinks

My room with a bed that is almost as high of the ground as I am tall.. That was the first and only time I have ever had to practically jump to get into bed.

Some of our drinks... everything one could want to be locked up in a cabin, water, alcohol, energy drinks and makings for smores (Which my brother and I had never tried until then)

The stunning views.

My time here was so special that when we decided to write a story involving cabin I knew I had to set mine here, and so the Smokey Mountain Bears were born. I hope you've enjoyed my little wonder down memory lane and my Stuff We Like post this week. Let me know if you have a place that you've been that holds special memories for you. Leave a comment to win a $10 amazon gift card.