This one’s gonna be pretty image-heavy, so make yourself comfortable! ;) So here’s the story- For almost a year (I believe), Lorie and I were planning a surprise trip for our guys. :) Nathan had never gone and stayed in a cabin before, or seen east Tennessee, let alone in the fall, so we knew where we wanted to go immediately! The whole trip was full of surprises (more than Lorie knew, even), so when we put the guys in the car, they had no idea where we were taking them! Our first surprise for them was a day at Dollywood, which none of us had gone to before. :) Being a total Disney snob, I thought we’d be laughing at it, but I looooooooved it!!
This was the front entrance:
Dollywood had to be the most beautiful amusement park ever. I mean, even waiting in line was gorgeous. :)
While part of Dollywood is rides and attractions, the other has an actual chapel, and a lot of craftsmen making furniture, guitars, brooms… A little of everything. It’s kind of like a permanent crafts fair.
Santa’s brother talking with a scarecrow.
I loved the gift shop up front. :)
Prettiest parking lot ever!
So after that surprise was done, we threw the guys in the car and headed to secret spot #2.
Ta-da!! Well, turns out we didn’t get a photo of the front of our cabin, but this is the bedroom Nate & I stayed in.
It was absolutely gorgeous- I can’t wait to go back. :)
The view from the kitchen window…
… And the view from the 3 back porches. (Yes, 3!)
Another view from the back porch- I love autumn leaves when they’re soaked. :)
The view looking down from the top porch.
I didn’t include photos ’cause we didn’t take any, but we also surprised the guys by taking them to the Dixieland Stampede that night. (Yeehaw!) After the show was a big moment for me- It was the first time in about 5 months that I had just sat down to watch a movie. Lorie and I watched Stepmom (one of my favorites to watch around Autumn), and the guys went downstairs and played pool.
Nate and Jon went for a hike around the cabin the next morning. :)
I loved taking these roads!
What it looks like from a car window. :)
The NEXT surprise was on Halloween, actually… We went to the University of Tennessee, where Lorie, Jon, and I went to school for a while. The 3 of us hadn’t been back since, and I loved having the chance to show Nate around my old stompin’ grounds. The next 2 photos are the most meaningful- The bench Lorie and I are sitting on is the VERY spot where I begged her to do the Walt Disney World College Program with me! I wouldn’t have done it without her, and she would never have met Jon, I never would have met Nate. How crazy! I thought the bench deserved a photo. :) The one on the right was my dorm, South Carrick. :)
The Quad where I spent most of my time. :)
Neyland Stadium!
We’d purposefully picked Halloween week to go because this was the only game Nate and I didn’t have a wedding booked. :)
I loved that it was the black out game on Halloween! The Pride of the Southland Band performed a Halloween medley. :)
Jack from Nightmare Before Christmas!
That’s better. :)
After the game- I can honestly say I’d never been so cold and wet for such a long period of time. I was miiiiiiserable, but we had fun, regardless. :) Oh, and UT won, too!
I love this photo of Lorie and Jon… It’s extra special, because while she and I were planning this surprise trip for the guys, she had nooooooo idea Jon was planning on proposing the next day! :)
Our last morning in the cabin before heading to the next surprise (see above). :)
Nerds. ;)
*Swoooooooooooooooooooon!*
Our cabin was off this road, which I loved, cause we stayed there over Halloween. :)
The biggest surprise yet to come on Sunday! :)
Wow – love the photos, and the story behind them even more! It is barely starting to feel like Summer around here, and your post already has me looking forward to Autumn!
Can’t wait for the Sunday update!!!
Me too, Trish! I’m the kinda person that wouldn’t mind skipping summer entirely… Especially here in FL!
I love all the Vols Fever! Is that my younger brother walking to class in one of those pictures? We are headed to Pigeon Forge this weekend and had planned on skipping Dollywood. I don’t think I can now after seeing Annabelle’s Baked Taters, yum.
How funny if that was your brother! No, Dollywood is a MUST see!! I can’t wait to go back. :)
Looks like a great time!
Too much fun!
Well now I REALLY want to go to Tennessee in the fall!! These pictures are amazing- perfect postcard to make anyone want to go there! How did you find the cabins?!
You totally should! Just wait til after October and we could meet up with you! We found the cabin hunting for ages online- I’d be more than happy to send you the site- The company was great! :)
Gorgeous photos! looks like y’all had tons of fun! One of Alex and I’s favorite places to visit every fall/winter. Hopefully you guys played some indoor mini golf while you were there! ;)
We sure didn’t- Our schedule was pretty packed! We’ll definitely add that to our to-do list next time. ;)
okay, the only thing i dont like is all the vols (sorry, im a gator fan, just stuck in tennessee!) but welcome back to Tennessee :] i moved here from Tampa last year and I LOVE IT!
Just give yourself some time and you’ll have Vol fever before you know it! ;)
Fantastic pictures from Dollywood. My dbf’s parents have a vacation home on Bluff Mountain, isn’t the area just gorgeous? Your pictures are stunning.
The picture of you and Lorie on the bench and the story behind it is so sweet. Isn’t it amazing how one decision can change your entire life?
I always enjoy the pictures of Jensey hamming it up for the camera. Great couples pictures.
That area is sooooo gorgeous- I’m jealous of your parents! It is amazing how one decision changes everything. I’m such a lucky girl. :)
hope you enjoyed my hometown (knoxville)!! :) the pictures are great!!
So when are we going back? PS the photo of Jon and I at Neyland is really sweet. I didn’t remember that one.
I’ve been fangirling over your photos since I read LurkyLoo/Carrie’s posts over at TheDis and plotting against every single guy I know in hopes of having my own Disney wedding shot by the Roots! It really is a small world after all… I graduated from UTK in 2006! Loving your pics of East Tennessee and Dollywood. :)
OH! Should have added this to the last comment….
I was in the Pride while in college and was wondering if you had any shots of Pregame? Would they possibly be available for purchase?