Once everything was packed and loaded into the car, we hit the road—although our first stop was just around the corner at Whole Foods to collect an Amazon order (so easy and convenient!).
The total journey was supposed to take around 3 hours and 20 minutes, but somehow it managed to take most of the day. We also lost an hour when we crossed back into Eastern Standard Time, which didn’t help our sense of timing.
Our first proper stop was at the iconic Buc-ee’s. If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know we love a Buc-ee’s—there really is nothing quite like it. These places are enormous and stocked with everything you could possibly want (or didn’t know you needed), and the bathrooms are famously spotless—so it’s always a must-stop for us.
We decided it would double as our lunch stop, so it was brisket burgers and a three-meat club sandwich, washed down with huge frozen Cokes. After eating, we had a wander to check out the endless shelves of snacks, merch, and novelties. I was very tempted by the Buc-ee’s bikini —so you might be disappointed to know I left it behind… for now.
Back on the road, we carried on until Knoxville, where we made a quick detour to the mall for some Lululemon leggings for Sophia. Let’s just say, based on those prices, we won’t be making a habit of it—maybe Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods are already kicking in!
Afterwards, we had a stroll around the Market Square District. It’s a lovely area, but sadly it was also clear that the city has some significant challenges with homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse.
Mark had already scoped out the best ice cream spot in town—Cruze Farm—and it definitely lived up to its reputation. Sadly, they were out of the pistachio flavor, but the other choices made up for it.
We jumped back in the car for the final leg of the trip, about 40 minutes further, stopping briefly at Publix to grab supplies for breakfast and dinner. The drive took us through Pigeon Forge—which feels like someone took a family amusement park, added a dozen dinner theaters, a replica Titanic, and a wax museum, and dropped it in the middle of the Smoky Mountains. It’s chaotic, colorful, and kitschy—with something quirky to see at every turn. You’re never quite sure whether to laugh, take a photo, or do both.
Eventually, we turned off the main road and made our way up a bumpy dirt track into the woods, arriving at our cozy cabin, which will be home for the next four nights. It’s peaceful, surrounded by trees, and the perfect place to unwind after a full day on the road.
