by: Shelly Simmons

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Adventuring should be a priority in life, but adventuring doesn’t have to mean climbing miles for a spectacular mountain vista. Adventuring can simply be a drive into the forest, a stop off in a small town, or relishing in the beauty and peacefulness of what surrounds you.

Recently, my husband and I spent a half day in Bryson City, which is known for the touristy Great Smoky Mountain Railroad stationed in town. Our motive for driving to this little time-gone-by town wasn’t to hop on a steam engine for a railway adventure through the dense summertime forests of the Smokey’s. My husband had a much more relaxing and romantic adventure in mind for us. A splendid secret was planned and kept from me for weeks, and I learned from sharing our travel photos on social media that it’s a secret place many others aren’t aware of either.

Imagine a deep, over-sized bathtub, nestled atop a mountain overlooking Fontana Lake. The tub is surrounded by a three-sided wooden cabana, immersed in the forest trees; hidden for privacy yet only a few minutes walk up a quiet trail from the nearby spa resort. Inside, two spa robes hang in waiting and a small table holds glass jars filled with your choice of scented bath salts. Sensual music plays in the background and the only thing standing between you and total serenity is the humming noise of traffic below; an unfortunate reality that we can almost never escape. Still, not distracting enough to take your mind back to the city. The experience keeps you in the moment.

Lakeview at Fontana is utterly enchanting; a surprising gem just outside Bryson City. After ninety minutes of luxurious relaxation and pure, unadulterated romance, the only thing on this couple’s mind was….food. Hey, don’t judge. We’re over forty and priorities change after forty!

A quick drive back into town brought us to Pasqualino’s, a restaurant with an “everyone knows your name” vibe. The owner was distinctly Italian and not afraid to bus tables in between talking purposefully with his customers. I must plug the complimentary fresh breadsticks with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Divine.

After dinner, the drizzling rain didn’t stop us from exploring the town shops. Many of them seem to have been frozen in time. Bryson City has charm and character, much like the fictitious Mayberry. I could almost see Gomer Pyle yelling out, “Citizens arrest!” to a befuddled Barney Fife in the street and Floyd the Barber dashing suspiciously out of a now-decrepit corner barber shop to see what all the ruckus is about.

As the day ended and I drove my sleepy husband home, I smiled wide as I thought about how lucky I am to live in a place where beauty surrounds us at every turn of the steering wheel. Many of us will spend our weekends and free time doing very little...or worse: always working. While jobs fill your pockets, it is the adventures in life that fill your soul.