Smoky Mountain Getaway is Teens Happy Place

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (September 2021): Cole’s favorite place to be is outdoors in the solitude of nature and hiking trails. He especially loves being lakeside or in the high elevation of mountains with picturesque views of the landscape below. Kids Wish Network made his dream come true with a Tennessee getaway in the Smoky Mountains.

Elk Springs Resort Cabin Rentals provided Cole’s family with a beautiful cabin called Majestic Views, named after the sweeping scenery of Mt. LeConte and the Great Smoky Mountains. “We spent most of our time hiking and enjoying the house,” said Cole. “The house was amazing!” The many windows put nature on stage, and there was even a bear spotting in the creek. Nights were also magical relaxing on the balcony in the treehouse-like hot tub with views among the treetops. 

During their stay, Cole’s family did lots of hiking, with their pedometer calculating nearly 20,000 steps each day. The scenery was awe-inspiring. “Walking on the trail you could see all the way out, with four or five mountains out in the distance and see all the way down to the valley,” said Cole as he recalled all the beauty that surrounded them.   

Food City provided a gift card for the family to stock their cabin with foods and ingredients to cook their favorite healthy meals. They also enjoyed a hearty dinner courtesy of Smith & Son Corner Kitchen.  

“My favorite moment was the ability to bond on these trails, and we created memories with all four of us together,” said his mom Tiffany. “We had an amazing time, thank you so much for this trip!”

Cole has dilated cardiomyopathy. He takes daily medications and regularly sees a cardiologist.  

Many Thanks 

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Cole without the help of Elk Springs Resort Cabin Rentals, Smith & Son Corner Kitchen, K-VA-T Food Store (Food City), and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.  

Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn about our different programs.

Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.