The Smokies

Well, summer is barely here (the kids are still in school and maybe in a couple more weeks and it will feel like summer, but anyway. . . .) and we've already had our summer vacation.

Almost every day since November the kids have asked to go camping, and if you know Nathan, you'll guess that he probably was asking himself that very same question since November as well. So what did we do for summer vacation? CAMPING!

Jeremy blowing dandelions near Newfound Gap

Why, yes. I did get frustrated taking over an hour trying to get my pictures where I want them and then decided to just let them lay where they fall. Why do you ask?  Don't worry, more information about our awesome trip is coming. Wow. I'm so frustrated I can't make a coherent sentence. Sorry.

a small Midland Brown Snake we found on the trail to Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls

One of the salamanders. There are thousands of these around the park.

Nathan scouted out via the internet a couple different places and since I nixed going north (it was still cold here, I wasn't about to go colder and sleep outside!) he opted for The Great Smokey Mountains. And in case you're wondering that's in Tennessee and North Carolina. We camped in North Carolina and did most of our hiking in Tennessee (Though we hiked a day in NC also), so each day kind of required a bit of a drive, but it is beautiful country so that was fine with us.

Here are a few pictures from our trip. Ok, a lot of pictures from our trip. Now, I don't know the names of each hike or mountain, but if Nathan wants to, he's welcome to add it in when he sees that this post is incomplete with accurate names and such. Got that, Nathan?

As we were driving we found this random castle parapet. There was another on the other side of the road.

Nathan's hand here. There were a TON of butterflies here drinking the water in the sand.

One of the butterflies decided Nathan's head made a good home for a little while.

Emma waiting for a butterfly to land on her hand.

Megan and me waiting for butterflies.

Jeremy holding one of many. The butterflies and other insects just loved Jeremy.

Here's a grasshopper that let Jeremy hold it for a while.

Megan playing in the water.

Emma's hand next to one of the dozens of millipedes we saw.

Cold water!

The kids did a lot of rock throwing here.

Emma giving me her "best smile."

Lincoln in the backpack. This kid had the best vacation because he didn't have to walk anywhere :)

Emma being pretty by Indian Creek Falls.

Nathan and the kids at Clingman's Dome. This is supposed to be the highest point in the park.

At the overlook at Clingman's Dome

Lincoln being cute. Enjoying a good thumb.

Nathan was kind enough to pull over and let me take a picture of this dandy place.