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!
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| 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.
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| a small Midland Brown Snake we found on the trail to Rainbow Falls |
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| Rainbow Falls |
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| 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?
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| As we were driving we found this random castle parapet. There was another on the other side of the road. |
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| Nathan's hand here. There were a TON of butterflies here drinking the water in the sand. |
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| One of the butterflies decided Nathan's head made a good home for a little while. |
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| Emma waiting for a butterfly to land on her hand. |
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| Megan and me waiting for butterflies. |
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| Jeremy holding one of many. The butterflies and other insects just loved Jeremy. |
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| Here's a grasshopper that let Jeremy hold it for a while. |
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| Megan playing in the water. |
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| Emma's hand next to one of the dozens of millipedes we saw. |
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| Cold water! |
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| The kids did a lot of rock throwing here. |
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| Emma giving me her "best smile." |
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| Lincoln in the backpack. This kid had the best vacation because he didn't have to walk anywhere :) |
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| Emma being pretty by Indian Creek Falls. |
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| Nathan and the kids at Clingman's Dome. This is supposed to be the highest point in the park. |
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| At the overlook at Clingman's Dome |
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| Lincoln being cute. Enjoying a good thumb. |
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| Nathan was kind enough to pull over and let me take a picture of this dandy place. |
7 comments:
Fun timess! We love camping and are actually going this weekend. Although, we're just going at the John Johnson farm.
Laura, we love camping at the John Johnson Farm! Is it a ward camp out, or just the family? We need to get together. I know y'all are somewhere in the Cleveland area, but I'm not sure where. I would love to meet you and see Adams kids. They are so dang cute on your blog! I was sad to learn that I missed Adam's parents and siblings when they were here. Karen was the primary president when I was little and when she was released and moved to a different calling I cried. Love Karen, she's awesome :)
I wish I had known you were in TN! We live in Knoxville, so we're super close to the Smokies! I am glad you had such a wonderful trip!
How did you get to Rainbow falls? Everything I can find says that it is a moderate-difficult trail and I can't imagine doing that with little ones! My soon to be brother-in-law is interest in proposing there but doesnt want my sister to be hot and out of breath for the occasion. Thanks!
How did you get to Rainbow falls? Everything I can find says that it is a moderate-difficult trail and I can't imagine doing that with little ones! My soon to be brother-in-law is interest in proposing there but doesnt want my sister to be hot and out of breath for the occasion. Thanks!
How did you get to Rainbow falls? Everything I can find says that it is a moderate-difficult trail and I can't imagine doing that with little ones! My soon to be brother-in-law is interest in proposing there but doesnt want my sister to be hot and out of breath for the occasion. Thanks!
Kathrine, we did the regular hike. Our kids are pretty seasoned hikers. They are used to being told they are strong enough to keep going. The hike wasn't really too bad. I think if your sister is used to hiking or is in fairly good shape, she should be fine.
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