Smoky Mountains

Over Memorial Day Weekend we went camping to the Great Smoky Mountains. The last time we went there was over spring break last year. It was amid the great car debacle where we had 2 cars die in 2 weeks. Needless to say it was quite stressful, not to mention that I was just in the first weeks of my pregnancy and so was dealing with morning sickness. Not quite the relaxing spring break week we wanted, so we decided to give it another try. This episode was much better. Once we figured out how to avoid the crowds in Gatlinburg and that Nick was only good in the car for about 2 hours we were set.

The Smoky Mountains are beautiful. Everywhere you look it is green. It did rain on us every day but our tent was water tight and we had an awning over our picnic table so we managed to stay reasonably dry. Despite Tom's best efforts, our fires were quite smoky (ha, ha). Actually, I think the smoky mountain name comes from the morning mist that sometimes lasts all day around the rivers and trees. When we got home we had to unpack everything and hang it up to dry out. We hung it all up in the garage. (See the previous post.)

This is a picture of the kids using their nets in the water to catch such treasures as tadpoles, crawdads and waterskeeters.


The best part was hiking to several waterfalls. Isaac was a little trooper. He hiked most of the way to a waterfall 2.5 miles away. Tom was a trooper too as he carried Isaac in the backpack after he was too tired to hike any further. Taylor carried the empty back pack while Isaac was walking. Unfortunately he hiked far ahead of us so that when Isaac was done hiking there was no back pack to be found. Finally Taylor came to check on us to see what was taking so long. After we GENTLY pointed out that Isaac walked slower and slower the more tired he became, Taylor immediately ran back and brought back the backpack.

Isaac and Tom at a waterfall. Isaac is just about to run away, that water is COLD!


I know some of you will be suprised, but anytime we stopped to play in the water Taylor managed to fall in. He finally stood up dripping wet and exclaimed, "I keep falling in the water and my shoes are NOT waterproof." Sorry to break it to you but neither are your pants, shirt or hat. He did not get to carry the camera around the rivers.

One of the many rivers that Taylor fell into.


I think we have finally figured out how to do the smokys right. If anyone wants to come check it out, we will be glad to give you a great tour!