Tennessee Camping Trip - Hen Wallows

In October, we went to Tennessee. See other posts for beginning story.... One day Ian, Shelley and Gramps took off on their own for a big mountain hike that ended at the Hen Wallows Waterfall. It was a beautiful day, but hiking in the mountains was very muggy (excuses for our heavy sweat!). Shelley and Gramps getting ready to hit the trail! Ian and Shelley at the top of the mountain, standing just under the falls. Surprisingly enough, at this point there was a large view of the valley. And that also provided cell coverage. So Shelley was able to upload a photo of the falls on her Facebook account, as well as call Grammy back at camp to check on the kids.

Since the Smokey Moutains have over 2000 bears, which equals out to 2.5 bears per acre. So it was only a matter of time before we saw one... And Shelley's worst fear was to see one while on a hike. One would think after reading that a bear came into the path, but no. Just evidence of recent bear activity!

Tennessee is a vastly different culture than Missouri, including the plant life. Ian and Shelley were both amazed at seeing rhodedendum's the size of trees along every trail. One grows in our kitchen in a plant, but it only stands around two feet tall. These plants were amazing to hike through, even though it was a mountain, it had the feel and look of a rainforest. Since most of our hiking experience has been in the Rocky Mountains, this was a very nice change of pace.

How can we post about a waterfall without posting a photo of the falls? So here's the lovely Hen Wallows Waterfall.

Tennessee Camping Trip - North Carolina

In October our family traveled to the colorful state of Tennessee. We spent an evening in Nashville to visit Uncle Eric's family, then went down to Smokey Mountain National Park to hike and camp for a week. One day we drove down to the North Carolina side of the park. Here's some of our adventures in North Carolina! Meigs Falls in the tallest waterfall in the park area, at almost 200 feet tall. It was so beautiful! But the way up to view it was a doozie! It was only a .2 mile hike, but it was a solid staircase. Doesn't sound hard, but it made the walk up to Red Rocks in Colorado seem easy! Daphne stayed in the truck with Grammy, but Jude rode on Ian's shoulders to see the waterfall with us.

And Jude loved it up there! Or maybe he liked the cookies we munched on from Subway.

Here's an interesting story that happened to us while we were up there. Technically, we were in the Cherokee Indian Reservation and no longer in the National Park. At the base, where all the cars were parked, there was a truck with several hound dogs. The dogs were going crazy. We didn't think much of it when at the base. But just as we got to the top of the stairs, we heard a gun shot...very close. About a minute later we could tell something was coming toward us through the trees. Shelley has been terrified of seeing a bear when on a trail, and so her fear was becoming very real. But then we all saw the bright orange of hunter clothing. But we could also tell the hunter was dragging something! Sure enough, the hunter had just killed a bear. He brought it just past us down the stairs. So we came within two feet of a bear, but it had just been killed.

Then a few minutes later, we heard another gunshot. We waited for that hunter to come down with a bear, but he came down empty handed. He said he had been chasing the bigger of the two bears, but had missed with his shot. Well, that was my cue to head back down to the car. Bears are in the area and they are mad for getting shot at!

But our drive to N. Carolina didn't end with only seeing bears. We got to see several elk as well! (Much to Gramps pleasure). We were passing the Cherokee High school and looking at the football field, when we suddenly noticed a young elk bull standing there! So we pulled over to look at him. Then Ian was shocked to see yet another elk bull standing about five feet from our truck on the other side of the road! The two elk joined together then ran to play on the football field. It was great to see the giant animals, but also interesting to look at the signage in the Cherokee language. Here's a photo that shows off both at the same time!

After all the excitement between the bear and elk, it was time to eat. So we found a small local diner for dinner. And then it was time to drive back to Tennessee. Just after we crossed back into the National Park, in a large clearing we were blessed to see a huge bull elk!

All in all, it was a great day. The waterfall was breathtaking and well worth the drive!

Tennessee Camping Trip - Cherokee Orchard Road

In October, our family traveled to lovely state of Tennessee. We visited Uncle Eric in Nashville and then we spent a week hiking and camping in Smokey Mountain National Park. Despite the fact it rained half the week, we still enjoyed ourselves tremendously. One day we drove around the Cherokee Orchard Road. It's a one way road that loops through the mountain side. Along the road were many sites to stop and look around. One place held a mini hike down to the creek. Daphne went down with Ian, Shelley and Gramps. She loved crossing the make-shift bridge. The creeks are unlike anything back home, and everyone enjoyed playing around them!

Ian loved to rock hop down the creek, and Shelley was sure that he was going to fall in, but he never did.

What do you think of the new house we bought?

Our family wouldn't survive without technology. We thrive on it. So we'll leave the house as Park property after all. But just behind the house was this site....we all would love to have that to wake up to every morning!

The Cherokee Orchard Road was a beautiful drive, but Gramp's big truck scared us a few times. The one-way road was so tiny and the truck was so big, there was times we weren't sure the truck wouldn't make the curve!

Tennessee Camping Trip - Cades Cove

In October, our family traveled to Tennessee to both visit Uncle Eric and also to camp and hike in Smokey Mountain National Park. One day we drove around the Cade's Cove Loop. For those of you who have never been, this is by far the busiest place in the park. It's an 11 mile loop drive, chuck full of 1800's Homesteads and Churches open for exploration. But one of the real attractions of Cades Cove Loop drive is that it's one of the most common places in the Park to see bear. Our family was very excited to see the bear. But before we could drive through the park, we had to stop in the picnic area for lunch! Here's a great photo of Ian and Shelley outside one of the homesteads.

For some reason Shelley became fascinated with all the old barns. They all had unique shapes that suited their purpose. And since they were hand built long before machines were used, Shelley also loved how "un-square" some of them were. See Exhibit A.

Daphne didn't enjoy the part of riding in the car driving behind other cars. But she loved when we stopped to look at another house!

Just look how cute she is!

It took several hours to drive through the Cades Cove Loop, and we all drove home very saddened...not a single bear sighting that day!!

Tennessee Camping Trip - Bison Reserve

In October our family took a roadtrip to Tennessee for a week's vacation. We went to visit Uncle Eric and his family, as well as to camp and hike in the Smokey Mountain National Park. And since we drove there with two kids ages 1 and 2, we had to get creative with our stops. So while driving through Kentucky, we had to drive to the "Land Between the Lake" national recreation area. Inside this area, there is a 700 acre Bison Reserve! Since we weren't in South Dakota, we didn't think we would see them just anywhere along the road, so we went through the reserve. And sure enough, we came across a big herd of buffalo! Daphne kept yelling out the window, "Come here Buffalo!" Jude seemed obvilous to them...

Tennessee Camping Trip - Road Trip Down

In October our family went to Tennessee to visit Uncle Eric and his family, but also to camp and hike in Smokey Mountain National Park. But we had to drive there first! On the way down we made a few stops. One stop was to show the kids just how big the Mississippi River really is. Jude might not have realized what he was looking at, but he sure did enjoy being out of the car for a bit. Daphne and Shelley enjoying a break from the carride as well!

It was just the beginning of the vacation, so the kids were still smiling at photos!

Even though it looks like Daphne is already nervous about how many photos might be taken over the next week...

Vacations are wonderful and were long overdue to get out of the state!

Here's the kids' travel state count now:

Daphne - Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina

Jude - Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina

Tennessee Camping Trip - Road Trip Home

In October our family traveled to Tennessee for a week to visit Uncle Eric and his family, but also to camp and hike in Smokey Mountain National Park. And what's a road trip without some pictures from the road? Here's the iconic symbol our state offers when you cross the Mississippi River (nothing says welcome home like it!) And good thing both kids do great in the car...especially since it was a 14 hour drive home! Jude was looking good and happy!

Isn't Daphne cute while sleeping?

Road trips are fun while on vacation, but it sure is nice when you get home and can stretch your legs!