Smoky Mtns '12: Abram's Falls

Also known as the day I almost died. So I had this brilliant idea that we would hike back to Abram's Falls on Thursday. It has been about 9 years since I last hiked back to the falls and Adam has only done it once, and that was 9 years ago. I couldn't remember if it was 2 up and downs or 3. Yeah, it was 3. The plan was for Adam and I to each take a backpack (thanks to Susan for letting us borrow one!), have Ben walk as much as he could and one of us carry Nick. Ben made it over one up and down and then was too tired to walk. So I took Nick and Adam carried Ben. Note: Nick weights 24lbs and Ben weights 38lbs, as confirmed at the doctor the week before. So, we still had 2/3 of the hike to finish, which included 2 more up and downs, one of which is a complete b!$@# with a steep incline and all jagged rocks. Oh, and I forgot to mention, my calf seized up on my after the first up and cramped the rest of the day. Awesome! So, after two hours, we finally made it back to the waterfall. There was only one other family back there! They left not long after we got to the falls and then we had the whole place to ourselves! Never had that happen before. So, we rested and played in the freezing cold water and tried to regain some strength for the 2.5 mile return trip. I started out with Nick and Adam had Ben again. I literally thought it was going to die on the 2nd (and most torturous mountain) climb. My hat was dripping sweat of the bill. Again, thought I was going to die. And don't forget about the cramping calf that went immobile every time I stopped moving. Alas, after 2.5 hours of torture, I emerged alive. Adam made Ben walk the last 1/4 of the hike and took Nick for me. So, really, Adam is the hero, bailing out his idiot wife who thought it would be fun to hike the boys back to see Abram's Falls. I have vowed we will not be doing this hike again for another 9-10 years, when both boys can do it themselves!

Starting out on the hike that almost did mommy in for good. 

We did see some wildlife on the hike. A deer getting a refreshing drink from the stream

A little black snake with a white ring around his neck. Hopefully nothing to worry about!

Adam carried both boys over almost all the log bridges. Notice how both boys are looking down rather than at me.

Daddy is so funny - pretending to fall. Note Ben's face.

Yup, time to see how close we could come to killing mommy. 

The view from the top of one of the ups. I think the b!%$& second mountain, but I don't remember too well as I was partially delirious. 

Nick fell asleep in the backpack as I trudged my way across the last mountain. Must be nice.

A little lizard sunning himself on the rock (in the center of the picture - he kind of hard to spot)

Time for a wardrobe change and some fun in the water

Evidence that we had the whole place to ourselves

The money shot of the falls - silky water and all!

The beginning of the dreaded hike back. Adam started off by carrying both boys, again, across the log bridge.

There were not too many pictures on the return hike because I was very focused on not dying and controlling my breathing.

There is more to come

Just a heads up, I have 12 more Smoky Mtns vacation posts coming, but it might take a few days. I have a lot of photo editing to do between stitching panoramics, maybe some hdr, and fixing pictures because someone needs to learn how to use her exposure metering better. But rest assured, there are another 400 or so more pictures to come!

Smoky Mtns '12: Cades Cove, The First Time

Thursday we drove into the park on our way to Cades Cove. It was wonderful - there was absolutely no one in the park on Thursday. We only saw a handful of cars on our way to Cades Cove and even on the loop, we only saw probably 20 other cars and everyone was very courteousness about pulling over so others could pass. The boys loved seeing the horses and wild turkeys and we even saw a little baby deer with his mommy. But no bears. 

Smoky Mtns '12: Camping

Last Wednesday we hit the open road with Dziadziu's pop-up camper in tow and headed south. Our destination: The Smoky Mountains. Adam and I had been thinking of doing a trip for our 5th anniversary, but decided to do a family vacation to the Smokies instead. And I think it was the better choice. It was our first family of four vacation. The drive down was not too eventful. We stayed at a very nice campground east of Gatlinburg. It was very quiet and family oriented and had very nice amenities. 

Our campsite

 I bought some new bulldozer trucks for the boys to play with. They were a big hit. Ben would have been happy playing in the gravel all day.

 'You make me sit in the car for 9 hours? Now you need to feed me. Now'

 'Mommy - food. Now!'

Watching a really big 5th wheel park. They were both fascinated. The wife of the guy trying to back in the 5th wheel got the privilege of being the recipient of Ben's endless questions, but she was a good sport - she said she had a 3 year old grandson and was very familiar with interrogations. 

Eating pancakes and sausage for breakfast. Nick is making that face because he wants the sausage on Ben's plate. He would steal it from Ben's plate when he wasn't looking. No lie. Nick did eat as many sausage links as Adam.

Roasting Marshmallows

Last Saturday we went over to the Crafton's (little Ben's house) for a little backyard party. After playing with the kids and having fun, Ben roasted marshmallows with our neighbor Steve. I don't believe I was dumb enough to give Nick a marshmallow this time. Oh, no, wait, someone else did because I remember getting him home and in the light and wondering how the heck he was covered in sticky dirt from the crown of his head to the nape of his neck. That kid can get dirty in the most spectacular ways.

Oh My Darling, Clementine

The boys sharing a chair and a clementine. They only ate about 5 of them in the course of a few hours...

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Monkey see, monkey do. Ben climbs, Nick climbs. 

All wet and slippery, but yet, up we go

 Made it to the summit

 Look at me, mommy!

 Now, I must go up and over (at which point I put down the camera and removed him from the climber)

Sprinkler and Pool Fun

Last week the boys spent the afternoon playing in the sprinkler and pool. It was likely the last time this summer they will get the opportunity. Nick has finally come to appreciate the sprinkler and jumping on this brother in the pool

Was It Good?

I gave Nick a yogurt to eat by himself last week. I would estimate that about 1/3 made it to his mouth.

Who's That Baby??

Here is a picture of me and of Nick, both 17 months. My favorite is how we have the EXACT same hair.