Smoky Mtns '12: Fontana Dam

Another day, another adventure or two. Saturday we started off with a drive to the south side of the park to Fontana Dam. 

Ben enjoyed looking at the dam and the spillways. I explained the whole electricity thing to him but I'm not sure he really got it. 

They have a nice visitors center, but they no longer do powerhouse tours since 9/11 and with that they have discontinued the tram down to the bottom of the dam. I remember going down on it when I was in high school. Ben was very intrigued by the display and video of the building of the dam. 

Nick was into it for about 2.5 seconds.

Ben watched the video on the building of the dam several times. And with that came twelve thousand questions about construction equipment and this and that and everything in between. 

Smoky Mtns '12: Gatlinburg and NOC

So, as if we hadn't done enough on Friday, we stopped in Gatlinburg for dinner and a little shopping after Clingman's Dome. We ate at our 'usual place', Callhoun's and then walked around a bit. 

A guy from Ripley's or one of those places, riding a big wheel bike. We saw him 'take off'by taking a running start and jumping onto the bike

There is a newer store at the end of the road in Gatlinburg, Nantahala Outfitters. It is camping/hiking/ REI type store. It was pretty awesome. They had lots of stuffed bears, which Nick loved, a rope bridge, which Ben loved, a cave play area and an indoor climbing wall. Ben almost did the climbing wall, but chickened out when the good looking sales associate left and he was stuck with one of the male sales associates. 

This was the darn cutest hat, ever!

The rope bridge. It was open to the 2nd floor below the bridge!

Smoky Mtns '12: Clingman's Dome

After Roaring Fork, we headed back to the camp ground for lunch and some rests. Well, the boys were having none of the resting part, so Adam and I decide we would go for a drive, as that was the only way they would sleep. So we piled in the car and just started driving. We headed toward Newfound Gap. It was raining at Newfound Gap, so we decided to keep on going and head for Clingman's Dome. The boys woke up just as we were getting to the parking lot at Clingman's Dome and it was sunny skies! So, even though my legs were still a mess from the hike of death the day before, up we went, to the dome. Please note, although this hike was only 0.5mi and on a paved path, it was still brutal pushing a stroller with charlie horse calves, but alas, we all made it. Although it was not raining, Ben wouldn't go anywhere without his rain coat on and his hood up. 

The Appalachia Trail at the top of the mountain. Adam has a grand dream of someday (like 10-12 years from now), taking the boys hiking on the A. Trail from Fontana to Clingman's Dome. My plan is to drop them off and pick them up and hit a few spas in between.

At the top! Unfortunately, it was hard to get the exposure correct when using the remote so the background is blown out. 

Someone wasn't happy. He just wanted to walk. He got to walk down the mountain which made him happy.

Somewhere there is a picture of Aunt Sarah at almost the exact same age, making the exact same face at the exact same spot. But she had a blankie. I made Nick keep his in the car.

A cloud coming in. It was a wall

The area has had a huge problem with bugs killing spruce and hemlocks. 

Looking toward Fontana Lake

  

Smoky Mtns '12: A Smoky Mtn Vacation Reenactment

Location: Roaring Fork, Jim Bales Homestead

The Wolny Family 2012

The Balyeat Family 1984

Smoky Mtns '12: Roaring Fork

Friday we started off the day with the Roaring Fork loop. It is very pretty with a few mountain streams and lots of old homestead and farm buildings. As we drove up the road, our first site was more wild turkeys. We stopped at most of the houses so the boys could run around. Ben loved playing in the old barns and was full of 1,001 questions regarding what lived in the barns, where were the animals now, how did they eat, etc, etc. There were butterflies all around at one of the buildings and even a little lizard sunning himself (not pictured). It was a very nice, peaceful drive with lots of pretty scenery. And because it was still quiet in the park, there were very few people on the loop with us - extra bonus!

Smoky Mtns '12: Just Hanging Out

After the hike of death, we headed back to the camp ground. It was raining and Adam and I had the energy of a True Blood vampire at noon, so we popped in the movie Up for the boys and just chilled out in the camper for the rest of the evening. It was pretty fun!