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!

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!