Last week was our first camping trip with 3 children. It wasn't really as challenging as you might think. We visited the Great Smoky Mountains (a 6 hour drive) and stayed at Elkmont camp ground for 2 nights. We all had a lot of fun!! A few months ago this trip may have been a lot easier, but because we have a crawler things were much more difficult. Vincent is an explorer and can't be stopped. If there is dirt/gravel he is in it. Therefore, the nice neat picnic blanket that I laid on the ground at our campsite was worthless. He was off that thing in about 2 seconds and was scooping up piles of dirt, dropping it on his head and smiling with a mouth full of gravel.
We only managed to get in one hike, but that was enough. We did a 2 mile hike to the top of Clingman's dome, which we learned is the 3rd highest point in the Eastern U.S. It felt nice and cool up there. The kids got a bit scared near the top and we couldn't coax them to the top of the tower. (And just last summer they were jumping around in a glass box on the top of the Sears Tower/Willis Tower.)
(Look closely and you can see Kyle and Vincent at the top waving!)
The highlight of the trip was playing in the frigid mountain waters of the Little River. It is ice cold, but once your legs go numb it feels great! The kids had a lot of fun splashing, rock jumping, and wading in the river. We searched for fish, water striders, and butterflies. We saw lots of interesting plants, caterpillars, and even some fluorescent orange fungi. Kyle prefers sleeping in a hotel to camping..and sometimes I do too. But I don't think that there is a better way to teach kids an appreciation for nature than being out there in it. I envision some day taking the kids backpacking, like I saw a young family doing out in Yellowstone one year. I'd love to visit all of the National Parks, but right now I'm ok with the ones within a short drive. Ironically, we haven't even been to Mammoth Cave, which is the closet park. I'd like to go there in the fall, if Kyle's cross country schedule permits.
Above: Vincent is trying to dive in.
Kyle is showing the kids where not to go!
Zach is looking cool!
Vincent is looking like Dad!
Sneaking off the blanket with a hand full of dirt!
Strapped Down!
Strapped Down AGAIN!
Playing in the tent.
Eating Oatmeal for Breakfast!
Butterflies sunning themselves on the Beach.
We saw 50 or more butterflies on the beach on the last day. I had lots of fun experimenting with my camera. On the way home Zachary picked to eat at Golden Corral (his favorite restaurant) which wasn't as bad as I remembered. Then we visited the outlet malls, which was disappointing, and finally made the trek home. Next weekend we are headed to Nashville for the Music City Triathlon, but we'll also be staying there 2 nights to do fun things with the kids. This time we'll be staying in a Hampton! :)
