Mountaineers

Recently the three boys and their father ventured into the Smokeys. We drove 2 hours to North Carolina. When we first arrived (where our GPS took us) we drove around until we found our first campsite. It was at the base of the mountians. We set up the tent and jumped into our cozy sleeping bags. The next morning we packed everything up and started our journey up! We ventured from 1,000 to 6,000 feet. We found a new campsite, unpacked and drove to a trail. That day we hiked 4 miles through the beautiful mountains. When we arrived at our car we jumped in and started on the long journey back to our campsite. On the way down we stopped at a waterfall for a few minutes and then continued on down. We reached our campsite and sat around the campfire while dinner(hobo dinners) cooked. We ate our delicious dinners. We sat for a while and then started dessert. It consisted of chocolate chips, banana, and marshmallows. It was a banana boat. We ate than sat for 3 hours and then hit the sack. The next day(Sunday) we got up early and packed. We hiked three miles through beautiful terrain. We returned safely to our home and 3:30. It was a very memerable and fun trip. :) Written by Ben.

Now dad's perspective. It was a blast to be hiking in the mountains with the 3 boys. They did a fantastic job and the weather was perfect. Ben left out the small detail that it was 30 something each morning and was really hard to get out of the warm bag. Difference from WI is that within an hour or so it was warm. The Sunday hike was up to a huge outcroping that looks a bit like half dome in Yosemite...though not as far up. It was a breath taking view when we busted out of the trees looking over mountains, valleys, souring hawks, and millions of trees. Many laughs were had and memories were made. We talked about hiking the Appalacian Trail together someday. We figured it'd be best in eight years when Jake graduates from college, Ben is a sophomore and Eli is graduating from high school. Only problem with the plan is that I'll be 50 something. Better keep running.