Mountain Getaway

Last week we called off school and work and opted for family fun time in the mountains. With the Blue Ridge Parkway less than two hours from home, there are more trails, waterfalls, and views than we can ever take in. A couple of times each year we roll the dice and find a new place to explore and enjoy.

Waterfalls are always beautiful and unique. But no, you cannot swim under them. And yes, you can die if you slip. So please stay back and demonstrate an ounce of self-control, mmmkay? Kay thanks.

Winding trails with lots of flowers - and purple no less! - had this lil lady delighted. A clear sky allowed for spectacular views, and kept me on my toes to ensure I didn't lose a child on the steep slopes.

Same rock, different people, and different poses because we all wanted a turn and a view on the "blowing rock."

Sixteen years strong and I love this man more now that I did when I said "I do." I'm so thankful for the adventure and the laughter and the companionship we share.

This motley crew is what keeps me simultaneously laughing and and crying and energized and fatigued and coffee-guzzling and Jesus-dependent. They are a wild bunch with big emotions and big ideas and a big capacity for life.

Our getaway was pre-Fall color, but we enjoyed twinges of yellow every so often. During one morning hike, the magnolia trees were thick, the mountain river bubbled, and mosquitoes were no where to be seen!

Despite numerous "stay back from the water or you'll have wet feet for the rest of the hike" warnings, we inevitably had four pairs of wet and muddy sneakers. It's par for the course, I know, but it's the smell of river mud once we get back in the van that I can't handle.

Unlike most waterfall hikes, we walked two miles downhill to get to this waterfall... which meant a slow and steady two miles uphill to get back. Thankfully Jaxton walked the entire way down, and only collided with a tree once. And thankfully my husband toughed it and carried Jaxton on his back the entire way up, and only stopped for a break NEVER because he is a show-off.

Our family has an unspoken rule that if someone finds something really unique or sees a cool animal and is able to point it out, they get a dollar. This dates back to the toddler days with Grady and Micah so that they'd pay attention to plants and animals around them rather than just run and climb rocks (which only sometimes worked). 

During this particular hike, I ended up owing my kids several dollars when we got back to the van. 

Once, while Micah was around a bend and further up the trail from the rest of us, we heard him yell, "SNAKE!!" followed by rapidly approaching feet and gasps of air. Further investigation proved it was a friendly, though VERY ugly and VERY big, black snack. 

Later, while playing at the base of a waterfall, Grady Lee picked up a rock to throw and yelled out, "Crayfish! I see a crayfish!" He caught and held it, but somehow Micah was the one that ended up getting pinched. Why? Well, because he's Micah.

Not to be outdone, Jaxton discovered a big worm hiding under a rock and spent the better part of 20 minutes playing with it. I'm not sure the worm survived to go back to its home under the rock.

And finally, when the boys sat on a log to rest, one of them swore they saw a salamander and in a flash they were on their hands and knees until Grady Lee finally pulled it out of the rotting log.

Family fun time exploring outside - this is the stuff so many of our memories are made of! And I wouldn't want it any other way.