Fun at the Zoo

It was a good thing that we waited to go to the zoo on Tuesday. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day!

For the day out to the zoo, Mark and Kris made everyone a green embroidered t-shrit. It was really nice because it was much easier trying to locate anyone in the bunch.  

Our family has been to this zoo before but it has been about six years and when Eric and I came we just had Thomas and part of the zoo was shut down because there was a hurricane like wind that had blown through the city. 

So this time around we were able to see all the zoo and all the different exhibits. A lot of the animals were out and about so all the kids and adults enjoyed seeing them. Eric and I decided to take Livvy around in the hiking carrier. I worked out really well and received many compliments about it as we walked around. 

For lunch the zoo allows you to bring in your own food so we had packed in our picnic lunch. After seeing I would say about half of the zoo we found a nice little spot so have our lunch. Jason's family had gotten to the meeting spot first sand was able to secure all the tables for everyone. 

After lunch we had energy to make it through the rest of the zoo. Toward the end of the zoo there was a chance that you could touch some snakes. Thomas was pretty interested in the opportunity and some how they got Gramma touch it! 

After seeing all the exhibits we headed to the gift shop where everyone was able to pick out a little something. We were also able to a picture of everyone in their green shirts. After getting packed up we were headed up to Michigan for the rest of our trip.

Family fun in Cincy

In the second week of July Eric had a week off. We had a niece getting baptized so everyone on Eric side of the family was able to get together for a few days. 

Our frist stop was in Cincinnati. Since the boys were in Michigan with my parents, they rode down with Eric parents and we were all able to meet in Cincinnati for a nice little get away. Papa Mark likes to collect bottle caps, Sup was very quick to join in on the fun. Soon Papa had a couple little helpers as Jared was helping as well. 

Ryan and his family actually met us at our house and drove up with us to Cincy after church. The rest of the family we met up with on Sunday. It was so nice to meet everyone and excited to meet both Olivia (who was almost 6 mths at the time) and Karl (who was just 7 mths at the time).  

The original plan was to go to the zoo on Monday. But because of the weather we ended up changing our plans and going to Jungle Jim's on Monday. 

I think most of us had been there and it seems to be a fun stop for many in our family. Jungle Jim's is a huge international/speciality grocery store. It pretty much has anything your looking for. We decided it would be fun to have each family cook a few items with ingredients we picked up from the store. 

You could really spend hours in this place, or at least me because for me it is fun to look at all the different items. I also have to make sure that I have a budget or else there is issues with over-spending. 

All the kids enjoyed the little car carts and the little boys enjoyed the candy guns that they found in the candy sections. Amazingly with all the kids we had on one was misplaced and seemed to enjoy the experience as well. 

There are always some fun things that I find while I am there. They do have a kitchen gadget section that is fun to look at. So I didn't get them but I thought these muffin containers were pretty cute :)

Getting wet

After stopping by the visitors center we stopped along a nice little picnic stop where we could have a little fun in the water before heading home. 

 Near the Elkmont campground is a pretty popular spot to play in the river. While we were there is was not too crowded but there were a few people that were enjoying the sunshine and cool water. 

 Olivia really seems to enjoy the water. Both of the boys would be crying at this point when they were this age, but this sweet girl loved having her feet dipped. 

 She was pretty happy to splash around a little bit. After a few minutes the water was getting pretty cold so she didn't stay in too long.

 We had forgotten to take her towel with us so Daddy went back to the truck to get it, we stayed and enjoyed the water. 

It was such a nice day and we were in no such to head home so we took our time at the river. We let Olivia decide when she done. After about 20 minutes she had her fill of the water and was ready to get out and dry off. 

We had such a good time camping and hiking over the 4th of July in the smokies, but it was time to head home. So after Livvy was changed and fed we were headed home. 

A restful morning

After a long day of hiking all three of us had a pretty good nights rest. For being in a tent and having Livvy on an air mattress Eric and I were grateful for a good night rest. 

When the sun came up we all were awake and decided to get up and get things ready for breakfast and start packing up camp. Even though it was a bit cooler in the morning Livvy seemed to enjoy the fresh morning air. She was happy to play in her chair while Eric and I things together. 

For breakfast I was going to attempt pancakes and bacon. I have never really cooked over an open fire with my cast iron skillet, so I was hoping it would work out. We had gotten one of the little plastic jugs that you just needed to add water and the microwave bacon that didn't need refrigeration. 

After getting the coals to the right temp, I started with the pancakes. I was pleasantly surprised with my cooking skills. I consider myself a pretty good cook but you never know really what temp the fire is, and adjusting can be more challenging ;) Obviously we didn't have a microwave but I just put bacon on the skillet and worked great of giving us nice crisp bacon.   

After eating our nice warm breakfast we cleaned up and started to pack things up. I will admit we were both pretty stiff from the hike so this took a little bit longer because we couldn't move as fast and all kinds of muscles hurt. After everything was all packed up we were off. We wanted to drive a little bit in the park and find a place where Livvy could dip her feet in the water.

When we came down in May we didn't have an opportunity to get our picture with the national park sign. Even though the boys were not with us this time around we wanted to get a quick picture. There was actually a line, so after a few minutes of waiting we had our turn :) 

Hiking back to camp

After a nice break we headed down the rocky path talking and thinking about how we wanted to head back. We really only had two options. One was to go back down the AT to the Low Gap trail or we could tack on a few extra miles and head down AT the other way and loop up on the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail. 

If we decided to take the later it would be about a 16 mile hike vs a 12 mile hike. Thinking it was going to be mostly a downhill hike we thought, Hey what is an extra 4 miles… Looking back we both feel accomplished that we were able to do a tough 16 mile hike but also admit it was not one of our brightest ideas. 

Four miles in the smokies, even being downhill and even most of the way was not a piece of cake. The AT on this side of Mt. Cammerer was really rough and rocky so our pace was slower then what we would have preferred. We had to watch our steps very carefully so we didn't fall. It was nice it hit these parts as a break. 

When we hit the Lower Mt. Cammerer tail, we still have 7.4 miles to get back to the campground. Even though we had a good start we didn't plan going down the AT at the slower pace. We had plenty of food and water still but it was important to get back before dark. So we made goals and thankfully this trail was a much easier hike. 

The other problem we came across was we stopped at the AT and Lower Mt. Cammerer trail to rest and for me to feed Livvy. After not seeing anyone after leaving the top we thought it would fine feeding her. But just as I was a pair of young men who were hiking the AT in its entirety came up and stopped for a rest and then a young couple who came from Cosby campground decided it was time to stop and rest too…. So we had to wait for them to move on before I could feed Livvy. So it added more resting time then we intended. 

We did end up making good time on Lower Mt. Cammerer and got back a little bit before dark. I will say the last two miles we were pretty beat. And probably our feet and shoulders felt it the most when we got back. We were both happy to see our tent and our chairs. Thankfully we decided just do to some dehydrated meals so all we had to do for dinner is boil some water and add it to the food and let it rehydrate, then eat it. After 16 miles of hiking in one day it tasted great to have something warm and filling!

Livvy did pretty good as well until about the last mile and she had had enough of the carrier. All in all thats pretty good. Eric ended up going on ahead a little faster to drop off the carrier at camp and came back and met me to walk back to camp with me. Livvy had the chance to dip her feet in the water which she enjoyed. After dinner we didn't stay up too long and were off to bed after a long day of hiking!

The view from the top

After six uphill miles we were at the top of Mt. Cammerer! With the first two miles were not sure if we could make it to the top so we were both excited to see the top!

The view was absolutely amazing! With the clear and sunny day we could see for miles. At the top was a fire tower lookout that was restored. It wrapped all around so you had a 360 degree view.    

Here was the view from the other side of the tower. Eric and I were both so happy that we were able to make this hike up because it was well worth view. 

Since we had planned to spend 45 mins to an hour up at the top we got Livvy out of her carrier to stretch her legs and feed her lunch as well. 

This is a good view of the tower. After we looked around for a bit Eric and I got our lunch out and sat on the rocks and enjoyed our lunch with the amazing view around us. 

After getting everyone fed it was time to wrap it up and head back to camp. We were looking forward to more of the downhill experience, but we both had to admit it was worth the hike up! :)

Hiking to Mt. Cammerer

With the boys not being with us on this trip Eric and I decided we could try to tackle some more difficult hiking paths. As Eric did some research we decided that we would hike to Mt. Cammerer. We had heard the views were worth the hike! So we made that our goal for the trip. 

Saturday morning we were up bright and early to get a good start on the hike. We were up just as the sun was starting to rise. Livvy being an early riser was up and ready to go too! 

We did breakfast simple with just oj and granola bars. After Livvy was fed and Eric and I made sure our gear and food was set we were off to see the top of the mountain, which was about 2700 ft in elevation. 

With this hike there were different paths you traveled on, and about 6 miles to the top of Mt. Cammerer. Looking at the maps if we could make it the 2.5 miles to the Appalachian trail(AT) on Low Gap we knew we would be able to make it to the top.  

We were going uphill most of the way but the Low Gap was the steepest part. After starting it didn't take us long to feel it. But we were pretty happy to see this sign! There was some shade and we both were excited to actually hike some of the AT. 

After taking a little breather and I fed Livvy and Eric and I were able to eat a snack to give us some more energy to make it to the top. So far Livvy was enjoying her ride on Daddy's back ;)

After our break it was back to hiking up on the AT. This trail is pretty well traveled and rather well known. Only part of it goes through the smokies, but there are many that aspire to hike its entire length, which is from Georgia to Maine. So along the way we were able to spot its signs, letting you know you were on the AT. The above is its symbol.  

As we were getting higher the views became pretty amazing! As there were breaks in the trees this is what we were able to see. It was such a great day weather wise with sunny skies, and no clouds. Being high in the mountains the temp was great for hiking!

After some rocky parts of the AT, we were only 0.6 miles to the top of the mountain. This part of the trail started out okay but toward the top it was pretty much all rocks. Our plan was to make it to the top and eat our lunch looking out over the top of the mountain :)

Relaxing in the smokies

After we got unpacked and our camp all set up it was time to get out and see the campground a little. 

Because we didn't want to attract any bears we made sure we packed all our foodstuffs back in the truck after taking inventory that we had all the things that we needed. Miss Livvy was happy to get out of the truck. We noticed that she was starting to cut her first tooth. And a few days later she had her first bottom tooth! Thankfully while we were camping it didn't seem to bother her too much :)

Since we were in the truck for so long driving it was nice to get out and walk a little. We had planned a hike for Saturday so we didn't want to take too long of a walk. Because it was Forth of July weekend the place was pretty packed. But it is a tent only campground so it was nice and entertaining as we walked around seeing how some were diligently trying to figure out how to pitch their tents.  

After exploring a little bit we headed back to start dinner. While Eric was getting the fire ready so we could make our dinner, I was able to get Livvy her dinner.By this time she was really enjoying her cereal, fruits, and veggies.

There is always something very relaxing sitting around the fire in the outdoors. So while we were waiting for a nice bed of hot coals to make our dinner, we relaxed by the fire. I thing Olivia like watching the flames too.  

For dinner we went pretty simple with the traditional pizza pie sandwiches in the buddy burners (or as I called them growing up hobo pie makers) and hot chocolate. 

Back to the Smokies

With the fourth of July on a Friday this year Eric had a 3 day weekend. We thought why stay around here? So we decided to pack up and go back to the Smokies. 

Since the boys were spending few weeks up with my parents in Michigan, we just had to pack up Livvy ;) This time around we were able to get a campsite right in national park, but with Livvy being a little older and it being July we thought camping would be a fun adventure. 

We were able to have a pretty good start and we had most things all packed when Eric got home from work. After having an omelet breakfast we were on our way. It was amazing how fast we were with just one child! 

After a few stops in Tennessee, we arrived with plenty of time to set up camp and get everything all set.  We chose to camp in Cosby because you didn't have to go into or around Gatlinburg so we didn't really  have any traffic! 

While we were getting everything all set Livvy had the chance to stretch her legs and explore the tent a little bit. Our campsite was really nice and actually in a nice location. It was right across from the bathrooms,trash, and wash station. 

In the park all the sites are rustic so there was no electricity, but all the bathrooms had running water which was nice. With the campgrounds in the park you have to be very careful of attracting bears. So we made sure all food was safely locked up! All in all we were happy with our camp and excited to spend time in the great outdoors :)