Back to the Mountains

Last year, we went to the Blue Ridge Parkway for the 4th of July and found this tiny town that does an awesome fireworks show.  When we left after 2 nights the kids cried and have begged to go back all year.  And thus a new tradition was born.

This year we returned to Camp Bear Den, to the exact same cabin just across from the bathroom and the playground.  But this year we stayed 3 nights and brought the mini-fridge because I like fresh food and we can.  And after the first, super hot night, we added a fan to the cabin.  I think this is what they all glamping.  Judge not.

We arrived in the after of the 4th, unpacked, set up camp and headed to Spruce Pine for the parade, dinner and fireworks, none of which disappointed.

The cabin

Two suckers

So much candy--not a lot of people were at the parade so we got lots of candy.

Dinner

Post dinner ice cream

The best seat in town--the rail road tracks.  4th of July is just about the safest holiday ever.

The next day, we hike Crabtree Falls.  The kids picked to take the long way back so I think we ended up hiking about 5 miles of strenuous hiking and it felt so good.  Hiking gets the endorphines going in a way that regular walking or even running just cannot.  It must be the nature.  After Zora's nap, we went to the lake near our cabin and finished the night with foil dinner and s'mores.

Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (the East coast's version of the PCH)

Look closely and you can see my kid climbing across the bottom of the falls

Zora taking a break on the hike back and playing in the stream

Sometimes I feel bad for my kids that we don't do cool stuff like go to Disneyland, but then would you rather listen to other people yell at their children combined with theme songs from rides, or this all day?  The choice is obvious.

The nasty lake

Doing the dishes (the first night) was super fun.  And then she realized it was a chore and stopped.

Day 3 we hiked to a little waterfall at the campsite and spent the morning playing on the rocks there.  Eventually Zora fell in and got cold and then we started hearing thunder so decided it was time to head back.  Greg and I had already done hours of hiking in the rain and were not anxious to hike in the rain with children.  I wanted to take the long way back to the cabin but the kids had learned their lesson from the day before and I got out-voted.  After lunch we got hit by another server thunder storm, so we hunkered down in the cabin for a bit before walking down to the camp ground arcade for a bit.

Even Zora got in on the dishes action

Quick let's hike to this beautiful waterfall and have a snack

 Again, Disney?  Or this?

Zora really liked hiking--I wonder why

Henry in little Henry heaven--the playground next to the cabin.

Of course, lots of cards were played

It's not a real Baker vacation without the bikes.

Zora finally actually put her feet on the ground.

Day 4 was pack up and leave day, which is always sad.   Henry wanted to stay longer.  Camping is really his jam--running, climbing and being dirty--there's not a whole lot he gets in trouble for when we're camping.  We stopped at a mineral museum run by the National Park Serve where I bought myself a National Park Passport--here I come every National Park; and at Little Switzerland for lunch on the way home, which was a disappointment. 

Everybody except Greg slept most of the way home. 

Until next year Camp Bear Den.