This weekend, we had an awesome camping trip. I grew up going to Chimney Rock so we thought it would be fun to take the boys up there and check it out. We found a small campground in Bat Cave - Creekside Camping. The name sounded perfect and it looked quite nice with spots not too close together so we made a reservation. Looking at the map, we chose Site #44 because it looked to be off on its own (I didn't pay attention to the overall map to see that there were cabins around us but that was ok). We packed it all up Friday morning and headed out. =)
It took us about 4 hours or so to get there, pretty easy drive. The campground ended up being a little more crowded than we expected (again thanks to me not looking at the map and seeing all the different sites) but our site was perfect. We were tucked back at the end of a little drive behind some cabins - THAT made it fun for Tim to back the camper in. The boys enjoyed playing in the creek while Tim & I got the camper set up. We hung out, made dinner and had a great night's sleep by the babbling brook.
Site RV-44
RIGHT next to the creek
Out the back window where Eli & I sleep
Notice Cole's blue bandage. His arm started blistering where the molluscum treatment was done so we are keeping it covered (that's exactly what it's supposed to do, activate his body to fight it).
They loved getting to explore - this was the start of MANY!
Saturday morning, we made breakfast and then got ready to head to Chimney Rock Park. Our plan was to hike UP the mountain, take a snack break and then ride the elevator back down. The boys did AWESOME!! We had to take a few breaks but their little legs, especially Cole's little legs, did them well. They did all the steps....a LOT of steps and made it to the top. Of course, they didn't want to hang out and enjoy the views as long as we did. A few snack / rest breaks allowed us to take in some of the views. We managed to see all of the park and do all of the trails. We went to the Chimney first, knowing it would be the toughest. We saw the Devil's Head, hiked to the Outcroppings, sat in the Opera Box, hiked to Exclamation Point (2,480 feet - highest point of the park) and once back down, we went to Hickory Nut Falls. THAT was an adventure all its own.
Let's break for some pictures (I've got a lot!).
Trekking poles, they are ready to go!
He just makes me laugh. =)
Before their legs were soooo tired.....
That's where we're going boys!
In Gneiss Cave
I really understood and appreciated why the Park charges admission. There are a lot of stairs to access the top and they seem to be very safe and well maintained.
Little mid-way break
On the Chimney - but see that stair tower in the background? We went up that too!
Our mighty explorers
I love our family adventures. And I hope they will be great memories for the boys too!
Cole wanted nothing to do with this family selfie.
Absolutely amazing.
There is no way someone put that there. All natural. Wow.
Such beauty! A view of the Chimney and where we were.
Found a little overhang to take a rest. And we decided it would be our shelter if we needed it (always got to be prepared!!).
Our leaders carry on.....up and up and up.
Phew......this is a long one Mom.
Taking it all in.....Vista Rock on the Outcropping Trail
Monkey Boy
He was pretty high up there. Reminds me of me when I was little. I loved to climb my Grandma's trees but I didn't always like coming down (got a little scared - so did he!).
Time to head back
down...down...down....
At the top, after all the top stuff, we let the boys pick out stuffed animal bats from the gift store (to remember Bat Cave) and a Gatorade (for their tired legs) and then rode the elevator back down. Then we headed to the easier trail that led to Hickory Nut Falls. The waterfall was so pretty. We love waterfall hunting and the boys love playing in the water at the bottom.
A much wider easier trail to the waterfall.
Plotting their path
Shoes off...wet happy boys!
Tried to get some pictures with the waterfall in the background. Cole wasn't very happy because the rocks were slippery and his balance isn't as good (yet) as Eli's. I think he was probably also getting tired.
A little family photo (self-timer) and snack break. Got to keep these boys going!!
Waterfall, snacks, break.....the boys were ready to head back up. The trail was smooth and just crushed rocks so it was easy to navigate. Somewhere Eli & Cole found enough energy to run back and forth across the trail (not straight so they added to their mileage on the day!). The mountain "up" was to the right of us and the mountain "down" was to the left of us. Eli would run up the right bank and across the trail, then back again. Cole started doing the same thing and following him. Then all of a sudden, Cole couldn't stop himself and fell off the trail down the mountain. YES!! DOWN THE MOUNTAIN!!! He slid about 15-20' and a fallen tree helped him stop. It was insanely scary and all happened so fast. Tim threw off his pack and threw down his poles and was over the side before I even got close. There were a few other families and groups on the trail near us that saw it. It was literally so quick that some folks didn't even know was happened other than see a bunch of people jump into action. Out of nowhere, these three Hispanic guys - I have no idea if they even spoke English - jumped in to help. There is absolutely no way Tim & I could have gotten Cole back up by ourselves. One jumped down and took Cole from Tim, started climbing back up and then handed him to his buddy closer to the top, who handed him up to me. The other guy had started going down from another direction in case they couldn't go they way they had started. It was amazing. And then...once Cole was back up and they made sure he was ok, they went on their way with their families. They were our Angels that day. I was so shocked and couldn't grasp what was happening that when I finally got Cole back and knew he was ok, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The emotions were crazy. Eli was completely freaked out - he was scared for his brother. We didn't let him go near the edge so he had no idea where Cole was. He thought he was way down the mountain dead. And of course, after a few minutes of rest and calming down (for all of us), no one ran back and forth across the trail again. They didn't even have to be told. Later when Tim and I talked about it, Tim saw Cole run across and Cole apparently tried to stop himself but the momentum was too much and he just went over. Thankfully he just slid down the mountain and nothing was really in the way. Other places on the trail were really rocky and he could have gotten really hurt. Scared with just some scratches - very lucky!
Cole's battle scars from his mountain battle
After all that excitement, we decided to walk around downtown Chimney Rock and check out a few stores. We found a gem mining place and the boys loved doing that. We also found an old country store so we hung out for a few minutes and got some treats.
It would be nice to really find gold some time!
I remember the first time we tried this, they didn't like it much. But now....they love it!
I tried to teach them how to play checkers. They made up their own version instead. I think mine had too many rules!
Once we got back to camp, we took naps - much needed for the boys, Tim & I enjoyed some quiet reading time - and then explored up the creek. We went up quite a good ways and the boys loved it. I think Daddy did too! It was so fun having it right beside our campsite.
I don't remember what Cole had but his lips looks blue!
A look back - our weekend home.
After dinner, we attempted to build a fire for Smores. It ended up being more smoke than fire but the boys managed to make it work. Unfortunately we kinda smoked ourselves out and the camper smelled a bit like smoke. Oh well!
These two live for Smores on a camping trip!
Sunday morning brought time to go home.....no, not yet!! It's amazing how you be gone less than 48 hours but being in the woods and having fun adventures (and a heart stopping incident) makes it feel like much longer than that. We slowly started the morning and then, while the boys were playing the water again of course!, packed things up to head for home.
Loved this being my morning view.
Sunday morning Scrabble Jr. - it won't be long before we're playing Scrabble for real!
Water play session #47 - not really but they wanted to be in it as much as we'd let them and even though it was chilly, they wanted that last play session before putting on "go home drive" clothes.
It's all fun and games until your brother is going to splash you!
I don't think this boy can feel cold.
Camping = Happiness
Super Duper Fun Family Weekend - already looking forward to our next camping trip!!
