After leaving SW Virginia, we headed to Smoky Mountain National Park. We arrived in Tennessee mid-day, and drove straight into the park for a few hours. Every national park we visit has a very different feel. This park seemed a lot more foresty and there were a many rivers and creeks. We drove across the North Carolina border and to the top of Clingman's Dome, the tallest peak in NC at 6,643 feet. After parking, we walked up to an observation tower...that was the easiest tallest peak hike! Caleb even gave mommy a kiss before heading home.
That evening we went to dinner and discovered that Caleb loves oranges. He would not let it out of his hands. He ate lots of food on this trip, pretty much anything we ate, he tried.
Our hotel was walking distance from the park, so after dinner we walked along a trail that followed the river. Caleb had so much fun that day he did not sleep since morning, so he took an evening siesta by the river before bed.
The next afternoon we took Caleb swimming for the first time. He had a lot of fun in the pool and hanging onto daddy. It cracked him up when we went underwater and popped up fast. I think we will need to get our blow up pool ready for summertime!
Our last full day at the park we did a great hike called Cucumber Gap and Little River Trail. The hike started in an area of the park where people used to own vacation homes. In the early 1900's before Smoky Mountain Park was established, people had homes out in the country. Once the property became parkland in 1934, the homeowners lobbied to keep their homes, and they successfully did so until the 1990's. Below are the remnants of many of the now dilapidated homes.
Our little hiker started the hike with a nap. He really is comfortable laying on the padded shoulder strap, despite the way it may look!
This hike was completely in the forest and shaded the entire way. We crossed a couple of small streams, and had a friend of the forest follow us for a short while.
At the end of Cucumber Gap trail, we picked up the Little River trail for the rest of the hike.
Caleb was waving at the trees and sky, it was so cute! Daddy joined in too. Like father, like son -:).
We stopped by a stream for a lunch break and to let Caleb out for a while. He had fun crawling on the rocks, dipping his feet in the river, and playing with the plants and moss.
Future rock climber!
20 weeks pregnant and thankfully feeling great!
Ending the day with another well-deserved nap! Caleb was a super trooper and we had a fun day.
Next, we drove further into the park to a place called Cade's Cove. Cade's cove was a pioneer settlement from the 1820's, and was occupied by over 100 families. The cove displayed many aspects of pioneer living, from the grit mills, blacksmith, old fashioned kitchens, homes, and churches. This place was in the middle of nowhere, so I can't image how tough life must have been for the people living here over 150 years ago. They had each other and pooled their resources, and successfully lived in the cove for over 100 years.
Thanks for following our trip -:).
