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August 1, 2015–Day 26 West Liberty to Home

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July 27, 2015–Day 22 Cumberland Gap Day 1

Clean feet!  This little guy’s feet are not often clean when we are out and about camping.  I took a picture of Cody sleeping because he had his feet on his mat and his head on my pillow.  As often as I gently put him back onto his mat he put his little head right back onto my mat.  We both started the day a little exhausted. During breakfast Cody said, “Teton is probably a werewolf right now. Oww! Oww!” Teton howls when she misses us.  Thankfully Scott’s mom hangs out at our house now and then to keep Teton company.

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July 28, 2015–Day 22 Cumberland Gap Day 2

This morning we had critters all over the van.  A cicada decided our van tire was a great spot to lost his shell.  A fuzzy caterpillar decided  he liked our cooler.  Something else like our cooler in the middle of the night because I heard its little claws clatter against the metal holding the cooler.  The kids and I headed off to find water for breakfast.

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July 29, 2015–Day 23 West Liberty and Red River Gorge, KY Day 1

Scott’s alarm went off at 6am. After a breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and cereal we headed out the door at 7:45.  Not having to take down the tent and cleaning with running water took off some of our getting going time. It is only 72 degrees and foggy this early, but it is expected to be another steamy day.

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July 30, 2015–Day 24 West Liberty and Red River Gorge Day 2

“Dad, do we have to go climbing today? I want to stay home and play with Mittens all day.” Cody asked while roaming around naked because somehow I lost his clothes last night.

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July 31, 2015–Day 25 West Liberty and Red River Gorge Day 3

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July 23, 2015–Day 18 Smokys–Longest Hike EVER!

We parked at the Trillium Falls hike trailhead to try to hike Grotto Falls.  We should have kept driving further to get to Grotto Falls, but we were concerned that we weren’t going to be able to find a place to park as at 9:30 most of the parking lots were filled. We weren’t going to make the Grotto Falls recommended hike from where we parked because it would be too long of a hike for the kids, so we decided to go with the Rainbow Falls hike. That was even a stretch at 2.7 miles each way.

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July 24, 2015–Day 19 Smokys–The Last Day

After a quick breakfast of pancakes we headed back to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center that we were at last night.  This morning they had a blacksmith demonstration and a toy demonstration.

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July 25, 2015–Day 20 Ashville, NC

Our mission today: The Biltmore Estate.  After some morning snuggle and wrestling we headed out.  We were not allowed to take pictures inside the home, so we have some of the exterior.  This is a tour that would have been a disaster with the kids without the audio tour.  The Biltmore is the largest home in America with 250 rooms, 47 bathrooms, a two lane bowling alley, indoor swimming pool and 75 fireplaces. It was built between 1889 and 1895. George Vanderbilt borrowed one hundred dollars to make a ferry in New York and turned it into one hundred million dollars.

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July 26, 2015–Day 21 Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina

We started the day with a little wrestling, but then Cody worked quietly on his Legos while I cleaned up the tent.  We ate some French Toast in the sunny sixty degree weather.  It was a nice change from the super sticky heat.