2015 southeastern us
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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2015 southeastern us
“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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2015 southeastern us
2015 southeastern us
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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2015 southeastern us
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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2015 southeastern us
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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2015 southeastern us
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.
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2015 southeastern us
We were able to leave the fly off the tent last night. What a beautiful view to wake up to. Cody was demonstrating, “the squirm is strong with him,” moments after his bright eyes opened.
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2015 southeastern us
We woke up at our dispersed campsite and headed to a rest stop on the Cherohala Skyway to cook up our breakfast of porridge with a twist. The rest stop did not have picnic tables in the shade like we hoped it would, but we managed to get eat in the shade of the clouds as they rolled in. Scott brushed his teeth on the wall overlooking the valley.
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2015 southeastern us
We hung out at the American Museum of Science and Energy today.
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