Smoky Mountains Day 1: Drive, Arrive, Explore Smokemont Campground

I love travelling. I absolutely hate packing. I even have it down to a science: A master packing list that I slightly modify and print out for each camp out and designated camping bins that are mostly ready to go (except food).  But I still suffer from decision fatigue as I have to figure out outfits and how many snacks to bring. It doesn't sound hard, but somehow it is.

Anyway, once we get all loaded up and out the door, I'm always really happy to be on a trip.  We were last at the Smoky Mountains as newly-weds 18 years ago.  As we pulled into the park, we were greeted by a traffic jam caused by Elk.  Let the fun begin!

I let Simon bring his injured cicada friend with him. It kept him entertained for the first part of the drive until it tried to suck sap from Simon and he screamed and flung it. It was lost in the van luggage, but we miraculously found it as we were unpacking. It kept him entertained for much of the time at camp as he would always find new places to put it (since it couldn't fly away due to its deficient wing).

As Zac set up the tent, I took the kids to explore the creek that ran adjacent to the campground.

Of course they got in, despite the freezing water.

Then Zac took the kids out to play while I cooked supper.

We had rice with chicken and canned corn (all mixed together) for supper.

There was no privacy at all at this campground, as the sites were really close together with no foliage for seclusion. We still enjoyed sitting around the campfire in the evening.  My favorite part was that our site (#37) was very close to the restroom.

Fire Pit Progress: 3 months

Don came down for two weeks to do the rock facing of our fire pit, and it looks amazing!

He also helped fix the occasional broken fishing rod.

The kids sent him home with a precious garden tomato.

Cicada Summer

Every summer since Simon was three and first became obsessed with cicadas during a trip to Ohio, the kids have looked forward to finding cicada shells and bodies.  We've gone on several walks so far for the sole purpose of finding cicada shells.  But it's getting late enough that the kids are finding the bodies now too, and even a rare lucky find of a live cicada!

Guess what's the in the box?

Alice is a special child.

Simon was thrilled to find a dead cicada at the pool.

And later, he found a live cicada (with an injured wing) in our back yard.

Pride and Joy

Today we got to the pool and it thundered right as we were getting out of the van. Alice and Lily said they wanted to stay anyway and we were willing to wait 30 minutes to get in the pool.  Eventually, they were able to swim for a bit, but then it thundered again and everybody had to get out. Despite the stormy weather, there was a surprisingly large number of kids at the pool today (our pool is never crowded).  And here is where the proud moment happened: Alice showed leadership and initiative and organized some games for the kids to play on the pool deck to pass the time until they could all get in again. It gave me hope for her.  (It turns out the storms kept coming, so eventually we all gave up and left.).

And Simon...well...Simon gives us a lot of joy.

A Wee Little Song

The kids spontaneously sang a song today. This never happens.

Simon's 7th Birthday

We started Simon's seventh birthday with presents (even before breakfast!). The main item was a new fishing pole (surprise!). He also got some books about fishing and gardening, plus some some lures and a few other things.

For his birthday breakfast, he had cinnamon rolls, bacon, eggs, and fruit.

After breakfast, Zac showed him his cake.

Don and Cam got him a new net. He was impressed with how long the pole was!

Then I took the kids to Eno River for the day, so Simon could try out his new net and Alice could swim. Their favorite spot right now is the area right at the beginning of the Bobbit Hole trail.

Back home, we had Chinese take-out for supper, and then Simon got to eat his cake!

After supper, there was still time left for a bit of fishing...

Catch of the day

Simon still spends a good deal of his time fishing at the pond, with some impressive catches. Alice occasionally joins him, but usually doesn't last very long if she doesn't get a bite.

Sometimes they even each catch a fish at the same time!

Arts and Crafts

Alice got some craft paint for her birthday, and we finally got around the using it a couple times this week to paint some rocks and plates. The problem with this and all crafts is that it's mostly set-up and clean-up, with very little time actually devoted to the project.

Alice used the art (plus some plastic flower arrangements donated by a neighbor) to make a centerpiece for the dining room table.

Creek day!

In my attempt to break up the monotony of the week, we went to play at the creek at Umstead this afternoon. It was beautiful, as always. You can't go wrong with a creek in a woods.

Carrots and Cucumbers

The kids were really excited to cut up the cucumber we brought home from Cam's garden.

Also, Simon has started requesting his carrots uncut so that he can eat it like a beaver.