Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tennessee 2011 - Hikes

Monday we had a long hike to Abrams Falls. It was round trip over 5 miles, and it was quite challenging for little legs. If A7 hadn't been there I'm not sure Q5 would have made it. But with A7 there Q5 practically ran to the falls.

The walk there took us over four one-log bridges, which C6 loved walking on the one log bridges. Actually, all the girls did. Q5 was a little hesitant at first, but after the first one, no problems at all.




When we finally got there all the girls were pleased and hopped in the water. The cascade was smallish, but the pool it created was quite large.





The girls played there for some time. Q5 and A7 caught fish and put them in a bottle (they died), C6 paddled for a few minutes and walked on the rocks. A7 & L7 played in the deep water. I waded in after Q5, A7, & L7, attempting not to get too wet.















We left the girls behind after ziplining the first day and C42, A39, Ninoo, and I went to Laurel Falls. It was a hike basically up on the way in, down on the way out. All on a paved walk. A nice easy couple of miles for after an adventure.





On the way down we saw a bear. This guy was probably eating blueberries. Except for the ones I got! See how there are no blue ones left?





Toward the end of the trip we took our girls to Clingman's Dome and then to Grotto Falls. Both were straight up, then straight down.

Clingmans Dome was in a cloud when we went. And was cold. And I was the only one who had warm clothes, because I brought a fleece, a sweater, and jeans. I asked the girls if they wanted sweaters, they said no. Bad parenting moment. C6 put on a towel (and tied a hankie and her hat to her arms) and Q put on my sweater (which she later traded for my fleece).





Here is C6 straddeling the North Carolina/Tennessee line. Maybe.





And the girls at the sign. Which they knocked over.




Walking up to Grotto Falls, again, up then down, about 1.3 miles each way. We rested a lot.



At the falls you can walk behind the water to the otherside. Q5 walked to JUST behind the waterfall -- peed -- and walked back. None of us knew what she'd done until she confessed later.



Of course, we paddled and threw rocks at the top before walking down.








That's all for tonight.

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