Category: Travel

Home

Just returned from 11 action packed days in the Western NC Mountains.  While cooler, this year it was too hot for campfires and jackets.  We managed to introduce the Things to whitewater rafting (to quote: “We’re gonna diiiiiiiiiieee!”) and the Cherokee Reservation.

The Smoky Mountains never disappoint, and we even got a full rainbow, that for a brief few seconds became a full double rainbow.  All I could think about is how I wished I had some of what he had while enjoying it.

Now, it’s time shake the Mica from our shoes.  There’s lots of laundry, weeding and general catching up to do….and it’s sweltering out.

Off the Grid

We just returned from a little family time off the grid, and it was just the ticket.  We spent 4 days tent camping in Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to the one of the highest waterfalls East of the Rockies, along with a few other cool falls to boot.

If you look closely, you can see two tiny ant people at the bottom left of the falls.  We hiked to the overlook via a winding, yet scenic trail overlooking the gorges and cascades.  When we finally arrived at the overlook and the Minors saw people strolling up from the parking lot only 200 yards away..they were NOT impressed.  I guess we kinda neglected to tell them that you didn’t HAVE to hike to see the falls.  Oops.

There are suspension bridges scattered over many of the creeks in the park….loved by some more than others….I LOVE them.

Not the smoothest of terrain for hiking, but certainly spectacular.

There’s one way Thing One and Thing Two like for us to make nice after long hikes…..

The chocolate flavored graham crackers are preferred for s’mores by the Things.  Then, all is well with the world, and most is forgiven, but NOT forgotten.

Living in the Pits

It will come as a complete shock that for our Colorado getaway we rented a house built (and furnished) in the 70’s.  We just can’t leave it at home.

By far the most beloved feature of the house was the sunken living room, or conversation pit if you will.  I must admit, not only was it fab to look at, but amazingly comfortable as we all nearly slept there one night after a long day….crackling fire, comfy nest…it was all we could do to drag ourselves to bed.

I’d love to build one of these in the playroom one day…..

I also thought the Peruvian alpaca rugs on the walls really gave it that 70’s ski cabin finesse.  The geese, not so much, but I actually love the patterns.

These groovy fixtures were all over the house….

The only down side was NO DISHWASHER.  When you are in a remote locale, cooking is a necessity, so that is one update from the 70’s that would have been nice, but hey, it didn’t ruin our time in the least.

It was a bit of a drive to the slopes, but it was worth it for the quiet, peacefulness we enjoyed here.  No town lights means kick-ass stargazing… AMAZING.

Unplugged

While some may call me paranoid (I prefer practical), I didn’t mention I’d be dropping out and unplugging.  Sites like Please Rob Me make the nasty side of social media a bit more obvious, so I heed their warnings…sue me.

We had a really great week of family QT during the Minors’ spring break….we got both Things AND the Crafty Counterpart all up on skis for the first time!

I hadn’t skied in ages, so I was cautious, although you wouldn’t know it from the state of my knees.  Just as well I don’t practice any spirituality that requires kneeling….I’d be a goner in the afterlife. After day 3 of skiing, I went to kneel down to help Thing One lace an ice skate and I couldn’t do it.  I couldn’t squat, and I certainly couldn’t kneel..EMBARRASSING!  My knees had swollen and made me look like a big Kewpie doll from the waist down.

Anyway, it was all worth it.  I realized how much I missed the active lifestyle of living in the Colorado Rockies, and it was good to be back…I felt both old and young again all at once.

I’ve got some fun stuff to tell you about the trip, and this week will be our last pottery class so I’ll be updating you on that too.  Oh, and spring came while we were gone!  SO much to do!

On a random side note, we were forced to change our travel plans last minute due to an impending snow storm on both the front range and Denver, so we came down a day early to avoid missing our flight and booked in at the W Aloft by the airport.  I’d never stayed at one, but for $89, I’ll definitely be back. It was so refreshing AND affordable…again…good design doesn’t have to cost a lot, and THANK GOD someone realizes that a simple cotton duvet is all anyone ever needs.  Later polyester quilted naff-ness!  Color me impressed…it IS worth the hype.

Hope everyone had a great week and I’ll catch up with you later…