4th of July Trip

Josh took off an extra day of work and we headed to the mountains for 5 days!!! Saturday we went to an animal rehabilitation center in the area, while waiting for check in.

The kids favorite animal Smeagol.

After checking in, we ate dinner then headed to the pool & hot tub.

By evening we were all wearing sweatshirts! Enjoying the beautiful view. This was our 2nd time staying in this exact condo. It's the ONLY place we've ever stayed twice. And the owners actually live just around the corner from us.

Sunday we hiked the Boone Fork Trail, a 5 mile loop, with the most diversity I've seen on a single hike. Stopping for a snack.

I was so impressed the kids handled the trip so well.

Boulder field and mini falls on the way to the real falls.

Hebron falls in the background. Just a short detour from our trail loop. Our 2nd time here.

Addy brought her really sweet school friend Ava on the trip with us.

We had a picnic lunch after our hike. And later, dinner with a view.

The next day we hiked the Green Knob Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway. A 2.5 mile loop. Piece of cake compared to the day before. The hike started out in a wet lush forest.

Then came out upon a grassy "knob".

Then back in the forest to another grassy mountainside with a view.

A picnic lunch at the Daniel Boone Botanical Gardens.

Sunrise on our last morning. We were NOT ready to leave.

On our way to visit friends in Tennessee, we stopped at Roan Mountain State Park and hiked part of the Grassy Ridge Trail. Our 2nd time.

Failed family picture.

The only person willing to pose.

100% Jackson. His happy place.

Another few miles on the books. And they're tired.

Just 2 hours later...pool party at the Davis's house. Our friends from up north.

We stayed overnight with them and our other good friends, the Wamsley's, who drove down to visit. I raised my little ones with these 2 families. They are irreplaceable friendships to me. LOVE them all.

We followed this crew to Sliding Rock on the way home & joined them for a picnic before going our separate ways.