Over Labor Day weekend, we packed up our new to us little blue trailer and headed for the mountains for some much needed time away. As I grew up my family always camped along the Blue Ridge Parkway and we decided to try it out with Amelia. Amelia was so excited that her Grandma and Grandpa were able to join us for a couple of days to help introduce her to something they love- camping!
Our little camper- 5 1/2 months old
From what I have been learning- I think we had a true "Thomas" vacation. The campgrounds on the parkway are first come first serve except for a few sites that you can reserve ahead of time. We figured it might be busy with the holiday weekend but between several campgounds we should be able to get 2 sites together. Boy were we wrong! Dan, Amelia and I arrived Saturday afternoon to find the campground we really wanted completely full so we went up the road about 20 miles to the other one. To our surprise that campground was completely full as well! Luckily there was a ranger managing that campground and she was working hard to help people find other places to camp. We got a list of other private campgrounds- all of them were completely full. So we went down off the mountain into Blowing Rock to get a hotel for the night. The plan was to come back in the morning and see if we could claim someone's camp site that was leaving. After finally finding a Holiday Inn- they were completely booked! They gave us a list of about 20 hotels in the area- we called each one and every single was was booked except "The Ridge". We high tailed it toward "The Ridge" because they would not hold a room. We flew through Chick-fil-A (it was now past dinner time) and raced up the mountain on backroads looking for "The Ridge". Somehow we made a wrong turn and ended up at a locked gate. Now the real fun began- turn the car with the trailer around on this little 2 lane mountain road- not happening. We finally took off the trailer, turned the car around, and then reattached the trailer. Back on track now but Amelia had had enough of her car seat about an hour ago! We finally arrive at "The Ridge" and we get our car and trailer stuck again in an area where we can't turn around (due to a wedding there were cars parked everywhere). Finally Dan manages to get the car and trailer backed up and into a safe parking area. We make it up to our room and begin to settle in. Then we find out the hotel does not have air conditioning- luckily it was a cool night and we opened the windows. This was my "Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" - if you remember that children's book. Everything that could go wrong- DID.
Sunday morning- a new day. We headed to the parkway and found 2 campsites (not together) but we had a place to camp. We figured everyone would be heading out on Monday (Labor Day) so we could move and get two sites together at that point. At least for now- we had a campsite! We set up camp and decided to go see Linville Falls.
That night Grandma and Grandpa arrived with their pop-up. We enjoyed sitting out by an open fire, eating smores, and playing with Amelia.
Our Campsite
The next couple of days were so relaxing- we hiked, rested, cooked over the fire, enjoyed amazing views, shared funny stories, and laughed a lot! We all agreed- this was something we would definitely be doing again!
The first morning was so cold (it was supposed to be in the upper 40's that night)- we bundled Amelia up in her warmest PJ's, a fleece sleepsack, and a hat that was too big on her (she didn't wear the hat to bed though). She started out in her pack n play bassinet but in the middle of the night I woke up cold and got up to put on a sweatshirt. Amelia was sleeping soundly but her little hands were so cold so I put her in the bed with Dan and I.
Amelia was such a great sleeper- I don't know if we just wore her out during the day or the coolness of the nights helped her sleep but she didn't have any problems!
After moving our campsite to a site close to Grandma and Grandpa- we all headed out to a nearby trail to some beautiful cascades.
Amelia was just fascinated by the sound of the water cascading over the rocks- it was hard to get her to look at the camera.
Amelia loved spending time with her Grandma and Grandpa!
Amelia even had a bath on one of the warmer afternoons. We took cold water from the pump and mixed it with hot water we heated up over a fire to create the perfect warm bath!
The following day we headed out to Grandfather Mountain. A very very winding road takes you up to over 5,000 feet to the top where there is a mile high suspension bridge.
This view from the parking lot was just spectacular!
The only picture of all 5 of us!
Of course Dan had to get some silly pictures- but looking back these always end up being my favorites :)
Trust me- Amelia is safe- I wouldn't let Dan get anywhere near the edge with her!
My Mom and I have a fun tradition when we are camping of always taking our picture in a bunch of wildflowers. We finally found some wildflowers on top of Grandfather Mountain and now Amelia joins in the tradition. :) Amelia had her first taste of ice-cream (chocolate) at that little cabin behind us in the picture- I didn't get any pictures but once she got used to the coldness- she loved it.
This is a black bear that we came across while we were hiking . . .
Just kidding! This bear is part of special exhibit on Grandfather Mountain- we also saw dear, otters, cougars, and lots of little chipmunks.
My super strong husband . . .
likes to joke around- he is so strong he really didn't even have to strain to hold up that humongous rock.
This is one amazing little camper!
