Too much to see....

My Niece, Abbey, has never been out west so we showed her around San Diego, California. It gave us some time away from the desert as well.

Tour, Shopping, Eating... and more eating on the beach by the fire pit.

To much to see and not enough time!

Hiking on a Monday

"Do not go where the trail may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

 Ralph Emerson

 Last week, Beloved took off and we headed to over to our condo in Sapphire Valley, NC. 

Beloved has been going to the that area ever since he was 16. That has been 30 years now! He bought the condo when he was 19. 

 

When I was a kid we also went over to this area for Thanksgiving as well. But, we stayed in Franklin at one of the local hotels. And spent most of our time in Highlands and Cashiers. We always tried to see the Highlands Christmas Tree lighting and the city sing-along. And, for several years in a row we always came back from the area with a live Christmas Tree. 

Now, that Beloved and I are married, we try to get up to the area once a year. 

And, spend the entire time hiking and having picnics. 

This picture, shows that they thought the trail that was off in the woods was not nearly as fun as making a rock trail of their own!  (The reason why I picked the above quote to start this post off!)

This year, it rained all but one day and one of the boys had a fever and slept for several days. Then, we had visitors to show up as well. So, we were only able to get out and do our normal hiking one day!

So, I was glad that the one day we did get out I took the camera along and got some goofy pictures!

 Beloved and I came home feeling like we needed another vacation!
This one just did not bring about the relaxation that we normally have when we go to the mountains!

But, I am thankful for the one day to snap some family pictures at least.

A Bridge Trail

 

"Not all those who wonder are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkin

 

The weather has turned off lovely and we were just getting finished with a week of everyone being sick. We all needed to get out of the house a little. So, since the weather turned out nice, we took a hike across a new trail. 

 

Sunshine and Vitamin D!  

 

 

The Little Gentleman said while he was dragging his feet, 

"I can't go any farther."

Beloved replied, "There is a bench up the hill."

Ears perked  up!

The next thing we knew the boys were racing up the hill just to be the first to crash on the bench.

Amazing.

 

Hiking: Waiting on Resurrection Sunday

"Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope!" -unknown

 

 

Beloved wanted to check out a few camping areas a couple of hours from our home.

So, we took an afternoon excursion and ended up hiking a little too.

 

 

... the best seat in the house

 

 

Map skills

 

 

Collecting Pine Needles

 

She wanted to taste what all the Survival Specialist call Pine Needle Tea

(pine needles and boiling water)

 

 

 

So, we made some up at home so they could try it.

(not on an open flame or with dirty water....)

 Description: A little bit bitter but smells sappy sweet 

 

 

Well, you win some... you lose some..

 

 

Beloved told them how to find grubs if they were lost and needed food.

No, we didn't try them!

I have my limits.

 

But, we did have a snack. 

(Chocolate MMs Snack Bars)

 

Discovery: A turtle shell

 

 

 

Invention: He found fishing line and a bobber so he tried to make a fishing pole! 

 

Obviously, learning survival skills, in case you're lost in the woods is always a great little hands on unit study!

Hiking along...

 

Let the River flow. Let the River flow. Holy Spirit Come. Move in Power - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzwkGvoxDA0

 

 

This song came in my mind when I saw this river today.

                                                           I can't get it out of my head.

I am passing it along in hopes it will stick in your mind so I can get it out of mine.

 

Hiking to the waterfall.

 

 

 

Then, we had a picnic.

 

Finding out the Secrets of Hidden Falls

 

“I thought about how there are two types of secrets: the kind you want to keep in, and the kind you don't dare to let out.”  - Ally Carter 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Raven Rock Cliff Hike

"Raven Rock State Park sits along the fall zone, an area where the hard, resistant rocks of the foothills give way to the softer rocks and sediments of the coastal plain."  - Raven Rock

 

Raven Rock State Park - Raleigh, North Carolina

 

This year's birthday event for the Little Miss was to go on a hike.

 And, what a hike we did too!

 

Raven Rock State Park is absolutely stunning! The trails for hikers and horse riders are fabulously kept free of debris.  The cliff rock is stunning! It rises 150 feet into the air and stretches more than a mile along the Cape Fear River. The name of Raven Rock was named after the Ravens that formally roosted there. The park is over 4,000 acres of beauty!

 

We were pleasantly surprised by the Park's picnic pavilion when we arrived! 

They were very nicely built and it allowed us to have a wonderful little picnic.  

 

Lunch: Birthday girl's request of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

 

 

Plenty of Snacks!

 

 

Hiking down and up the trail for the first mile.

 

The Little Lass is on her second hike!

She graduated to the backpack.

 

5 Kiddos later and I can write the company and say,

"It must be extremely comfortable. They all fall asleep in it!"

 

 

A mile into the hike, we came upon the split off to go to the cliff rock.

To get to it you  have to hike down 150 steps.

The platform you see in the below picture is just the half way point!

The steps are steep.  We had already done a good many steps!

The picture below this one is Beloved on that bottom platform saying to me,

"How you doing?"  

 

 

Below the Cliff

 

 

Along  Raven Rock...  

 

Then back up those steps!!

When we reached the top, we took a snack break!

 

 

At the 1 1/2 mile mark,

we came upon a look out that is situated above Raven Rock over looking the river.

 

 

 

After 2 Miles of hiking some moderate terrain we were glad to see the trail end!