Asheville NC

Yesterday was a travel day- it took a little more than 6 hours to get from Smith Mountain Lake, VA to Campfire Lodgings in Asheville, NC. Once we arrived, Bryan and Aaron set up camp and Braden and I went in search of the stocked fishing pond. Around 7:30, we needed a few supplies and we were ready to eat so we decided to head into town. Experienced our first Steak and Shake dining experience...once back at camp, we took hot showers and watched cable tv ( yes, they have 70 channels!!!!) It's the little things :-) Here are some pictures from yesterday's adventure...



Bodie fell asleep in this position...True downward dog!


Our view coming into North Carolina


We're here!


Setting up our site, D11.


At the pond


Braden made his own fishing contraption - a homemade bobber - and we caught fish!



Victory!






Handsome Aaron at Steak and Shake!


The view's are spectacular!


Aaron making a rare appearance at the fishing hole


It's a sorry little hole, but Braden can catch a fish in any water


Good times :)


Amy is a REBEL!


Pisgah National Forest





What else would we be doing near the water?


Braden working on his Fly technique


The great crossing!


It's like 50 degrees in there!






SLIDE ROCK in Pisgah National Forest


After the Slide


Fathers Day on the Road!


Funny sign at the Chocolate Fetish


Blue Mountain Pizza.... so.... full

Stopped to talk to a Veteran downtown.  Mr. Earl, but they call him Happy.   Everyone in town seems to know him and he was fun to chat with for a while.   After three tours in Nam and living through Katrina, he returned home "to the most beautiful place on earth".

We had a great time in Asheville, NC and would definitely return.  The landscape is stunning, the rivers are fresh and clean and the people are really nice.

On The Road Again...

Cruising Down I-81

Smith Mountain Lake, VA

   

SML is wonderful for our first trip! We started the day with a hike through the woods of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Well, actually Bryan and Braden got up super early and went fishing down on the lake.  Aaron and I slept in :-). We were able to put our Virginia state label on the map after our first night here.

     After our hike, Bryan worked for a while and we cooled off in the AC... We're still getting used to the "great outdoors" so we needed a break from sweating and nature!

      Later in the morning, we headed for the beach - this park has a great beach area, water slide and snack area ( which had Moose Tracks ice cream, so Braden was thrilled!!!).  The boys loved the water slide.

     After lunch, we had our first thunderstorm . Lessons learned - 1) Pick your campsite carefully & beware dead trees 2) When surrounded by large trees in a storm, it's probably best to move to a clear area to wait it out... Luckily, there wasn't any damage...we must have an angel watching over us.

We also started a book that we'll try to read together everyday - We chose "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" for our first read aloud.  

We cooked dinner on the new grill and then there was more fishing and walking and enjoying the great outdoors.  Tomorrow we leave for Ashville, NC, but we would love to come back here again soon! 

Braden was able to do the honors with Aaron supervising

Virginia added to our map

Surveying the storm damage ( notice the way that limb impaled the ground- YIKES!)

Putting the boys to work

Dinner! Yes, we grilled chicken patties for Aaron!

LOVE our Nuwave convection oven- So thankful to the Watson Family for the tip!

Investigating the cicada.

 The boys can't believe how clean and clear the water is at SML!  We spent a few hours at the beach at the State Park today.  It was a great time for the whole family.

 Aaron is tearing up the trails on his ACT Custom BMX Bike.

 Braden on his way to the lake to do some fishing.

 Fly fishing is new for the Thomas Boys.  We're catching on fast.

First Fish on Fly!

Big Bass at SML.  How is this one Grandaddy?!?!?

Where are we going next??   I want to drive.  

Departure Day June 12, 2013

Here we go! First stop- Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Wow, that's long.  

Are we really getting ready to drive over the Bay Bridge?

The "Toad"

Bryan worked very hard this week getting the Jeep hooked up to the RV... He and Aaron took it for a test drive this morning around the neighborhood - Great news!  It stayed attached!!!!!!!!

June 8, 2013 On Your Mark, Get Ready, Get Set....

Our first trip itinerary...

Built in library :-) with inspirational quotes thrown in for dramatic effect!

The boys bunks are ready... Bodie already wrinkled the bottom bunk.

Bodie is ready to roll!