We got a taste of heaven this weekend, and it's only made us hungry for more. Our camping trip was a perfect combination for John and me. While I got my people fix of camping with over 30 of our friends, John got to be in his favorite place on earth, Cades Cove.
We haven't been camping since fall break in October. It was then that we camped with a huge group as well, and had a great time setting our kids free with their friends in the woods. As we all went back to our homes, we started dreaming about our next big camping trip. We landed on Cades Cove. John grew up going there as a child, and he introduced me to it when we used to walk the loop. We started taking Burl when he was a few months old then Fern when she came along-we never made it after we had Ridge. Needless to say, the trip was an immediate yes from John!
Enthusiasm usually has a way of quieting cynicism. Usually in our relationship, I'm the one who plays that role. "Let's do it! Let's go! It will work itself out-don't worry," I'll say to boost morale when all the doubts start surfacing. "IT WILL BE FUN" is sometimes what people need to hear. I see it as my personal job to get people moving in the happy direction. This trip, however, that was John. If we didn't have matches to start the fire, I'm sure John could have shot jolly missiles out of his fingertips and set the whole campground ablaze.
When the weather turned bad and everyone started complaining, John was there to pick everyone up from their self-imposed misery. He did all the things and helped in all the ways. He was ready, and that didn't stop once we were there. We opened the car doors, all the kids spilled out, and we got going on our things. Burl and Fern were off with friends, Ridge and Lark toddled around playing with sticks, rocks, dirt, and better-than-toys entertainment, John set up our tent, and I chatted with people and nested in our new spot. We were all happy.
As more families showed up, we would all run over, hug, and yell, "Isn't this amazing?" Then, we would help each other unload. It was great.
After dinner on the first night, John and I were itching to drive the 11 mile, one way loop. It's beauty is unmatched and often we found ourselves completely surrounded by nature (besides the paved road we drove on). Seeing their homes and churches always reminds me that I'm the happiest when things are slow and simple. Of course putting down the smart phone is always a good decision, but I'm looking for something more than that. I think about errands, schedules, food, chores, hobbies. What can I eliminate to make things simple for my family of six?
Unfortunately, the next day called for freezing rain and low temperatures, so everyone bailed. We left after lunch. Before we left, we had our slow morning with just one more cup of hot coffee as checked in with each other.
We also went on a hike with two other families. The hike was 5 miles out-and-back, but we cut it short and made it a 3 mile hike.
Our turn around point was the bear. We heard that there was a bear asleep in a tree, so we hoofed it until we found it. We stood amazed at this bear so snug in a tree, then we took the pulse of the group and realized that our crew did not have the longevity to do the whole hike.
We made it back to the cars for lunch right before the wheels came off of everyone. Sandwiches, chips, carrots, and cookies really turned things around.
After the hike, we returned to our campsite and everyone had left but us. We packed up our things and wished that we could stay longer. What a great time we had, and what a great time we will have again. We will definitely be returning!
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