Friday, August 21, 2009

End of Summer- Family Vacation

The title of this post rings with busy-ness. I've been very negligent of my bloggy, but I promise to be back to a more faithful routine in the fall. So much has gone on this summer, my blog was low on the list!

We had a wonderful vacation this year, and I didn't even get hurt!!! LOL! The weather was heavenly... 75 degrees, and some days it was cooler than that. Chilly nights and mornings, morning fires in the fireplace, brisk mountain air...it was what a vacation was meant to be-rest and relaxation. Bro. Bryson and Mrs. Kim, along with their children, came up to the cabin on Tuesday and Thursday. We had such a great time with them! We are hoping that next year we can book our cabins the same week and have an entire week together.

Here are some photos:


Our Cabin-The Antioch



View of the Antioch from the Frog Pond


The sidewalk I stepped off of last year and tore three ligaments



Fun on the paddle boats



Kevin and I on the hiking trail to High Bethel



Jordan and Savannah stayed way ahead of us on the hike!



Beautiful grove of trees



The bottom sign reads "Bear Sanctuary"



Trying our best to make the hike up to High Bethel



These roots were our "steps" up the side of the mountain!



Our view from the trail



The small opening of trees we crawled out off!



And this is what we saw when we made it to the top!!



The Whitmans were so glad they made it to the top!! Even Shiloh made the hike!



According to this monument, the trail took over 15 years to complete.



Ethan Bryson and Jordan under Schoolhouse Falls


Lovely! But I opted out on this hike!



Evan, Ellison, Jordan, and Savannah behind the Falls

Kevin and Bro. Bryson resting before hiking back to the cabin



The "secret" entrance to the trail to Schoolhouse Falls. There were many trails and waterfalls around our cabin, but we only hiked a couple of them.



A nice fire one morning....it was about 58 degrees that morning.



Savannah walking back from the Chapel/recreation room




We were thrilled about visiting Biltmore!



Someone was nice enough to take our family picture




The outside of the grand staircase



Me and my lovey



View of the back of Biltmore



I loved how these trees and columns were entwined!



Jordy

Savannah


Daniel



Another view of the grand staircase



We drove back to the cabin on the Blue Ridge Parkway



This is why I love western North Carolina!




It was hazy at this altitude, but if you look closely you can see a small village in hallow of the mountains. (center of the picture)