Took the family to Deep Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park last weekend for some fun...Kai is getting to the age where we can really start to do some (more) fun stuff, and he's game for about anything...
Me and Kai (he's now 4 years old)...
Marisa heading down the creek...
The tubing section is really fun. The water is cold, and it can get busy, but the scenery is really beautiful...
Fine dining at camp...
Nice sombrero...
"OK Daddy..I believe you when you say it won't bite me..but I'm still a little nervous..."
At the takeout...
Yeah, this is luxury car camping - so we are going to have to explain to Kai that on our real hikes and camping trips we eat dehydrated food and boil water from the creek.. But pizza and red wine is pretty nice camp food!
Kai's first "creek tubby". He was really enthusiastic until he felt how cold the water was.
S'mores!
Luxury camping does have its perks. Breakfast is a full on affair instead of just a pancake grande made over the JetBoil..
Took Kai on the "Dinosaur Train" out of Bryson City. He loved it...
Cool having Ben Kingsley as our train conductor...
The train takes the kids to a dinosaur theme play area with all kinds of kids activities..including dinosaur putt-putt..
Pooped out...
Burgers over the camp fire...
Kai and I watching satellites go over in the clear skies above...
More s'mores!
Went fly fishing early in the morning, but didn't hook anything despite seeing some fish...
While fishing came across what could be a bear print. Tons of bears in GSMNP - but not as many in this southeastern corner of the park...
Spooky bridge further up the trail...
Where I found the bear print. Kept expecting to run into one as I worked along the bank of the creek fishing various holes...
Kai at Indian Falls...
A great time.. Here is some GoPro footage I took of the tubing:
BeachAV8R
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#3988852 - 07/31/1403:24 PMRe: Tubing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park....
[Re: BeachAV8R]
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,870Wireman
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Great shots Chris, I really liked the waterfalls. Kai must have really enjoyed it!
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#3988915 - 07/31/1404:37 PMRe: Tubing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park....
[Re: BeachAV8R]
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,473PanzerMeyer
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PanzerMeyer
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Posts: 121,473
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Really great pics and it seems like it was a fun vacation.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#3988942 - 07/31/1405:01 PMRe: Tubing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park....
[Re: BeachAV8R]
I really envy you now Chris. For am about to become an empty Nester with my son going off to college in 20 days. Going to miss taking him on our annual father & son week vacation up along Lake Superior. Guess this year I am going it alone.
I really envy you now Chris. For am about to become an empty Nester with my son going off to college in 20 days. Going to miss taking him on our annual father & son week vacation up along Lake Superior. Guess this year I am going it alone.
Great pictures, thanks for sharing.
Couldn't you just reschedule it for when he's home?
The Jedi Master
The anteater is wearing the bagel because he's a reindeer princess. -- my 4 yr old daughter
#3989146 - 08/01/1412:51 AMRe: Tubing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park....
[Re: BeachAV8R]
great to see y'all having such a good time in that great place. Our Scout troop goes to Deep Creek every couple of years or to Big Creek for the Midnight Hole. Love the Smokies!
