More NC Exploring

We spend a lot of time in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  We love riding around looking at wildlife and nature.  There is lots to explore in the park and we have been taking advantage of it almost every weekend.  A few weeks ago several friends from back home were camping in Elkmont in the park and we decided to go visit them.  On our way there we stopped and hiked to Laurel Falls.  It was really beautiful, but it was Labor Day weekend and it was super crowded.  We continue to see elk almost every week.  They are in their rut right now which means they are a little more active.  The bulls are battling for territory and cows, so its been neat to see them in action.  

 Laurel Falls

 Nomes enjoying her smoothie.

 The weekend after Labor Day my sisters along with our friends Samuel & Rachel came for a visit.  We had a blast.  Friday we explored Cataloochee Valley and the river park while Saturday we went rafting down the Nantahala River.  We also spent quite a bit of time at Clyde's restaurant.

 Beautiful sunset view from Cataloochee.

 I'm pretty sure the highlight of our weekend was the impromptu hide-and-seek game we played Saturday night.  We had a blast, and Samuel gets points fro the best hiding spot.  I'm not sure how he got in or how he got out.  So glad you guys came up for a visit.  We have the best friends anyone could ask for!

 While we had visitors our kids with were with my parents.  I found this T-Rex hat at the Dollar Tree and had to get it for my T-Rex obsessed little boy.  He literally wore it the rest of the week.