Nantahala

We decided we needed to get away, somewhere, for spring break this year. Philip wasn't able to get a full week off which limited our options, but we found an amazing cabin in NC thanks to Kim and Philip's hard work:)  

The drive there wasn't bad until we hit the "tail of the dragon" where Parker and I both got quite motion sick. But we made it, finally, and the kids immediately wanted to get in the hot tub. 

We were there less than 3 hours when Parker jumped in the hot tub, hitting his chin on one of the steps and busting it open. We always travel with a suture kit so we were ready, but he was not having it. After 1.5 hours of Kim and I holding him down, stitches getting put in and pulled out, Philip threw in the towel (literally) and we glued it. It was traumatizing for all of us. But luckily that was the only mishap of the trip! 

The cabin was beautiful and in the most gorgeous setting. There was a fire on the deck and a fire pit by the dock.  There was a stream on the side of the house that the kids loved exploring.We went fishing and kayaking off the dock. The water was freezing so no one got in, but the kids liked going out in the canoe and Parker enjoyed "casting and reeling", not actual fishing lol. 

The weather was so nice (except the last day) so we spent most of our time outside. Even the last day when it was cold and rainy we still enjoyed just bing at the cabin and we introduced the kids to the movie E.T. Parker told us he needed an E.T with his magic finger to fix all his boo-boos. 

We visited the Nanthala Outdoor Center which was so cool. Lots to explore and see. The kids climbed in the water and we watched white water rafters come in and out. The loved throwing things in the river and watching them float down. 

We had a fire pit at the cabin and Kim got all the kids these cute "fishing rod" marshmallow roasters. 

We did "gem mining" and the kids (and adults) loved sifting through the sand and dirt to find gems and rocks to bring home. The nice man who owned it went through every gem at the end, telling us what they were and which ones were special. 

We ate lunch, in a real restaurant! , on the Nantahala and got to watch more rafters coming through. 

We pulled over at a random creek and the kids played in it for hours. 

It was a beautiful day and they had so much fun. 

Parker went exploring in the stream by our house and managed to get a bit muddy. 

We hiked up the hill from our house and merged onto a portion of the Appalachian Trail. 

We stopped at the Tapoco Lodge on the way home and had a delicious lunch. Which might not have been too wise considering it was pre- dragon tail. But it was yummy and I drove it very slow. 

We had a great trip and it was so nice to just get away and relax. Our cell service was spotty, which was also lovely, especially concerning Philips work. After being cooped up with Covid for a year, it felt so nice to be somewhat normal and do normal things.