3rd Annual Camping Trip

Hello there again blog world! Some of you long-time readers might remember the tradition Kyle and I have of camping in the North Carolina mountains every Fall, and today I am excited to finally share with you some photos from our 3rd Annual Camping Trip! (You can read about our first trip here and our second trip here and here). To add to the goodness, Sam and Amanda (and their Weimaraner, Sterling) joined us this time, and it was so great to get to spend time with them and catch up. This year we hiked the John Rock loop trail, which is part of Pisgah National Forest, and I'd say it was the perfect medium between the really easy trail we did on our first camping trip and the pretty difficult trail we did last year. We got to the trailhead around 11 a.m. the Saturday of Georgia's bye game (gotta plan trips in the Fall around football games), and soon after we got the dogs settled into their hiking gear (aka red handkerchiefs and gentle leaders), we were off on our 5-mile adventure.

Sam and Kyle leading the way.

Posing for a family photo at the trailhead.

The dogs couldn't get enough of the fresh mountain water.

Almost to the top!

Gorgeous fall foliage. 

We made it! From the John Rock lookout, you can see this beautiful view of Looking Glass Rock, which is the trail we did last year. Looking at it from this perspective, it's no wonder I felt like I was about to DIE last year. That thing is like a mini Half Dome. 

After a much-needed lunch break while taking in the beautiful view, we posed for some more family photos. This one is definitely going in a frame. 

We love our Weimaraner babies. 

On our way back down the trail, we discovered quite a few spots that would be perfect as campsites, and since they are in a National Park it would be FREE, so we're thinking about going that route next year. But for this camping trip, we went back to old faithful Black Forest Campground. We got two campsites right next to each other since two tents wouldn't fit on one plot, so here is what the Fenton campsite looked like on the right. Now let's play a game and see if you can spot both Weimaraners in the photo below. ;) 

While we were waiting for the chili to heat up over the fire, Amanda got the s'more party going early. Dessert before dinner--a girl after my own heart!

And while we ate yummy food, the dogs got to chill on this waterproof outdoor blanket Kyle's mom gave me for my birthday this year. It held up really well against these two crazies flipping out and playing with each other, getting leaves and dirt all over it. At the end of the night we just shook it off and it looked good as new. Not even kidding.

The next morning we tried to get up and get an early start since the guys had a lot to do to prepare for their 3rd clinical rotation (Sam and Kyle are in the same class in PT School). Surprisingly we were able to get this group photo with both dogs looking:

On the way home, we made a quick pit stop at Ceasar's Head State Park for one last look at the mountains. It was a hazy morning but still a gorgeous view all the same.

Then we were off back to the real world. Thanks for enduring through this super long post with me! Anyone else go on a really good hike lately? We are always open to new suggestions!