Everyone woke up feeling pretty great. We slept till 8 and it wasn’t too cold out. We ate breakfast at the picnic table before getting ready for the day. First we went to church. The kids came in with me and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. We tried finding info online and had no luck. Apparently we showed up for the Bible study and not the service. That was after. Oops. We left and went back to the tent so Owen could put his shorts on. The we decided to drive to the park. We ate pistachios and snacks along the way as our lunch.
We tried to find a place to go horseback riding. The first turn was not what we wanted and wasted a bit of time. So we moved on. Then when we got there they didn’t have any openings until 230. We decided yes we would do that and she realized it was full so we bumped it to 330. I decided we should do the next day since I didn’t want to be constrained by the need to be back by that time. So we headed to clingmans dome. I knew it was about a 40 min drive. We drove but hole cow I was not prepared for the parking situation up there. There was absolutely no space available. Finally just before we’d have to exit two cars pulled out and we got one of the spots. It was SO tight and I barely fit but I did it. I was very nervous how we would get out between how cramped it was and all the people. So we walked a bit and took a few photos.
The kids wanted to climb these giant rocks at the beginning so I let them. Owen wanted a photo at the top. So he and Leiland went but Ellie was too scared. I waited and waited but they never went to it. I called for them a few times with no response. So I forced Ellie to go with me to find them. I don’t like that panic feeling one but. Now I’m wearing flip flops because my sneakers didn’t make it in the bag like Ellie said they did. It was really hard to climb because they have no traction. But we finally got up and I found them rather quickly. I was not happy but I climbed down and took their photos. Ellie got to be in it because I could t leave her behind. So then I helped her down and the boys posed for a couple more rock photos they wanted. Finally I pushed them to get moving on the hike. It’s only 1/2 mile climb to the lookout - how hard can it be? Now was I wrong. It kicked my butt. I was struggling to breathe so much worse than I’d expect. I know I’m out of shape but sdd to it this sinus/ bronchitis issue - not a fan. But we took breaks and pushed through. Right as we got to the base of the dome I got really nauseous and had to sit. We had Hurd thunder a couple times and dark clouds were coming in. We walked to the top and you really couldn’t see anything. What a bummer. It was still cool but not the view you expect. So we head back down and plan to look in the gift shop. On the way a woman gives us a heads up that there is a mama bear just off the trail up ahead. Shear excitement and then a letdown. We never saw it. We looked. We asked others. No one else knew where. Owen was not happy. So we got to the gift shop and look around. I realize I left my wallet in the truck. So we decided to go to the truck and get it then come back. We step outside and it’s raining pretty hard. I wrap my camera in a hoodie and we book it. We are soaked. Everyone is leaving. All done, time to go. We can’t do anything in the pouring rain. I don’t have cell signal so I can’t even see how long it will last. We waited in the truck a bit but it was no use it just kept pouring. So we drive back towards the campground.
We went into Cherokee and decided to do a movie. We got there just in time to see elemental. It was so good too and the seats reclined and had heat. We shared popcorn and lemonade. Ellie and I snuggled. I was so exhausted at this point. When we leave it’s still raining but not as bad. We decide to stop for dinner because no way we can eat in the rain. We shared a plate of carne asada and the boys loved it. After dinner we head to camp to get to sleep. Everyone’s dressed warm as it has cooled quite a bit. We all fell asleep really quick and rather early.
I’m woken at midnight because of someone who screamed really loudly. No clue why though. But I fall back to sleep.
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