Summer Adventure 2015

In August we embarked on our annual summer adventure, this year to the Blowing Rock area in North Carolina.

We rented the cutest little cabin, which had this cool twirly staircase up to the loft where the kids slept.  This led to twice daily throwing of the clothes/jammies from the loft down to the lower level. I have some funny pictures of this exercise, but at least one participant was always naked, so not so appropriate for the internet.

First we checked out Blowing Rock.

Taking a rest on THE Blowing Rock.

Then we went to the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park, where they still operate this vintage coal-fired train (Which we rode on, of course. Twice.)

We rode some fun rides.

MANY fun rides.

We fed some baby goats.

And some big goats too. And also llamas and other miscellaneous creatures.

This race car ride was hands down Mason's favorite. We rode it roughly 87 times. Here he is checking to make sure Avery and I are not catching up. (It's hard to win the cup with no spotter, after all.)

Next up, we went caving. Here we are all geared up and ready to explore.

This brave girl was not afraid to get herself into some tight spots.

We all made it out! A little wet and muddy, but we survived!

The next part of our adventure was whitewater rafting. The kids wanted to know why we couldn't raft over that waterfall.

Intrepid paddlers.

Avery took the bait when our guide asked if anyone wanted to stop to go swimming.  That water was COLD!

"Mom, they need me. I don't think they can get the raft on the trailer without my help."

We stopped to do a little mining for gems.

Then we got to learn about all the different kinds of rocks and minerals we found.

Good thing Mommy brought the raincoats!

A little rain did not deter us from our waterfall hike.