Last week we had some of the most. beautiful weather we've had all year. It was getting up to the high 70's/low 80's with mild evenings and cloudless skies. Gorgeous. Sara and her family were going up to a cabin in the mountains near Asheville for her birthday, so we thought it was a perfect time for a mini vacation. The leaves are all changing into bright reds, oranges and yellows. So we decided to packed up the car & the kids and drive North.
However, on Friday we had a huge drop in temp. and it managed to rain on and off all day. For the weekend the weather barely got up to the 50's and got down to the low 20's at night. Fortunately we had checked the weather before leaving so we were able to bring enough to insure we wouldn't freeze completely but I was getting a little worried about the whole trip.
On Friday evening we got to Pisgah Campground, checked out Sara & Aaron's cabin, set up camp, had some hastily made camp stew & 'smores and got everyone into bed. We had the kids dressed in

double pajamas and kept their hats on their heads so that they would stay warm. After they fell asleep we overlapped their sleeping bags to help out a little too.

Regardless, the next morning was absolutely freezing. We dressed them as quick as we could and after breakfast we drove down to the Asheville Children's museum with Sara and the gang where we spent the morning. During the afternoon we joined Aaron and Preston fishing by a nearby stream. That evening Rob and Aaron went out to do some real fishing while I set up the fire for dinner. I have to say, I made a mighty fine, blazin', one-match fire. Hey...I was a Brownie. (okay...it took about 5 matches but only because the wind kept blowing them out before I got to the fire.)
After dinner and 'smores again we got the kiddies down and hung out around the fire until it just got too cold...despite the roaring fire.

The next morning we had a better plan. After the kids woke up, I kept them in their sleeping bags until Rob got the car going, the fire started, the hot cocoa ready and then one-by-one we loaded the kids into the car, dressed them and then brought them out all toasty and ready for the day. That morning was so cold that when Robert poured water from the pitcher, ice actually formed around the edge. It was crazy. We broke camp and visited with the Weltzes until noon.
At the point we decided to drive the scenic route home. The clouds had finally cleared and although it was still chilly, it had warmed up to the mid-fifties. We stopped at a couple of waterfalls we found along the way. One was called Moore Cove Falls and it took about a mile hike (round-trip) to get to it. It was just he perfect length for the kids. The Falls are probably pretty spectacular in the spring but during our visit there was only a light shower-like drop of water which made it fun to fun under and behind. After we played for a while and had lunch there, we hiked back down and resumed our trip home. It was really a spectacular drive. Amazingly enough, the kids are already planning their next camping trip. Now that we broke them into some extreme camping, Spring time should be a breeze.