Saturday of the Mountain Trip

Saturday November 8th, 2008

I started the day dark and early; before the sun began to rise. I wanted to take a walk and hopefully capture some pics of some deer and the mountain sunrise. As I headed down the trail to the house, I rounded one of the corners in the road and there was a doe crossing the road. As soon as I snapped a picture, she jumped in the air and took off. I did get a pic but she is in motion. The sunrise was worth my early awakening and you can see by the pictures. While everyone was waking up, Parrish cooked a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, and toast. We decided to take you all to Chimney Rock park for the day. While we were getting ready, Ayden you and daddy decided to head into the woods to hike up the mountain beside the house. You weren't gone long when you came running back in the house...so excited. You and daddy had made a vine swing in one of the trees on the side of the mountain. We all came out to try it and it was sooo much fun. You kept wanted to show everyone how to do it. You were so proud. You later told me that that was one of your favorite parts of the trip. We later headed to Chimney Rock park. It was a beautiful day with temps in the high 60's and full sun. We took the elevator to the top of chimney rock so that we would be full of energy for a one hour hike to and from Hickory Nut falls (a waterfall). The view was magnificient of Lake Lure and the beautiful fall foliage from the top of Chimney Rock. I was so scared to be up that high and especially scared of you Ayden because you were so unafraid of being that high. You were bouncing all over the rocks. You, daddy, Chuck and Kylee decided to hike on up to Devil's head and look out point to get a higher view. Due to the steep staircases that led up there, the rest of us waited below. Daddy got some great shots of you and Chimney rock from up there. We all had a snack and then headed for our hike. Ayden, you were so full of energy. I told your daddy that if there is one thing about you that I learned on this trip is that you are a leader. You always want to lead the pack and very seldom are you at the end (unless you are tired...like you were on the way back down the trail). Webster defines a leader as one who guides and that was definitley your role on the way to the falls. You ran most of the trail and just about put me into heart failure. The trail followed the side of the mountain and there were extreme drop off's. Mrs. Chi came up with a great way to keep you and Carley from getting too close to the edge. Whenever someone said BEEP BEEP BEEP, that meant you were too close and needed to move closer to the mountain. It worked and you and Carley loved making the BEEP BEEP sound up the mountain. Mrs. Chi always has wonderfully creative ways to keep you guys in line and keep my stress levels down. We made it to the falls and it was so breathtaking. We took some beautiful pictures and stopped for a rest. Once everyone caught up, we headed back down the mountain. Ally Brynn, we borrowed a hiking backpack from Mr.Vernon and Mrs Leslie Smith for you to ride in. We new you would never make a hike and we would never survive carrying you. It was a godsend. Chuck and Parrish rented one on the mountain for Kylee and you two were snug as bugs. All the way back down the trail, you sang and jibber jabbered in daddy's ear. You flashed us cheesy smiles all weekend and they are so cute. You have both your right and left molars coming in on the top of your mouth and they are giving you a fit. You also had a bad cough this weekend which started clearing up Saturday but in spite of all that, you were in such good spirits. We all made it back to the cars and decided to head down to town to do a little shopping. Ayden you got a slingshot and bow and arrow and Ally Brynn you picked out a little black bear and some Caracha's. The women went to pick up steaks while the boys took the kids to the house for naps. Ayden you were too excited about your new toys and spent the afternoon shooting the bow and arrow and sling shot. I think the daddies had just as much fun as you did. Saturday was a day filled with adventure and new experiences. I loved seeing things for the first time through your eyes! I wish there were more time in the day.