Smoky Mountian Trip 2011

Smoky Mountain Camping Trip 2011

 The drive into the mountain 

 Wonderworks Museum in Pigeon Forge TN

 The camel I rode in TN

 The one way road in the mountains

 Snake at our camp site!

 Pigeon Forge TN!

 In the mountains overlooking the town of Gaitlinburg TN

 SOOO many pretty butterflies!

 First sign we saw on our hike to the waterfall

 Views from the trail  up the mountain to the waterfall

 Finally made it!

 The view from the middle of the waterfall

 Taking a break from hiking on a rock overlooking a waterfall

 I had to stop for a picture on the way to the highest point in the mountains.

 View from Clingmans Dome.. there are 4 states visible from the top.

Clingmans Dome!  ( 6,643 feet above ground level)

 Drove most of the way to Clingmans Dome.. then hiked the steepest 1/2 mile to the very top!

 View from the hike up to Clingmans Dome

 River we swam in

 The river next to our campsite!

One of the many butterflies on our tent :)

North Manitou Island

North Manitou Island 2010

Our first trip to North Manitou & our first backpacking experience. It was a trip neither one of us will forget. It was truly a life changing experience, we learned a lot about our selves and each other. We also learned what to bring and what to pack and what not to pack.. made a lot of mistakes with  packing too heavy. We definitely learned not bringing the right equipment can be a painful choice. It was still worth the trip and we cant wait to go back next year! 

 View of the dock as we were hiking to the south end of the island

 Lake Michigan from one of our camp sites

 Hanging out on the beach :)

 Smiley face log at one of the campsites

 our 2nd campsite

 Trails to the lake 

 Andrew &  I

 Some of the hiking trails

 Our tent before the storm hit

 A model of the island at the ranger station

 Waiting for the ferry to go home :(

 South end of the island from the dock

 Lifesaving station from the dock

 North end of the island 

 Beautiful sunset, even if we did have to stay in the tent to watch it because of the massive amounts of black flies

 Stopped for a picture after the 3 mile marker 

 1st campsite... horrible black flies, but awesome views

 View of the lake from our tent

 On the ferry going to the island!

 Almost there!

Me hiking! :)

My favorite place to visit.. We will be making it an annual trip :)