Lover Boy's Birthday Weekend

As I mentioned in my last post, it was Lover Boy’s birthday this past weekend. Birthdays around here are a big deal and we always try to do something extra special for each one of them. This year was kind of an extra special one because this is the last twenty-something birthday Lover Boy will have. That’s right, he turned 29. Yikes! (just kidding…kind of 😉 )

Anyway, we (the kids, dogs and I 🙂 )decided to surprise him with a weekend camping get-a-way in the mountains. I found Jones Gap State Park and knew immediately this was the perfect place!

1. You had to hike in to your camp…meaning your car is far far away from you!

2. Our campsite was right on the water of the Middle Saluda River

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3. The River was a great place for fly fishing

4. There are 50 miles of hiking trails that you can venture on right from our campsite

5. They had one site left when I called for reservations!

Here are some panoramic shots from our tent (which the kids bought for Father’s Day, we have outgrown our other one and it’s not always convenient to take our pop-up camper).

Not a soul in sight! Really neat, yet kind of freaky at night! Since we were in Black Bear Country we were not able to leave any food, toiletries, diapers, etc in or around the tent at night. After we would cook our meals, we had to hike all of the food and cookware back to the car (OK, Lover Boy did. I stayed in the tent with the kids!) One of my last minute throw into the car items was this turtle that Lover Boy’s brother bought for Laughing Coyote for his 1st birthday. Let me tell you, I made sure Mr. Turtle was glowing all night long! It was perfect! I recommend everyone and anyone buy one of these before you go on a tent camping trip! A great night light! Amazing! Thanks Uncle Rob!

Our first hike we went on was to Rainbow Falls. It is a 5.3 mile, 1,000 foot incline hike. I carried Laughing Coyote in my new Boba Carrier front/back carrier (which by the way is AWESOME!! Perfect for my size and is sooo comfortable, highly recommend!) as well as held on to Harley and Bella Rose. Lover Boy had Little Finch on his back in his Kelty Carrier and Lovie, who by the way did great! She walked a ton but was carried when we were crossing big rocks or deep water. She’s such a determined teeny tiny 7 pound Miniature Daschund!

We did this whole hike top to bottom, 5.3 miles in just under 2.5 hours. We were cruising because of our fast pace setter, Harley. He was just soooo excited! We spent a good amount of time at the top chatting, snacking and taking pictures with fellow hikers. On the way down I snapped over 100 pictures.

The next day we chose to hike Jones Gap Falls Trail which was 3 miles. Here are some shots from that hike:

Lover Boy also spent a little bit of time Fly Fishing!

We had such a great time and definitely recommend going to Jones Gap State Park if ever in the area! We loved it!

Camping recipes to come tomorrow! 🙂

Love,

*Little Sparrow