Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Blue Ridge Mountains


So the big suprise vacation was westward to the Blue Ridge Mountains - a place we've longed to go in the three years we've lived here but hadn't yet made it. The drive up there was suprisingly fast and peaceful due to the new car we bought a few days ago that has a dvd player in it! We stayed in this very sweet cabin.

We quickly unpacked and then went to Tweetsie Railroad for the rest of the day. Tweetsie is a little amusement park near Boone with a coal burning train, animals and miniature rides that Keira and Bently LOVED!!











We were also able to take little mini hikes with two toddlers and they did such a great job tagging along and even hiking by themselves at times. We took Molly and she ate up all the attention and exercise! However, we did learn that she is a little nervous of heights. The Blue Ridge Mountains are gorgeous. Not comparable in anyway to the Rockies. The two ranges are so vastly different but I love them both. Once again I am in awe and overcome with amazement at the beauty of the earth.









Dakota also planned all of the meals during our vacation and two of them required that we go fishing. This was a first not only for Keira and Bently but for me as well. I definately prefer this type of fishing. There were three ponds stocked full of fish and we were able to use all of their equipment. Me and Bently caught our first fish and then Dakota caught the other two. Keira wasn't too sure if this was a good activity and made sure to keep her distance - especially from the fish that were still flopping around in the bucket. And the best part . . . 1. they "took care of" the fish so that they weren't so alive by the time we took them home. 2. Dakota knows how to make fish taste absolutely amazing!!









We also found two great swimming holes which Dakota quickly took advantage of. I love that Keira and Bently find it just as great as Dakota to throw rocks into the water. I had so much fun just sitting in the sunshine watching Dakota be an amazing father to our kids while they all enjoyed the water.




4 comments:

Annie Leavitt said...

what a lucky family. dakota does take really good care of all of you. love the swimsuits! mmm, that makes me crave a good vacation. and to see you again!

Will & Cheyenne said...

I as SO EXCITED you have a blog you feel good about! I was having serious withdrawls!!
LOVE Keira's dance moves!!
And I also love the pictures of Dakota holding Bently after the disturbing camping chair saddness. So precious!
Thanks for the update! We love you guys and hope to see you soon!

jaredelizabeth said...

Ahhhhh.....I am so jealous. Looks like the most wonderful weekend....and plus you didn't have to plan it....doesn't get better than that.

New car....sounds fun, what did you get?

Wow, Bently is so grown up! I love all the pictures and I'm so glad you have a working blog now!

nellie said...

Hi Charlotte and Dakota,
It looks like you are having a lot of fun with your family. If you ever want to vacation in So. Cal. we have room. Our children have left with empty bedrooms.
lots of love,
Aunt Nellie