Clingmans Dome! This morning, we are off to Clingmans Dome for the third day in a row. This place is 90 minutes from our campsite! First attempt: 60 degrees and rainy; Second attempt: crazy traffic with cars parking nearly half…
2020.06.25 Clingmans Dome, Little River tubing, and Cades Cove
2020.06.24 Alum Cave Trail
We had another early departure in mind today, but 7:30 goals turned into 9:00 reality. The highlight of the day was the Alum Cave hike. Another “moderate” rated hike, but only 4.5 miles. We have driven past this trailhead several…
2020.06.23 Appalachian Trail and Charlies Bunion
At around 5:45 this morning, Stephanie rolls over and asks, “Is that your alarm?” “No, that’s a bird.” There was a very musical bird outside our tent making the same sound over and over and over again. I understand why…
2020.06.22 Visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and Setting Up Camp
We all turned in pretty early last night. The girls went swimming and showered before bed. When I got up to shower this morning, I found they had left Stephanie and I collectively one clean towel to use. I definitely…
2020.06.21 Tulsa to Nashville
We are headed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and leaving on Father’s Day. We have never done either of those before, so hey, new experiences! Fun Fact: It is “Smoky”, not “Smokey”. I misspelled it every time until…
2019.07.19 Los Alamos and Final Trip Thoughts
It’s the last day of vacation and Los Alamos, New Mexico, gives us a warm welcome. Actually, it is Miles that gives us a warm welcome. He has picked out a breakfast spot, and we meet him at the Pig…
2019.07.18 Salt Lake City to Los Alamos
This morning, KK and Scott delivered PK, Erin and Ellery at the Salt Lake City airport for their flight back to Tulsa (they booked the tickets here). We will miss these ladies on our last two days of travel! The…
2019.07.17 Touring Utah
A short drive from our hotel was the Bonneville Salt Flats. This was a must-see attraction on KK’s vacation to-do list. This place was one-of-a-kind. It was formed when ancient Lake Bonneville slowly evaporated and deposited a high concentration of…
2019.07.16 Oregon to Utah
Happy Sweet Sixteen, Marissa! Marissa had the honor of turning 16 in Oregon, and driving across multiple states on her birthday. Mallory turned 16 several years ago in Florida on a high school marching band trip, but come one, that’s…
2019.07.15 Crater Lake National Park
During last night’s dinner, KK expressed an interest in watching the sunrise at Crater Lake National Park. Twilight starts at 5:09 and sunrise at 5:41, so we left shortly after 4:00. The sunrise crew was KK, Scott, Mallory and I. …