Metcalf Bottoms to Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse to Walker Sisters' Cabin--and Back (3.4 miles)

OK, this hiking thing is becoming a habit--again! When Mary Alison was a baby and small enough to be carried on my back in a carrier, we hiked all of the time. It became somewhat impossible with Molly and Emma and then we just got so busy. But now that everyone is capable of walking on their own two feet, we've hit the trails again. Mary Alison wants us to go to LeConte again--it'll take some time for me to get in that kind of shape. Today we picnicked at Metcalf Bottoms and hiked the 0.6 mile to Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse. Molly and Emma asked, "Did they really have school here?" It really is amazing--considering that they didn't have a power strip to plug up any computers!!! When we left the schoolhouse, we headed up to the Walker Sisters' Cabin, another 1.1 miles. It was a great day, although a little hot considering it was the first day of autumn. There were still a few flowers blooming and several butterflies, but a big gust of wind blew and lots of yellow leaves showered down on the cabin and the grass. Greg says the folks who lived in this house were not related to him because he couldn't stand up on the porch because the roof was so low. We had a snack of apples, pears and carrots and some water then headed back to the trail for our 1.7 mile trek back to Metcalf Bottoms via Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse. PHOTOS

Spruce Flats Falls

When Molly and Emma woke up, Greg gave them the choice of a bike ride in the Greenbelt or a hike and picnic in the mountains. (Aren't we fortunate to have such great choices!) They chose a hike in the mountains; so we packed our cooler and picnic basket, loaded the car and drove to Tremont. My first trip to Spruce Flats Falls was when Mary Alison was a toddler and I carried her on my back in a babypack and we hiked to the falls with Mom. Mary Alison returned when she was in fifth grade when her class spent several days at Tremont in camp. Greg, Molly and Emma had never been to Spruce Flats Falls. It was a beautiful day--great weather for hiking. We had a picnic lunch at a pull-off outside of the institute at Tremont and left our car there. We hiked the mile to the falls and when we got there, there were two people leaving...we had the whole area to ourselves. We crossed the stream on the rocks and took lots of photos and headed back to our car. PHOTOS

Amanda & Derek's Wedding

Part of our long Labor Day weekend was going to Amanda & Derek's wedding at Maple Grove Inn. Since the weather was somewhat warm (hot according to Greg in a coat and tie, at least for a while) we received fans with photos of Amanda and Derek on the front and the wedding program was printed on the back. They were tied with black and silver bows. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. After the wedding we had dinner and the girls danced a little. It was getting late and Mary Alison had to get to Alison's house for a birthday sleepover. Mom & Dad were going to drop her off on their way to Townsend. It' s good to get together with family. PHOTOS

Maple Grove Inn

The Summer Birthday Party

We always celebrate the summer birthdays (Mary Alison-June, Weston-July and Brittany-August) with one big party. It seems that every year it gets later and later. This year we had pizza and opened presents at Catherine and Bennie's house. Then everyone packed up and went to the lake to Brad and Deanna's houseboat. We had a great time. The kids jumped off the dock only about 500 times and Deanna had made cookie cakes for the birthday kids. The wind was blowing so the honorees blew out pretend flames--although you can hardly tell from the photos. We loaded onto Brad's boat with the tubers and our boat with the spectators and headed for the wide open waters. The kids had a great time tubing, although Mary Alison got her teeth rattled when they jumped a huge wave and her chin hit her knees. Greg and I took a bumpy ride and were able to stay in the tube--only because we held on until our knuckles were white. Later in the evening Deanna grilled hot dogs and we had a "cozy" picnic inside the houseboat because a big storm blew in over the lake. We left in the rain, everyone was tired, but we had a great day.
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