Adventure blog

Unfortunately this week we haven’t gotten any updates on the land. So with a shared day and a half off work we decided to de-stress from life. So we hit the Parkway for an overnight camp trip at mile marker 417 aka skinnydip falls.

Pack it up

Since it was a short overnight we didn’t need too much so only 1 backpack was needed. The night before we did prep up so hobo packs and corn on the cob. The corn was soaked overnight in the husks so we could just throw it on the fire. With the hobo packs we cut up sausage, carrots, onions, and sweet pototoes and double wrapped it in foil for the fire. We also grabbed some jiffy pop for a late night snack. Other than that on the way to camping we grabbed an 8 pack of okayish beer and then a 6 pack of craft beer, and then course my favorite fireball whiskey!

Getting there

The ride for us is a bit over an hour. Jumped on the Parkway at Balsam and headed toward Asheville. So with a new epsidoe of NPRs wait wait don’t tell, to listen to we started our journey. Pretty much every popular trail head parking lot we passed was pretty full including where we parked, looking glass rock which isn’t to far after the graveyard fields parking. It was a cool 69 degrees up there which was a nice escape for us since our a/c has been broken. But anyway we found a spot to park loaded up our stuff and the pups and headed to our spot.

Camp life

We hiked in for about 1 1/2 miles and took a right about 100-200 yards before the actual falls. Down 2 steep banks we made it to the site we wanted which all of them are first come first serve. It was an amazing site next to the water far enough away from falls so we werent bothered by all the people.

Hemingway taking a break from setting up camp to catch a drink.

This was by far my favorite camping spot, the constant sound of water was so relaxing! Also being away from all the foot traffic it felt like we were the only ones there.

View from the firepitt down to the water.

Hike on

With camp set up we leashed,up the pups and we all headed up the trail to skinny dip falls. Oh my goodness was it crowded! Lots of families and camp kids running around. Not quite the peaceful we were looking for, so we continued to hike up creek. We stopped at a little water hole and just relaxed then headed back to camp to grab a beer.

Nature’s natural cooler, a blocked off pool.

After enjoying a beer creek side we headed farther down stream. Rock hopping along the way throigg the creek. This is both our favorite way to hike. Instead of being on a trail just walking you’re focused on keeping your balance from rock to rock. It’s a hardcore work out not only for us but our dogs as well.

Selfie break by the creek

Captain loves to swim!

A tired Heminway halfway through the hike.

Me rock hopping down the creek.

Baby light my fire

The most stressful part of our trip, trying to get the fire started. With all the rain and being so close to the creek everything was prettt wet. But after an hour and a half Will did it! Thank goodness he thought to bring the machete because thats what he used to take logs and shave little bits off it to start it. So it was on to dinner time!

Best way to eat corn!

hobo pack. Even though we made 2, 1 was enough for both of us to share.

Little video of our camp life.

After dinner we celebrated with more drinks enjoyed our alone time and just being together.

Hemingway cuddles

Captain, the dirty hippie dog

our new camping tradition, jiffy pop!

Sad goodbye

The night went really well, we took a sun down hike back up to the falls and enjoyed it without the crowd. Sat by the fire until late night and headed to bed. It did get a little chilly but it wasnt terrible, I brought a coat with me,but just didnt feel like getting up to get it. When we woke,up we started to to break down camp and threw some nice cold mountain creek water on our faces to wake up and then hiked out. I loved this camp trip and was so sad to leave, but it was back to reality, Will has to work late night tonight and i’m just chilling at the house watching the new Orange Is The New Black with the pups. So until next week, Cheers!