Category Archives: Blog

Yellow Creek Falls & Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

On the way home from Tapoco Lodge, we stopped to do a few short hikes. First up was Yellow Creek Falls Trail which is 0.6 mile out and back. Its an easy trail with a little elevation gain. The trail is rocky and stumpy. Pretty waterfall at the end and views along the creek. DefinitelyContinue reading “Yellow Creek Falls & Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest”

Historic Tapoco Lodge

We arrived at Tapoco Lodge not long after dark. It was absolutely adorable all lit up in Christmas lights next to a creek. We checked in and went to see our cabin. The cabin we rented was a larger cabin broken into three different spaces. Once we cleaned up a bit, we ate dinner atContinue reading “Historic Tapoco Lodge”

The Balds: Wayah and Siler

For my birthday, Small‘s took me on a surprise trip. We headed out of town on a Friday afternoon and started driving north. Smalls gave me a few cities to search for campsites on Hipcamp. If you have never tried Hipcamp before, I highly recommend it. It is like VRBO for camping. They offer tentContinue reading “The Balds: Wayah and Siler”

Teton2x Camp Stove

We have tried a few different options on camp stoves and the Teton2x is by far the best we have tried. It is optimum size to fit in the decked drawer system. The stove is quick and easy to set-up and breakdown. It has 2 burners and auto ignition. The heat control knobs are fullyContinue reading “Teton2x Camp Stove”

Coleman Camp Oven

I must admit, when Smalls said he ordered the camp oven, I thought it was overkill. At $50, I couldn’t argue about it. I was sold at cinnamon rolls. It never considered biscuits and pizza. The oven folds flat so it is easy to store in the Decked Drawer System. It is made of aluminumContinue reading “Coleman Camp Oven”

Blackstone 17″ Tabletop Griddle

The Blackstone Adventure Ready 17″ Tabletop Outdoor Griddle was an impulse buy but it is definitely the most used cooking item we have. We even use it at home for making fried rice–Amazing! It is a breeze to set-up and breakdown. I don’t like cleaning it up, but Smalls does not mind. Lets face it,Continue reading “Blackstone 17″ Tabletop Griddle”

North Carolina for New Year’s Eve

For New Year’s Eve, I requested to go camping on the side of a mountain so that we could watch the fireworks at midnight. Smalls as usual, was ready to meet my request and started researching more than a week ahead of time. Just when he thought he had it figured out, the weather forecastContinue reading “North Carolina for New Year’s Eve”

Christmas in the Cohutta

After all the kids went to their other parents’ houses for Christmas, Smalls and I went to the Cohutta for the day for some relaxation. It was 72 degrees and sunny–who could pass up that opportunity?! I fell in love with the Cohutta Wilderness after Smalls took me here for my first real overnight backpackingContinue reading “Christmas in the Cohutta”

Pickens Nose

This is a 1.4 mile out and back trail outside of Otto, NC. The drive there is a little tricky as it is gravel roads for 5.5 miles, mostly 1 lane. The trail is easy with lots of off shoots with great views with a big payoff at the end. I love the rhododendron tunnels.