Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

We chose to take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Nantahala Gorge Excursion to catch the leaves changing. The trip is 4.5 hours round trip starting from the Bryson City Depot and travels 44 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center with a layover and then back. With the kids’ schedules, we went early October because they had a 3 day weekend. I wish we would have waited another 2-3 weeks. The leaves were starting to turn but not as vibrant as I would have hoped.

On Sunday morning, we hopped in the car and headed up to Bryson City. Bryson City is a quaint little town with lots of shops and restaurants. It was decorated so cute for fall. We had lunch at Pasqualino’s Restaurant. The atmosphere was great with a local artist singing. This would be a great date night spot. From here, we headed over to the Bryson City Depot so we could walk around the model train museum. I have taken Mediums on the Polar Express ride here when he was younger. The model train museum is amazing and my late grandfather would have loved it. It is quite nostalgic for me to go here reminiscing on watching my grandfather proudly display his trains for the family.

The ride was great! Due to COVID, we wore masks and all the trains were open air rides. The views were great along the Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers. I added a box lunch for everyone as part of the package. There was misting rain off and on creating some dreamy fog. While the weather and timing were not ideal, we had a great time.

The stop at the NOC was well timed and gave us a chance to move around. We have been here several times so we didn’t go in any of the shops. The sun was attempting to peak through the clouds on the way back.

Afterward, we headed toward Dillsboro, NC where we had a hotel reservation. Assuming we could get some dinner in Dillsboro, we didn’t stop along the way. Much to our surprise, everything closed by 8. We ended up driving to Sylva and stopping at the Lazy Hiker. We were able to order a pizza for the kids just before the kitchen closed. Keep this in mind! Even the Huddle House closed at 8pm there. The food was good and we were essentially the only people there. The kids loved it because there was a playful dog and the atmosphere was fun.

Car Camping with kids at Cloudland Canyon State Park

Once our kids all met, we decided to give it a try on a short camping trip with everyone at Cloudland Canyon State Park. We took the kids during their winter break in February. It was a bit cold. Talls got long underwear for all the kids and we made sure to layer. Smalls and Talls stayed in hammocks at one campsite. Mediums, Snack Pack, and I stayed in a tent at another campsite along with our dog, Oldilocks. This was an experiment to try and combine Smalls’ backpacking preference with my car camping experience. My van was packed just with my stuff. Smalls came in with 2 backpacks and I had multiple boxes we rolled in on a small hand truck. It was interesting!

We drove up the first day and scouted out our campsites. The next day we had tickets to go to Lula Lake Land Trust. We did not get there as early as we should have, plus we had all 3 kids. The youngest kid was 3 years old and not accustomed to long hikes, so were were not able to do as much as we would have liked. We took the Middle Trail to North Creek Trail and then did the short Lula Falls Trail. It really was beautiful! I fell in love with Lula Lake at this point. There were icicles on the rock faces. The waterfall was booming. We were booking it on the gravel road trying to get back by 5pm closing. At this point, I was carrying Snack Pack. Fortunately, one of the employees came by on an ATV and offered us a ride. We gladly took it.

The last full day there, we took on the stairs at Cloudland Canyon to see both Cherokee and Hemlock Falls. Snack Pack finished all the stairs without being carried. She might have been bribed with a Barbie doll. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out at camp. Smalls set up hammocks for each kid. Mediums took a nap in the hammock for the first time and he has only wanted a hammock ever since. It was a great trip!

Smittybilt Overland Gen 2 XL Rooftop Tent

After getting the truck, the next step was the rack and rooftop tent. After a lot of research, we chose the Smittybilt Overland GEN2 XL Tent and annex. We felt that it provided the most space and durability for the price. We added the annex thinking that it would be a good place for us to put sleep pads down for the kids.

Smittybilt Overland GEN2 XL Tent

The rooftop tent has really changed our way of camping in that we can stop almost anywhere and spend the night. It takes Smalls about 5 min to set up and less than 10 to take down. He did replace the D ring Velcro straps with buckles and that makes it much easier. It also allows us to leave the down mattress topper and quilts in the tent to save us storage. The blowup camping pillows have been great as well. They are so quick and easy to inflate and deflate.

https://thehappystrappy.com

Gold Armour Inflatable Camping Pillows

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We have not used the annex yet. Storage in the truck is at a premium and the annex is bulky. Also, our trips up to this point have been wet and we don’t want mud tracked inside.

The XL mattress is bigger than a king so we have been unable to find a sheet large enough.

If we had to do it again, I don’t think we really need the xl because we don’t let the kids sleep in there.

Also, if we waited and saved a bit, the hard top tents are so much easier and more compact.

In the winter months, we have been using the Mr. Buddy heater to stay warm. Let me say, up to 3 minutes with the heater on will keep you warm for hours. Any longer than that and it is hard to breathe.

In the summer months, we have been using a little clip battery powered fan. It has been perfect. We bought the Arctic Air Pure Chill which is an electric space cooler. We have not used it yet. We really haven’t been camping anywhere this summer that has been hot enough to require it. Typically, the lows have been in the 60’s at night. I think if we were staying on the beach or somewhere in direct sun–it would be a different story.

The LED strip light that is in the tent is quite intense so we intend to replace it with something that will not attract bugs. I must say though, when all the windows are closed, it is virtually black out quality.

The tent is showing some wear and tear around the edges where it attaches to the base. I’m not sure how long the tent will last in the long run, but we are enjoying it.

Kammock Mantis

Mediums got the Mantis all-in-one hammock tent for his 11th birthday. I lucked up and found it at REI in the scratch and dent section for $100 off. On the tag it said that it was used once and returned because it hurt the man’s back. Score 1 for mom.

The mantis includes the hammock body with suspension including 12kN Kanga Claw carabiners. It has a removable bug net, integrated structural ridgeline, rain fly with guy outs, 6 stakes, and 2 python 10 straps that all fits inside the roll top stuff sack. Mediums opened his present and hung his hammock immediately. The first thing he commented on is how soft the material is. The hammock is Gravitas 40D nylon diamond ripstop DWR. the canopy is make of Dragonet mesh with Stargazer panel for optimal contrast with the night sky. Finally, the rain fly is Patagium 15D nylon diamond ripstop nylon 1,500 PU/Silicone/DWR. The only thing you need to add to this set-up is insulation. We typically use an under quilt and top quilt.

Unpacked, the hammock is 120 in x 56 in and the fly is 136 in x 88 in. It packs down to 5.75 in x 5.75 in x 10 in and 2lb 14.5 oz. The ridgeline length is 115 in. It is an excellent size and weight for backpacking.

Mediums used this set-up the entire week we camped around NC in June. He slept great even through all the storms we had. I do wish that the fly was a bit wider. With all the rain, the under quilt did get a bit damp, but Mediums stayed warm and dry. I think that this is an excellent product!

Coleman Montana 8 person Tent

I bought this tent when I was a single mother of 2 for car camping. Its fairly easy to set-up even without help. I love it because it is over 6 ft tall in the middle so everyone can stand up straight when inside. It has a swing open door that makes it easy to get in and out. There are small openings that you can run electrical cords through if needed. On our first overloading trip to south GA, we had 2 kids sleeping in here on cots plus a large suitcase and some bags with plenty of room to spare. It holds up well to rain as long nothing is up against the walls of the tent and the rainfly is centered.

The downfall of the this tent is again its size. Its large so it takes up a lot of space. The tent is difficult to heat. We put our Mr. Heater Little Buddy indoor propane heater to keep the kids warm in freezing temperatures and we could not turn it off because it would immediately get cold again.

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Mr. Heater Little Buddy

This little propane indoor safe, space heater has been wonderful for us. We have used it in the rooftop tent a few times and after 5 min or less, we have to turn it off. It has a built in low oxygen sensor and accidental tip over switch for safety.

We have used it to help keep us warm when working to get a fire going or working outside. We even lent it to a neighbor to defrost their water line at a campground.

This is a great indoor safe heater for small spaces!

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Cloudland Canyon State Park

Yurt Living

Cloudland Canyon State Park is definitely one of my all time favorite state parks in Georgia! There is tons of hiking, beautiful views and waterfalls. It is close to Chattanooga and Lula Lake Land Trust. I have been several times, but this was the first time staying in a yurt–anywhere. We loved it!

https://www.lulalake.org/visit.html

The yurt has bunk beds and a futon sofa along with a table. There are bathroom facilities and a playground in the yurt village plus close access to the West Rim Loop Trail. We arrived late on Friday night so we unpacked and went to bed. There were strong thunderstorms though the night. We were right next to the canyon and the thunder was echoing from the canyon. Smalls and I really enjoyed it.

The next morning we woke up and headed over to the Interpretive Center to do the Overlook Trail and then headed down to the Waterfalls Trail. The weather held out long enough for us to see Cherokee Falls but not Hemlock Falls this trip. After another nice storm, we drove into Chattanooga and went to the aquarium. This is definitely one of our kids’ happy places.

There were more storms Saturday night and parts of Georgia had tornadoes. There was still more rain in the morning. The entire family was happy that we were staying in the yurt for this trip. We stayed perfectly comfortable and protected from the elements.

On the way home, we took the scenic route and did some off roading.

Len Foote Hike Inn from Amicalola Falls State Park

I first learned of Len Foote from a hiking forum and I felt like it was a safe alternative for hiking and “camping” alone. It books months in advance so I made my reservation and excitedly awaited my trip. In the coming months, I met Smalls and we started talking. Trying to find alone time when you are a single parent can be crazy. The first weekend that we both would be kid free was the same weekend that I had this trip booked. I decided that I would invite him and our first official date would be a make or break situation.

We chose to do the 4.7 mile point to point trail from Amicalola Falls State Park due to time restraints. This is a moderate trail with 1,207 ft elevation gain. Originally, I wanted to take the Approach Trail because it adds mileage and would be a good challenge. We were in better shape then than now. I still want to do the Approach Trail!

We arrived in time to check-in, put our stuff in our room, and hang out by the overlook until dinner. There was a tour of the facility that we chose not to participate in, but it seemed like it was informative. The inn is designed to be as earth friendly as possible. There are solar panels to decrease use of total electricity usage. The bathhouse is supplied by solar-thermal system. The bathrooms have composting toilets saving thousands of gallons of water. A favorite to all are the worm beds where red wiggler worms take care of kitchen scraps, organic waste, and office paper producing organic fertilizer.

The inn provides dinner and breakfast family style. Let me tell you, it was delicious! The rooms include twin bunk bed with linens. The rooms are lit and have either fan or heater depending on the season. There is access to bathrooms with toilets and hot shower. There is a gathering room with games, wood-burning stove, and wrap-around porch. I absolutely loved the no technology policy to encourage everyone to spend time together. We did have cell service. The staff there wakes everyone up at sunrise if the weather is projected to be clear so that everyone can come out and take it all in. The facility is all about relaxation and appreciating nature. This is a must-do experience!

Smalls and I had a great time! Obviously, the weekend went well–haha. On the hike out, we were stopped by a large Timber Rattler sunbathing on the trail. After a few minutes, he moved on. It was a cool experience. I highly recommend making an overnight trip to Len Foote. Make sure you have a reservation.

http://hike-inn.com/

Lula Lake Land Trust

Lula Lake Land Trust was established in 1994 through the will of Robert Davenport. Mr. Davenport began acquiring pieces of the land in 1958 and by the time of his death in 1994, he had acquired over 1,200 acres surrounding Lula Lake. Much of the land that Davenport acquired had been damaged through mining, timber harvesting, garbage dumping, and unrestricted public access. He and his family devoted their lives to rejuvenating the land and working on land conservation and protection. Now, they open this beautiful property up to the public on the first and last weekends of the month. Only a certain number of tickets are sold. Tickets are $15/vehicle. Gates are only open from 9am-5pm on these weekends and require reservations. The property is immaculate. There are a variety of trail options ranging from 4.2 miles to 8.7 miles.

Smalls and I had gone to Lula Lake last year with all the kids and while we enjoyed our time, we knew we wanted to come back just the two of us to explore all the trails. We finally got our opportunity! Due to a work conflict, we just went up for the day. We had the earliest reservation time from 9-10. We got there close to 10 and got on trail. We chose to do the Mountain Bike Loop which is 8.7 miles and rated as advanced. All I can say is WOW! The terrain kept changing. There was a beautiful overlook that we didn’t even know existed. The Adventure Loop was adventurous. We came up to the bluffs and took a different route down to the main waterfall that we had not done before. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at a table close to the main falls and then headed back. If you don’t want to go that far, you can take the main gravel road there and back for 4.2 miles for any combination of trails to do what works best for you. I feel like the trails are more moderate in difficulty. The Adventure Loop and Waterfalls Trail are difficult, but short.

We had a refreshing rain storm to cool us off. Of course, August in Georgia is a beast so we welcomed the rain. The previous trip, we visited in February. It had been quite a wet winter so the waterfall was really booming and there were icicles on the rock faces. I’m sure there is something beautiful to enjoy in every season. This place is gorgeous and 100% worth the $15. There is a privy by the entrance and a porter potty by the main falls. Bring water and snacks and enjoy the work this family has put into restoring the land.

Tellico Gap to the NOC

Labor Day weekend, we had a kid free weekend and after a lot of research, Smalls chose for us to do Tellico Gap to the NOC on the AT. It is 8.3 miles point to point difficult trail. The first half is a climb with incredible views and the second half descends into the NOC. Smalls arranged to have the Further Shuttle pick us up at the NOC to take us back to our car. Excellent service! Mary was punctual and knowledgeable.

Smalls and I headed up on Saturday and took our time stopping in Clayton to shop at one of our favorite Outfitters followed by a delicious meal. We drove over to Black Rock Mountain State Park to take in the views and watched the sunset at Wayah Bald. Absolutely incredible!

That night we stayed at a hotel in Franklin. We woke up early to head to the trail. The first mile up to Wesser Bald was a pretty good climb. It was 1.4 miles from Tellico Gap to Wesser Bald and up the fire tower. The views were outstanding! This would be a great day hike as well.

At the base of the tower, there are 2 splits. If you are facing the fire tower, the trail to the left goes north on the AT. The trail to the right we think takes you back to the parking area. The trail was pretty narrow and over grown through here for the next 2-3 miles. There were some pretty spectacular views at the halfway point. The trail was rolling most of the way with a good climb up to the final view on the trail.

From there, we hiked the other 4 miles downhill to the NOC. It was shaded and pretty. We stopped around mile 7 to have some lunch–a mountain house meal. The last mile or so into the NOC my knees were killing me and I don’t normally have knee pain. 5000 ft of descent will do that to you.

As we came in to the NOC, there were several large tents and a group of people carrying cases of beer to the shelter. We had planned to camp there but decided to look elsewhere because it seemed to be crowded and probably more lively than we wanted. Keeping our priorities straight we went to get a burger and a beer. Smalls asked one of the employees about options to stealth camp. He suggested Hobo Island. In true Smalls fashion, it all worked out.

The next morning we went back to get a pimento cheese, egg, and bacon biscuit with a Bloody Mary–can’t beat it! We saw the same employee and he asked if we stayed dry since Hobo Island often floods making it impassable to get back. It didn’t but he had a good laugh thinking that we could have been stranded. Mary from the Further Shuttle picked us up at noon as planned and we picked up our car to head home.