Smokies cut short ):

We planned to visit the park again today to do a hike, visit the mill, and check out the largest waterfall in the area. 

We saw signs on the way in that said 441 was closed. That was the road to cross the park. So we were glad we had driven to the other side yesterday. 

We started out on the river trail. 

But on the way toward the ranger station, a ranger approached us to let us know that the park was closed due to coming weather. The other side of he park already had downed trees, some blocking the road and others on cars! They expected winds up to 80-85mph and were advising everyone to leave the area quickly or if that wasn't possible to find shelter and "shelter in place" to ride out the storm!

Well that was a bit disconcerting. I told her I was from California and we do earthquakes with no advanced notice so I needed some advice - do we head back and hang out at our campsite 8 miles away, or do we need to pack up the trailer and head out? Of course, she said to head to the camper and ask at the campground what we should do. 

The kids had finished their junior ranger so I told them to run back to check in before the visitor center closed. So they ran, and somehow got in through a door someone had left unlocked. Oops. Since they were inside, the ranger let me in even though they were closed and I got to listen to her calling all the visitor centers around North Carolina (who send people to the park) telling them that the national park was officially closed as of noon. 

It was a little eerie being the only ones there by the time we left, but we knew we had a little time before the storm would hit. We drove back to Jellystone and asked at the office. They said they hadn't heard anything and to just make sure we put in our awning in case of high winds. 

So we did. And made lunch and hunkered down in the "Rec Room" for some yogi movies and games to wait out the storm... that did not come. 

After a couple hours, we decided to run up to the falls we had planned to see. They weren't inside the park and in fact were only 2 miles from camp. 

The 180' falls were beautiful. 

It was a little hike to the viewing bridge, but nobody was too winded - as exhibited by their climbing all over the falls!

Sy was so funny - he just had to touch falling water - and he found a way. 

It was still pleasant, so the older boys and I walked back on the 2mile path to camp while Scott drove the road with the youngers. 

When we got back the boys decided to rent these 4-wheelers while the youngers played a nature/rafting game on Xbox. (I guess it's the next best thing to being outside.)

When the rain finally came, it was a mist. Then overnight we got a good rain. But we never got the wind. We were camping on the Cherokee reservation and I think these native Americans chose their land wisely. (:

New River Gorge

Pancake breakfast with grandma!

A visit to the New River, "one of the oldest rivers in the world, second only to the Nile." ???

we explored the visitor center, then

headed down to Brookside where the caretaker, Louie, gave us a tour and guided us on a hike.

We avoided the poison ivy and made it.

The river was beautiful.

A cute moment for grandma and Ky. 

This baby turtle just hatched and came out of this little hole. We found quite a few of them near our picnic table where we had lunch.

Sadly, after our picnic it was time for grandma to take off and head back to Atlanta.

We stayed and went to the Grandview area to hike some more.

There sure was a grand view!

This was a fun path barely carved into the wall of the canyon. The drop offs next to us were quite extreme.

And we finished up our day with a couple tunnels. Still not sure how to see that they are coming and avoid them with the RV. Hoping the propane ban never becomes an issue.

More McDill FUN

We were so excited to see our friends again! Last time, we just met and had so much fun. This time we knew going in that we would be blessed to fellowship with this amazing family!

And this time it was much greener because it's spring! Nevertheless, the kids were sledding (!) down this hill. 

It took some doing to get there. GPS took us off the paved roads that we know lead to their home and put us on a narrow one-lane dirt road. As we approached this turn, I yelled for Scott to stop (before the trailer ended up falling down this hole)! We were able to back up and took a turn wider. When we came to a second similar spot, we had a better approach and made it through the first time. 

Never a dull moment. 

Somehow, on this visit they were celebrating a birthday, just like the last visit. But I suppose with nine kids it is more likely to happen. (:

part of the time we were there, and everyone played inside. But when it was sunny, they were out running around. Jo even went to the river with the oldest boys to swim! We have been surprised at how warm the water is in the river is here. But that makes sense, since the Pacific is freezing and most of all freshwater rivers and lakes in California are snow and glacial run off. These rivers are primarily rain water.  

Everyone wnjoyed each other's company. 

Here is just a smattering of the state signs that we've seen in the last day or so!

Charleston, WV - Capitol #45

On the way to the capital, we passed this coal-fire electric plant and decided to look it up and read about it. It was interesting reading about how much coal is burned to create electricity, how much electricity is made and, of course, how much carbon dioxide is created.

The capital itself with very prestigious and sits right on the Kanawha River, a tributary of the Ohio.

The statue of a coalminer at the Capitol complex reminded us of the movie October Sky that we watched at Christmas time. It is about high school students in a small coal mining town here in West Virginia who won a rocket science competition years ago. It's too bad the town is 1 1/2 hours out of our way, otherwise we will probably visit.

The capital of West Virginia waveres back-and-forth between the cities of Wheeling and Charleston several times before they finally decided on Charleston and built this beautiful Capitol.

This building is in a U-shape. Each side with built at a different time, but it is able to house all parts of the West Virginia government.

This Capitol can claim to have a higher roof than the US Capitol (by 5 feet). It is also designed by the same architect, Cass Gilbert, who also designed the Minnesota Capitol.   

The chandelier hanging from the dome weighs 4000 pounds!

Next-door is the State Museum.

Everyone enjoyed learning about West Virginia's history.

West Virginia became a state in the middle of the Civil War. Prior to that it was part of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

And it seems that these days no visit to a capital would be complete without a protest. This one was about climate change. 

Guess who we found in London (Ohio)?!?

Grandma drove from Atlanta to Ohio to hang out with us for a few days!

The kids were so surprised when she pulled up next to us one night. "Is that... GRANDMA?!?" said Kaia. "WHAT?!?" replied the boys. Then they all jumped out of the car and ran over to give her hugs. So fun! Best Grandma ever!