With seeing all of my sister, Danielle's amazing post of her travels around the state, I so wanted to have a trip together! So we planned one for the fall. What I didn't know at the time was how my body doesn't always corporate (in fact it is mostly unreliable lately) with what my heart and plans want to do. Despite having a really rough night the day before, we decided to push on with our plans anyway, knowing this would be the only time this year we could do so.
Our tip started with a 2.5 hour car ride to the mountains. However, we didn't get but about an hour away (and still on the interstate) when Shiloh starts crying from the very back stating she didn't feel well, wanting to go home and then that she was going to throw up. Oh boy! I scrambled to find a bag to pass back to her, just in time. In my heart I wanted to chalk it up to motion sickness, as she had been perfectly fine, but I wasn't so sure. No sooner had that happened, then Zoe covers her mouth, with huge eyes, and I knew what that meant....more scrambling for a bag on my part...just in time for her to throw up, too. So we had an unexpected stop at a near by battle ground to get some fresh air!
After cleaning everything off, the unexpected hole in Zoe's bag led to a pretty freaked out 7-year-old. She put on the extra pair of pants I THANKFUL had brought "just in case" (that were entirely to big and had to be secured by a rubber band). The kids were happy for a car break and by how they were acting, we concluded that it must just be car sickness (and Zoe learned to not look at someone who was in the middle of being sick).
I attempted to get a cute group leaf picture....but not so much.
Shiloh was excited to give her aunt some love!
We checked out their pretty extensive visitor center before heading back on our planned journey.
Thankfully I found additional grocery bags in the car, as Shiloh needed them yet again on the way to our next stop!
Then we made it to long sought after park High Shoals Falls, with a quick trip to the visitor's center and washing our hands.
It was remarkably cooler there and the wind encouraged us to hoodie up during lunch time!
The trials were finally calling!
With a walk along the river bed, the setting was just perfect!
The kids took turns running up ahead and finding treasures along the way.
The awesome photographer, Aaron, captured some great pictures (just assume if the picture is a good one it is his work!)
Girl cousins.
Love that my main love can be with us today!
My little Zoe loved to lead the way (which reminded me of myself as a youth), this also may or may not have led to a melt down when she was not allowed to run tooooo far ahead.
Adalyn had her own camera that she was fixed on capturing all the great shots as well!
The base of part of the waterfall had some fun boardwalks.
We decided to let the guys check on if there was more to see up the large steep stairs before all attempting ourselves...and had some fun playing on boulders while we waited.
The verdict was that it was worth it with way more to see, and the littles were troopers up all the stairs!
I'm glad they were as it was a pretty little spot and the first time my littles have seen a waterfall!
Someone kindly attempted a group shot for us there!
On the way out it was a little more tricky keeping the littles energized. When we got to the stage they wanted to put on a show for us. However, one little's feelings were hurt so much so that she wasn't able to shake it and just had a good cry instead.
One last play in the cold mountain water.
Aren't they too cute!
We attempted a happy family photo but Lydia was not feeling it.
Back in the car I knew we (except Beach) would have a good rest, as we all needed it! However, mine was short lived due to more motion sickness from Shi. Luckily she was able to go to sleep after that to spare her from more...side note: how do kids sleep like that?!
We took a different route home in order to go by Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill.
The girls wanted to be measured. Lydia was a bit confused with her age and was sure she was 4!
With all that walking there was a reward at the end! Cider and donuts. I may have eaten one (been a few months since I have had gluten) and felt the SIBO consequences for days!
We were all fans!
It was fun to try all their different varieties; I do love samples!
Picking season was over for the apples, although that would have been a lot of fun too!
It was getting a bit colder with the sun going down so we enjoyed warming by the fire pit.
We ended the evening finding a Mexican Restaurant, that we will not ever return to (in which I spent a lot of time with both my girls in bathroom...a lot of time). Overall, though a great trip and a tradition of cousin hiking that needs to be repeated for years to come.
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