Mountain Christmas Hike

The second day of our Gatlinburg vacation brought great adventures for our little one.  The boys talked us into a "small hike."  All the girls got up, showered, and ready to hit the trail.  I think we got out of the cabin by noon.  Ha!  We opted for a shorter 5 mile roundtrip hike to Abram's Falls.  Abram's Falls is in the very back of the Cade's Cove loop, so we enjoyed our views throughout the scenic loop as well.  When we arrived and got Millie Janalee strapped on, grabbed the camera bag and video camera, and ate a nutritious pre-hike snack of Oatmeal Creme Pies...we noticed the sign.  It said 3-4 hour hike.  Hmmmm....

Millie Janalee proved herself that day!  She proved that she could hang with this crew.  Literally!  Ha!  Her little feet just dangled away as we hiked over the tree roots, stumps, and rocks.  I've gotta admit that the first part of the hike was difficult for me.  Once I got used to the pace and the extra weight on my shoulders, we moved right along.  Not quite as fast as Sheila and Dustin, but moved nonetheless.  Occasionally, Dustin and Sheila would stop for us to catch up and snap a picture or two.

Susu, Sheila, Dustin, me, Millie Janalee, and Russ

It wasn't long after this photo opp that Millie Janalee fell into a deep sleep to the sound of the mountains and the trickling of the creek nearby.  Her feet really started swinging with each step at this point.  Ha!

There were a few questionable moments when I thought it probably wasn't the safest idea to carry a baby through this hike.  We laughed taking guesses on what Paw Paw would say about it!  But, we did see another couple carrying their little one on their back.  That made us feel a little less crazy!

This log "bridge" crossed over a creek several feet below

Party of Three

A little over an hour and half (maybe even two hours) later, we made it to the waterfall!  It was a beautiful view and a very peaceful resting point.  Dustin and Sheila climbed the rocks to the falls while the rest of us watched on.  I was busy taking the carrier off...and examining the solid sweat in the shape of the carrier left on my shirt.  I looked cute.  Very cute.  Anything in the name of Millie Janalee, I guess!

Millie Janalee couldn't take her eyes of the waterfall.  It was so cute!  She loved it!  We just sat there staring at the water falling and splashing for a little while.  We all sat for a while and rested, talked, joked, and Millie Janalee had a bottle.  Take note how conveniently hungry she was.  Her bottle was nearly an hour late, and she didn't even notice!  Such a mountain baby!  There were several others sitting eating a packed lunch or snack too.

Millie Janalee loved the waterfall!

Resting

This was a Swamp People lookalike Dustin said...but I was more concerned with trying to steal that chocolate!

Lunchtime!

It was a beautiful day for a hike, and the perfect first hike for Millie Janalee!

Russ took his turn carrying Millie Janalee on the way back down.  She did cry a little, but by the time we finished she was ready to play, smile, and giggle.  We were all sore and our legs were shaking...well, maybe that was just the girls!  We made it up and down with only one "main event."  You'll just have to ask Susu about that one.  Hahahahaha!

Daddy/daughter hike

We made it back to the cabin in time for a yummy supper of homemade vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches!  We all got comfortable and kicked our feet up for the night! 

It was a wonderful mountain Christmas hike!