You may have noticed that the GA Wards have not been posting very much these past few days. That is because we have been on our annual backpacking trip. This is the second year we have done this hike and I love it. We hike to the top of Blood Mountain. The hike is two miles long and has an elevation gain of 1500 feet. The kids all carried their own packs all the way up and were troopers. This year the weather was absolutely perfect. The hike up was nice and warm and it wasn't too cold overnight. The sunset was absolutely incredible. It must have lasted for 45 minutes. After the sun went down the five of us laid on a rock on top of a mountain we had conquered together and watched the stars come out. It may have been the first time my kids have seen the milky way and they were really excited. We slept in an Appalachian Trail shelter built by the CCC in the 30s. I love to go backpacking. It is 'simple' camping and in a lot of ways is less work than car camping. The food is simple, camp generally gets setup in a hurry and the views are usually great. Some of the most amazing and memorable experiences I have had have been on backpacking trips. As a scout I went into the windriver mountains for a week. The beauty of that place is something I will never forget. I also walked past a bear with a pack on my back and have watched the sun set from the saddle of the Grand. When you go into the backcountry, you leave civilization behind. The hustle and bustle of life just fades away and I find myself appreciating what I am seeing much more than I usually do. There is all the time in the world to watch a sunset, talk or listen to a bird. It is hard to remember your problems out in in the woods. I have been waiting for the kids to get big enough to go for a long time. As the kids get bigger I hope our annual trip gets bigger and better as well.
The pictures from our trip can be found in these two galleries:
http://crystal-images.smugmug.com/gallery/3657321#208794276
http://crystal-images.smugmug.com/gallery/3659278#208977733
7 comments:
Wow! Sounds like a great trip and one that will be remembered for a long time. I remember the campouts we had as a family and how much fun we always had. I haven't looked at the pictures yet but I will.
Just looked at the pictures ... next time take a few more sunset pictures.
What a wonderful adventure--i love that you enjoy being with your wife and kids so much. Trips like this will be some of the glue that will tie your family close together as the years go by. I remember the camping trips I took with my family--mostly to Yellowstone--i can still smell the campfires and the stories we told around them. There were always lots of giggles in the tent and a togetherness and closeness with each other and God--I think those were the times I especially understood my parents love of the Savior and thankfulness for the beautiful world He created. Just reading your blog made me feel like I was there enjoying the sunset with you.
WOW! The pictures are wonderful. I'll have to admit I really enjoy the ones with the family in them and I like it when the photographer gets in there too!
Looks like a great hike. Nothing like watching the sunset in the quit of a mountaintop. The sunset from the saddle of the Grand was the best. The shadow the Tetons cast in the valley at sunset was unforgettable.
I have enjoyed what little I have hiked on the Appalachian Trail. Some day I will find the time to walk the whole thing.
Looks wonderful! Wish I could have been there but I am glad that it worked out that you all could go!
Dan and Crystal you do such a great job keeping those kids entertained and with such amazing activities! Looks (and sounds) like a really amazing adventure.
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