This was the view from Clingman's Dome in Smoky Mountain National Park where we started our hike.
Our little family. (It was cold!)
Ben and Ann Britton and their four kiddos: Caleb, Hannah, Lydia, and Daniel.
(Photo credit: Rachel Dudenhofer)
Patrick and Rachel (Britton) Dudenhofer and their two boys: Mark and Peter (with a little girl on the way!)
(Photo credit: Rachel Dudenhofer)
The whole group!
(Photo credit: Rachel Dudenhofer)
Strapping Isaac into the Ergo carrier for the hike.
(Photo credit: Rachel Dudenhofer)
Off to the trail head!
Mom and Dad Britton
The beginning was easy - lots of man-made steps down a mountain!
Isaac enjoyed riding with Daddy!
Elizabeth was great help for the little ones.
The whole forest smelled like fir trees. It was invigorating!
Beautiful red berries.
The happy little piggy-back-man!
Little peeks of splendor.
So far, a pretty easy trail.
Then, the stairs ended...
and it got a little rockier.
Waiting for the rest of the group to catch up.
Here come a few!
Off again! (Notice who fell asleep in the Ergo.)
Destination reached! St. Andrew's Bald.
(Photo credit: Rachel Dudenhofer)
Lunch time! The soft grass on St. Andrew's Bald proved to be the perfect spot for our picnic. And Nathan found a grove of bushes that cut the chilling wind, making it even better. :)
Still smiling!
Time to head back up the trail!
But first, a quick picture of our group that hiked to St. Andrew's Bald! (The rest of the family preferred a shorter, less rocky trail.)
More glorious views...
Isaac fell asleep on the way back too.
In the warm car once again!
Totally zonked.
(Photo credit: Rachel Dudenhofer)
We had a fabulous time in Gatlinburg with the Brittons! I was reminded once again what a great family I married into. :) It was wonderful to get away for a few days, and then it was wonderful to come home again!
