Hiking on the AT

It is hard to believe it has already been two weeks since our family hike on the Appalachian Trail, but when I looked at the calendar, that's what it says. 

For Christmas, Scott and Brody both got Osprey hiking packs.  Scott also racked up some other hiking stuff including the hiking poles he took with us on the hike.  Scott was eager to try his new pack.  He packed it full of stuff we might take on a much longer hike...extra clothing, food, bottled water...

Brody assembled his pack.  He is such a funny kid.  Brody took his flashlight and his pocket tool, both very practical and appropriate.  He added his extra clothes and a bottle of water...still very practical.  Then he put in the coloring sheets and markers - you know, in case the hike got really boring and he decided to sit down and color for a little while.  He cracks me up.

Brayden did not have an 'official' hiking pack, but he was not going to be left out.  He packed one of his old backpacks.  He carried extra clothes and bottled water.

I was the smartest of all and carried no pack.  :)  Who needs that extra weight?  Just kidding.  I carried the camera.

Our hike went along the AT to Laurel Falls.  Scott had carefully packed our lunch.  Sandwiches, fruit snacks, granola bars, trail mix...we had a little bit of everything.  First things first, though.  The Eno hammocks had to be put up.  This meant finding perfectly spaced trees.  Not a problem.

Did I mention the littlest Orsburn was part of our hike?  Miss Maisy joined us and she hiked the 5 miles like a champ!  All she needed was a few water breaks and a piece of cheese for lunch.

(Photo bomb courtesy of Scott)

The waterfall was slightly more impressive than my photography shows.  I'm not sure what angle this was, but the waterfall seemed much higher than it appears here.  The boys actually hiked to the top.  Scott has a picture of them at the top of the falls on his phone.  He does not share pictures with me.  

 

After lunch, we hiked back up and out a little further before turning back to the car.  Scott wanted to check out the camping shelter. 

I really wish I had managed to get a picture of all of us together.  Maybe next time.  We had such a fun day.  I can't wait until our next hiking adventure.