Last Days of Autumn

Our warm, sunny days of Autumn are getting fewer, and before much longer we'll be fully into winter, and you all will need to remind me that, yes, we chose to move here from Florida! But, hey, at least it feels like what November is supposed to feel like, and that we are loving.

I was told that November is absolutely the best time of year to go camping. Now, looking at the weather forecast with lows in the mid 40s, I wasn't so sure, but heck if Michael wasn't right (of course). The days were warm, around 60-degrees, and the night-time 40s are warmer than you'd think, especially with a cozy fire. We even chose to bring Adam, and with plenty of layers, shared sleeping bags, extra eyes and hands to help, and a handy hiking pack for him, he had a blast! 

Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest was Michael's stomping ground during his college days, and I could see the glee in his eyes as we packed the car and he checked his rappelling equipment. There is nothing even remotely comparable to the sights and hikes like these in Florida!

We drove down with my sister Angie and her family Saturday morning for one night in the woods. We took three hikes:

1) An easy trail out to Chimney Rock

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Notice Adam in his hiking pack, a never-used hand-me-down from Aunt Megan. I'm so glad we stored it in our attic all this time. Came in so handy! He was not a fan of it at first, but by the end of the weekend he loved getting in his pack and going on the hikes. In fact, he would squeal with delight at the most dangerous parts of the trail/climb. Uh-oh, just like his Daddy...

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2) A treacherous I-can't-watch-as-my-husband-scales-the-cliff-with-our-son-strapped-to-his-back hike to Half Moon Rock for rappelling

View of Chimney Rock (center) from Half Moon. Click to enlarge. 

This is where the aforementioned dangerous trail came in. To get to the top of Half Moon we had to scoot, crawl, climb and help each other up to the top, and once up there, there were certainly no railings, just long drops off the cliff-sides. Fortunately we also had Michael's brother Daniel and cousin Matthew to help out. Once on top we kept Adam strapped safely in his pack, until he was too far past nap time and he just wanted to lay his head down. Aunt Angie was more than willing.

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3) a Sunday morning long hike out to Gray's Arch. 

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This was the highlight of the trip for me. The trail is 3 miles round-trip, and we first hiked down on to the top of Gray's Arch, and then we followed the trail down and around to be beneath it. Fortunately most of the trees had lost their leaves so we could appreciate it better. The arch, combined with the cliff overhang and rugged terrain, is spectacular. Angie, Josh and the boys hiked up to stand underneath the arch, and as I watched them from below I couldn't help but think they looked like tiny actors on a gigantic movie set. 

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And of course, there was camping. We found the perfect camping spot right off the trail, where you find your own firewood, pack your own water, and the bathroom is anywhere and everywhere you look. (Joy!) Of course, with the time change and earlier darkness, I think we were all in bed by 9pm!

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But the big event of the weekend was the rappelling. Michael has all the equipment and taught me to rappel back in our college days. With my nephews now 11 and 9 years old, this was a great opportunity to teach them, too.

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Both boys hardly hesitated before scaling down the 40-foot face. So proud of them! I think it even impressed a similarly-aged youth group watching from above. Funny moment, too -- the youth group leader (the bald guy in the blue shirt in the video) is a guy I knew in college. I hadn't seen him or his wife in 12 years... I was at their wedding in 1999! Small world!

And while the rappelling was thrilling and fun, the climb back up.... not so much!