Chimney Rock

We are loving being a family here in Asheville! After more than a month of living apart (with Mark working in Asheville and me at home with the kids finishing up school), it is so nice to be all together. Today Mark had the day off, so we headed out to Chimney Rock State Park and spent the day hiking and exploring that beautiful place. It was rainy all morning but cleared up nicely in the afternoon. Rain or shine, we were determined to enjoy our day! :)

Umbrellas actually make great hiking gear!

Not sure who these weirdos are... (and yes, Mark does have a mustache in these pics. He did it to tease me about him trying to fit in more with the Asheville crowd.)

Lunch in the van--perfect place for a picnic in the rain 

We ARE enjoying ourselves :)

Even though we're atop Chimney Rock here, these two are happy just playing with rocks and puddles.

Buddies

I'm so glad I caught this little moment. These two fight a lot but really are cute friends.

Grant got SOAKED in the waterfall and loved every minute of it (until the ride home, of course)

Enjoying the view atop Chimney Rock (once the sky cleared!)

The fam

Touching snakes

Petting the groundhog--who was happily nibbling on a sweet potato! :)

I always love seeing new places and having new adventures with my family. So even though today was exhausting (we hiked more than 5 miles and climbed hundreds of stairs) and wet, it was a happy day.