Monterra Visit Part 2

I love rock hoppin' at the cove!
Mimi and Mom all cleaned up.

Dominic and Luca, two twin peas in a pod, taking a nap after the hike,

Mom and Dad took Rhonda and Chuck out to eat at one of their favorite restaurants in Brevard, the Hob Nob. Apparently they had a great meal, with great company!

A Visit from The Monterra's

Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Chuck and cousins Dominic and Luca visited us all the way from Denver, CO. They actually spent more time at MiMi's house, but that's ok, cause I went down there to seem them too. When they came to Brevard, we took them to Moore Cove for a hike and a picnic. It was a perfect day!

Aunt Chanley and Arawen were also there, as was, Chanley's friend Megan from CA. All sorts of Westerner's joined us that day! Here we are in our picnic circle.

The boys hanging out on the log.

Our picnic spot had a great view of the waterfall.

Arawen and I playing in the creek, sorry, not sure why this one won't flip over.

The Official Potty Song

"Poo poo on the potty, that's what we gotta do, go poo-poo (cha, cha, cha) on the loo."

I get a lollipop if I put the poo in the loo! I'm getting pretty good at it now and wearing underpants sometimes during the day.

A Geography Lesson

Fathers Day 2011

Father's Day was Sunday, the 19th. Dad and I headed out into the forest for a short hike and then had breakfast at The Gate Keeper's Table, while mommy went to the shop to do a big clean-up after the busy weekend. I got dad a funny card, a new pair of shoes and a new pair of jandals, all of which are getting put to good use.

Who is that masked man?

Helping mom get her bike ready.

Switching roles. I'm the driver! Dad, get in your car seat!

A Father's Day Serenade

Snakes!

We were getting up close and personal to the snakes at Earthshine and I wasn't scared one bit!

This snake lives in a series of tubes that wrap around the nature center, very neat!

This is actually not a snake, but a blue-tongued skink, all the way from Australia!

Mr. Steve was helping this snake shed his skin.

A Trip to Earthshine

Mum organized a trip to Earthshine Mt. Lodge, you know, the place where mum and dad got married, for me and my friends. Mr. Steve showed us all the critters in the new Nature Center then we went and tracked turtles. It was fun! The next few posts will show highlights from our visit. Enjoy. I tried to be first in line to enter the Nature Center.

Broden, myself and Elias petting a blue-tongued skink.

Snake skin, fresh off the boa!

Possum power. Mommy's least favorite creature of the day.

Rescued Eastern Box Turtles. Steve is helping them heal before sending them back into the wild.

Splashville

Splashville in Asheville

Mum and I headed to the big city last Thursday to run some errands and meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Layton. Since we had some extra time and it was extremely hot outside, we headed over to Splashville, right in the middle of the city, at Pack Square. It was interesting...

It was very chaotic, wet and loud, unlike the forest waterfalls I am use too. I stood on the edge and took it all in, watching the kids frolic in the jet streams coming up from the ground. I was skeptical, but I came around.

I tended to play it safe, staying near the smaller of the jet streams. Others joined me.

Sometimes I would take a break and catch my breath. I didn't like the splashing in the face that was hard to avoid.

All in all, Splashville was fun, but I still prefer the rivers, lakes and pools.

In Conclusion, Camping was a Great Success

The Morning After

Well, we survived the night out. No crazy racoons keeping us up, nor skunks prowling at the tent door. I had a challenging time getting to sleep, as I was so excited to be in the tent with mum and dad, but I eventually settled in and slept till 8:00am! Mum was up first, and she snapped this photo before heading out for a trail run.
Dad suggested we leave and patronize a nearby breakfast cafe, but mum insisted we strike up the camp stove and make porridge. It was fun to eat breakfast au natural!

Close-Up

Just a shot to prove that mum was with us on the camping trip. We were all sitting together on a big rock.

Roasting Daddy's Nose

The title says it all. This is a very funny video.

Camp Fire Dessert

The best dessert (after gelato of course), sweet kisses and roasted marshmallows!

Camp Fire

After mum and I had our chilly evening dip in the river, Dad, the ultimate fire starter, and I got the fire going strong and got to the task of getting dinner on the picnic table.

Yum, sausages!

My First Tent Experience

On Tuesday, Mum, Dad and I went for a camp-out in Pisgah National Forest. It was my first time setting up and sleeping in a real tent, outside, all night in a campground. Needless to say, I was PSYCHED. The next few posts will be from our night out in the woods. Enjoy!

Eagle Lake

My pal Benj and his family own a home near Eagle Lake. I'm so jealous. He has his very own lake. Luckily he invites me up all the time to play and swim. I don't look overly excited in this first photo, but believe me, I am pretty psyched to be there!

My first time in a kayak, one that is actually on the water.



Snake skin. Where is the snake??? How did he lose his skin??

Baby Pool

Mum got out the "baby pool" yesterday and gave it a good scrub. I stripped down, I couldn't even stand wearing the sun-hat, and went for a quick dip. I must say it's not as exciting as the lakes, rivers, and big pool, but it does make for a nice cool down spot when the temperatures are hot. I actually enjoy using the hose to fill it up more than I do playing in it filled.

Hiking with the Conrad Sisters

Ms. Ashley lives in Charlotte, but her sister Leslie lives in Clemson, which is not too far from Brevard. We met in Dupont Forest on Sunday for a hike. We showed the sisters around Triple Falls and High Falls and went for a nice wade in the river under the covered bridge. They are both so sweet and fun, I wish they lived here so I could see them more often!

I won't look at the camera, you can't make me.


Posing at Triple Falls. Rudder, the black lab, wasn't use to being on a leash. I thought he was going to pull Ms. Leslie right into the water, but she held strong.

Hunting for tadpoles just behind the top falls.

Summer in Full Swing!

The summer solstice isn't until June 21st, but summer in Brevard is in full swing. We kicked-off the 3rd season visiting "the Shoals" this past Friday in Dupont Forest. We had 5 moms and 6 kids and the numbers will grow as schools get off for the holiday.

I hope you enjoy the next few months of blog-posts as I highlight my summer in the sun!

Summer 2011, here I come!

I enjoyed rock climbing in the parking lot before the hike in.

I loved swimming in the swimming holes. I made sure I scoped out each and every swimming hole in this part of the river. I sat down on the blanket for a snack, briefly, once in the 3 hour trip. Too much to see and do. Mum didn't get a photo of the tadpole I caught, but believe me, I did catch one of those quick, slippery little creatures.

See my friends in the distance?