The Great Channels

The kids and I went on an amazing adventure this weekend to Abingdon, Virginia.  We rented an RV and met our friends, the McCabes, at an RV site up north.  We planned this trip around a crazy hike called The Great Channels.  The hike was 3.5 miles up a mountain to get to a 20-acre labyrinth of sandstone at the highest point of Clinch Mountain.  The formations were made from permafrost and ice wedging during the last ice age, which split large seams in the soft rock.  It looked like the slot canyons from out west!  I have been dying to go here for over a year.  

We actually almost backed out of the hike because the forecast showed rain and thunderstorms all day.  There were also only ten parking spots and if you didn't get one, you have to turn around and drive the thirty minutes back to camp and wait for one to open.  We were also nervous that the kids (and adults) could not handle such a strenuous and long hike.  Saturday morning, however, the forecast had changed with only scattered showers.  We had all had a great night of sleep and decided we were going for it!

The hike was crazy hard.  The first 3.5 miles was straight up the mountain.  I carried Ethan the whole way up and Harper, amazingly, did the whole hike up herself!  The views at the top were completely worth it.  We had lunch and played in the maze.  Unexpectedly, the hike down was super difficult.  Carrying both kids for over 1.5 miles did not help.  It seemed like it would never end!

We had a great time this weekend and do look forward to renting the RV again!

   

Driving the RV!

   

   

We made it!  The kids were so happy to see Parker and Ben.

   

There was a little arcade at the RV park.

  

We were surrounded by mountains. 

   

My hot dog and chip lover.

   

RV camping requires late night peanut butter sandwiches and gummy candies with milk.

   

   

The kids had planned to sleep in the bed up front, but they changed their minds and snuggled with me instead.

   

    

The weather turned out to be perfect.  The temperature was great for hiking and the occasional rain helped to keep us cool.  It was very misty on the hike too (the pictures don't do it justice)!

   

Ready to hike!

   

We were super impressed that the kids could walk up the mountain.

   

   

Rachael and Dean

  

   

We saw tons of wildlife.  We found a frog, a snail and a lizard on the trail.  On the way to the trail, we saw deer, bunnies and chickens.

   

   

     

Every now and then Ethan would want to walk ten steps.

    

Harper was the line leader.

    

Getting close to the top!

   

We made it!  The top of the mountain had beautiful flat rocks and flora.  There was a fire tower from the early 1900s.  The entrance to the channels was just beyond the fire tower.

   

   

   

   

The Great Channels!

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

     

    

   

   

  

  

    

Only the kids could fit through this channel.

   

   

   

   

   

   

    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   

  

  

  

   

  

We made it through!

    

The little guys!

   

  

The hike down was exhausting.  Carrying two kids is not my favorite.  Also, neither kid would sit in the heavy backpack I was wearing.  Luckily, I also had a front carrier. 

    

   

  

After the hike and some well deserved pizza, we went for a swim.

  

   

The campsite was beautiful down by the water.