Camping Trip Part I

I wanted to go camping on my birthday this year.  John was able to take off of work, so all five of us went.

We camped in Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  We had never been to that section of the park, so I was looking forward to seeing something new.

Elkmont was owned by a logging company who sold lots to some people from Knoxville and it also became a resort community. Most of the cabins were built from 1910 to the 1930s.  There was a hotel there, too, but we didn't go to that site.  (We'll just have to go back sometime.)

We hiked partway down the Little River Trail after setting up the tent and eating lunch.

The Spence Cabin; this one has been restored and is available for rental for weddings, etc.

Natalie in front of the Little River

 This section of Elkmont is known as "Millionaire's Row".  There are only a few houses left standing here and the Spence Cabin is the only one that has been restored.

 I love looking at houses, so I liked seeing these old dilapidated buildings tucked in among the trees.  It's not safe to go in them (and it's illegal), so we just peered into the windows and doors.

We have a deck of "Star Wars" cards that have quotes from the movies on them.  They were playing War and every time anyone would lay their card down, they would read the quote aloud, sometimes imitating the character's voice.  It was pretty entertaining to listen to.

As usual, I took way too many pictures to include in one post, so I'll continue talking about the rest of our trip in another one.