The Surrendered Path

We were two hours ahead of the storm’s arrival as we were loading up the van.

We were doing final preparations and prepping food. By the time we were finally closing the van doors, we were only one hour ahead of the storm. We could feel the strong wind advisory for 40+ mph winds. The van was rocking gently back and forth in its parking spot with each gust of the howling wind.

We decided to take a test drive around town towards the freeway and drive one exit. If it was dicey, we would turn back, as it was likely we would be in this weather the entire drive east.

We were pleasantly surprised. With favorable driving conditions, we continued on. We were all craving the van on the open road, some camping in this beautiful fall weather, and, of course, the elusive campfire!

This would be our third time seeing The Great Smoky Mountains. The first two times, on road trips, they were pitch black in the dead of night. Boy, coming back to feast our eyes on these majestic mountains in their magnificent fall glory was so worth it.

Our drive in this cool crisp October was nothing short of SPECTACULAR. It was snowing fall colored leaves, fluttering gracefully down through the air. They kicked up and danced on the road with each passing car, swirling around in colorful kaleidoscopic circles. Between the bright yellow, the shades of orange, and the vibrant reds it was nonstop swirling bursts of beautiful fall color against a gorgeous sunset backdrop. Mother Nature was putting on quite the show.

When we pulled into our spot, the glow from sunset was gone for the evening and darkness had set in. Within a few minutes, the wind picked up and was really loud and powerful, blowing leaves past our window at a cartoon-like rate of speed. Then the rain started to come down and we were so thankful that the storm never gained on us during our drive, it kindly greeted us just as we parked.

We mostly stayed inside eating our dinner and listening to Mother Nature’s live show. A few hours later, as we drifted off, all we could hear was the pitter patter of rain as it gently lulled us to sleep.

I had forgotten how relaxing it was, drifting off to sleep with the windows open to silent inky black darkness, with crisp evening air greeting your cheeks. Nature is the coziest bedroom ever. The only thing to make it better was the kids were both asleep, so silence greeted us inside as well.

The raw nature of the Smoky Mountains filled the air with energy and negative ions, it feels so good just being here.

Early morning sunrise brought our first glimpse of our campsite in all its glory.

Now, if you recall, all the way back to our first Boondoking post, there was one thing we REALLY, REALLY wanted to experience all together on one of our camping trips, and it never happened.

A campfire! The well placed summer fire restrictions prevented it, as did the Tennessee heatwave when we first arrived.

The fall temperatures today dropped 20° and I can think of no better time for our first campfire than this morning to cook breakfast. We have all of the vegetables pre-chopped, our sprouts ready to top off our bowls with epic delicious nutrition, and our own fire master, Marcus, is going to give Parker her first lesson.

This was just what we all needed. A really simple day, in nature, centered around being together, playing, cooking our meals over an open fire and marveling at the spectacular fall show.

Parker learned how to start a fire with a bow and smelled the sweet smell of burning wood as a little ‘punk’ formed, then it got transferred to a ‘nest’, and they had all the next size burning materials ready.

The chilly weather kept us centered around the campfire and we loved it! We made breakfast and lunch and then cooked both meals for tomorrow too.

Cooking over a campfire is still my favorite kitchen, especially when I come with things prepped so we just enjoy. Everything cooked over cast iron outside just tastes better.

In the morning we can just warm our breakfast and relax around the campfire before heading back.

When we finished we had an epic s’mores session that made everyone a little giddy and excited.

Our hearts love to slow down in nature. To cook slowly over a campfire, to savor our meals instead of rushing on to the next task. To refresh our souls.

Then we go back recharged and better able reach our next goals. We are loving this season and the growth the kids are having.

Fall might be our favorite season in the south, we’ll have to wait and see what winter and spring bring, but they have a lot of competition.

Out of nowhere Wednesday, a very uneasy feeling set in for a little bit, almost like anxiety, which I never get. Especially on a wonderful calm camping day. I told the family I felt something really intense happening but nothing was happening, there was no reason for it, it was a quiet day, it made no sense. It went away shortly and we finished up lunch.

Beckham napped in all of his clothes, on a blanket, under a blanket, and he was cozy warm. Usually he kicks everything off but this cold fall weather required we go all out to keep warm.

After Beckham napped we helped him put on his fur lined little shoe booties and he squealed as Marcus greeted him at the door. His little legs running through the air as I lifted him up to dad.

Parker excitedly showed him the packet Papa had gotten her that you toss into the fire and it makes lots of magical colors! We all stood there mesmerized for a bit. The sun was down and the after sunset glow was fading fast.

This is when the van makes all of this possible, it got pretty cold. I went in and turned on the heat, got it up to a warm 64° degrees and brought him in, still all bundled up.

He warmed up and we went outside to play, he was so excited and squealing.

We had one more session of Smore’s, because, when in Rome. We laughed, playing the silly game while we watched the fire die out.

The second night we were in low 40s and it felt so incredible to enter a van that was 64°. We turned the heater off for the night and bundled up. Making a mental list that we all needed super cozy winter specific camping socks.

Parker and Beckham both, who usually like our cool bamboo sheets, were cozy up to their ears under a huge pile of blankets.

Marcus has such a dreamy morning routine from his wilderness living days. He enjoys waking up first and getting the fire going and having his own personal peaceful quiet time. He double blessed the three of us hiding under our blankets and flipped the heater on as we got out of bed.

The sun came out for us today and it lit up every fall tree making it more beautiful than was even possible.

We all sat around the fire, warming our breakfast, eating the best tasting breakfast burritos I’ve ever had and loaded with sprouts. We slowly packed things up and cleaned up as we enjoyed the morning.

We were looking forward to our drive back as our drive in was stormy and dark and today is all sunshine, something different and beautiful.

Service popped back up on our phones and they started popping up with one notification after another. We generally don’t even touch them for a few minutes because if you did, you would be constantly interrupted.

The first text I read was from my mom, my aunt had gone to heaven yesterday morning. That meant, since we were on East coast time, it happened as we were having lunch.

Remember that random bout of interesting feelings that something was happening during lunch? A beautiful little gift from my Aunt on her way to heaven, to be surrounded by so many people we love. A surreal ending to our trip. So blessed to have known her, to have loved her and been loved by her, to have helped her, and to have been here, enjoying life’s beautiful glory, during her send off to heaven.

That’s where we will end it today. A life giving mid week get away to an epic location we always dreamed of seeing, just as the leaves were changing.

Hug your loved ones today and tell them what they mean to you, in honor of our wonderful Aunt Susan, who I am certain was delighted to see her ancestors who came to collect her.

Have you marveled in nature lately, where would you go?

Xo, Katie