Hiking With Friends, A Photo Series

by Going Slowly

This weekend, we drove down to Tennessee for what we've decided will be our first annual-autumn-weekend-hangout with our friends Pete, Natasha, Jess and Nick. Shortly after our arrival, we hit the road from Knoxville for a two-hour drive to Big South Fork National Recreational area. A photo series of our overnight hike in the reserve begins below:

After some orienteering, we took to the woods:

Pete & Map of Big South Fork National River Recreation AreaPete & Map of Big South Fork National River Recreation Area Sawmill Trailhead SignSawmill Trailhead Sign Natasha & Jess HikingNatasha & Jess Hiking Trail MarkerTrail Marker Tara HikingTara Hiking Tyler HikingTyler Hiking Tara's FeetTara's Feet

…admiring the scenery along the way.

Nick Taking PhotosNick Taking Photos Forest Fruit (Macro)Forest Fruit (Macro) Moss (Macro)Moss (Macro) Tyler with BUG!Tyler with BUG! Big South Fork National River Recreation AreaBig South Fork National River Recreation Area Trees & Rock FormationsTrees & Rock Formations

Some hours later, we arrived at camp, with three filthy, dog-tired puppies:

Sleepy MaltaSleepy Malta Sleepy MaltaSleepy Malta LilaLila FitzFitz Fitz & Malta EatingFitz & Malta Eating Sleepy FitzSleepy Fitz Lilia Helping Wash DishesLilia Helping Wash Dishes

We collected some firewood:

Jess & Tyler Attempt to Split Green WoodJess & Tyler Attempt to Split Green Wood Tyler's Wood-Splitting TechniqueTyler's Wood-Splitting Technique Tyler's Wood-Splitting TechniqueTyler's Wood-Splitting Technique Happy Tyler with Split WoodHappy Tyler with Split Wood Natasha Gathering WoodNatasha Gathering Wood Nick Feeding the FireNick Feeding the Fire

…and made ourselves at home:

CampsiteCampsite Natasha Lounging on the HammockNatasha Lounging on the Hammock Pete Pouring WaterPete Pouring Water Smiling NickSmiling Nick Cooking BreakfastCooking Breakfast Pete in the MorningPete in the Morning Natasha & Jess in the MorningNatasha & Jess in the Morning

When night fell, we stared into the fire, drinking wine, and talking about life, the universe, and everything in between.

Nick, Lila, and Jess by the FireNick, Lila, and Jess by the Fire Pete by the FirePete by the Fire Pete Behind the FirePete Behind the Fire

The following morning, we returned to civilization:

Happy Campers Piled in the Car (Tyler, Tara, Fitz, Natasha, Lila, Jess, Malta, Nick, Pete)Happy Campers Piled in the Car (Tyler, Tara, Fitz, Natasha, Lila, Jess, Malta, Nick, Pete)

The End!

Thank you Jess, Nick, Natasha, and Pete! Most of our happiest memories involve being in the great outdoors with friends and fires and woodsmoke under the stars. This weekend was a prime example! It was wonderful to see you all—we can't wait for next year. Love you guys. Move to Vermont. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO.

2 comments

I see that you really had a great time outside. I even envy you a little. see, I'm from eastern europe and those signs on the trees in the forest completely shocked me))) I mean, I can easily get lost in the street of some town, needless to say that signs for orientation in the forest look completely futuristic for me) Moreover, our forests are not safe, cause even nowadays people come across some old remains of World WarII shells now and then( You are lucky to have such nice parks!

Posted by AnnaS. on Monday, February 27th, 2012 at 9:10 AM

Hi, Anna! We are indeed lucky to have such nice parks-- thank you for reminding us of this fact. I have to admit though, we loved eastern Europe, and we miss it! We found some of our very favorite free-camps in Serbia and Romania. :-)

Posted by Tara on Sunday, March 4th, 2012 at 9:38 AM
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