We have developed a bit of a family tradition of getting out into nature for a couple of days over our kids' Spring Break (free entertainment!), but this year work schedules were going to make it a challenge. So the question was - where can we get away where it feels like we're really away, even though it's only for a day and a couple of nights? We settled on staying in Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 4 and a half hours from us, then spending a day hiking in Alabama and Georgia, since AJ had never been to Georgia, and only Matt had ever been to Alabama. So we could cross some states off our list! On Monday afternoon, after Matt had wrapped up some things at work, we headed down I-75.
DeSoto State Park (Alabama):
Our first stop of our hiking day was DeSoto Falls in Alabama.
The falls (and the park) were named after the Spanish conquistador, Hernando DeSoto.
Everyone agreed it would be awesome to own that cabin directly across from the falls.
Heading off to explore some trails in the DeSoto State Park
Azalea Cascade
Chloe
Essie
Mom
Lost Falls
Ah, the relaxing sounds of a waterfall
The girls desperately wanted to get their hands under the falls.
Chloe
Mom & Dad
AJ
Essie
Laurel Falls
Chloe
Essie
AJ
Mom
Essie - very excited to get behind the waterfall
Chloe found a nice place to perch.
Chloe's dream come true - a climbing tree on top of a climbing rock
Essie striking her new favorite pose, apparently
Mom & Dad
Chloe's stone sofa
Indian Falls - located about 20 feet from the sewage treatment plant. Not especially pleasant.
Lodge Falls
Two happy girls
Hiking works up an appetite for Essie - lunch at the DeSoto Park Lodge
Little River Canyon (Alabama):
Little River Falls
We hiked on down the canyon a bit to spend some time climbing over river rocks:
Mom decided to relax a bit in the sun.
AJ shows off his jumping prowess.
Dad & Essie selfie
Chloe got a bit tangled up on this rock climb.
Sibs
We were driving along the rim of the canyon when WHAM! suddenly this was in the way.
Also, there were a bunch of other cool roadside rocks to explore.
Essie
Chloe
Essie
Chloe
AJ
Mom & Dad are fine posing here on the ground, thanks.
Little River Canyon from an overlook
Grace's High Falls - Chloe Grace says, "Named after me!"
View of the canyon from Eberhart Overlook
Mom & Dad
Cloudland Canyon State Park (Georgia):
We were pretty worn out from all our hiking in Alabama, but we decided to stop off at Cloudland Canyon in Georgia and at least walk around the rim of the canyon for the views.
Family selfie that would've been better with Mom's selfie stick...which was in Kentucky.
After a full day of outdoor activity, we found this awesome little BBQ at the foot of the mountain. That day we ate breakfast in Tennessee, lunch in Alabama, and supper in Georgia!
Chloe was pumped for her hot dog - wrapped in bacon and deep-fried.
Lookout Mountain (Tennessee):
Before heading back to Kentucky, we drove up to the top of Lookout Mountain.
We spent some time walking around Point Park and learning about the Battles for Chickamauga and Chattanooga in the Civil War.
Overlooking Chattanooga
Essie is firing down on Chattanooga.
Chloe had to get in on the action.
And now we're in tandem.
AJ was glad to participate if he could fire on his sister.
Military monument
Cannons over Chattanooga
Panoramic of Moccasin Bend
Climbing rocks on the west side of the mountain
Mural of the "Battle Above the Clouds" for Lookout Mountain
Now, time to point our wagons north and get back to the grind. :-(
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