This was supposed to be a two-night trip, but we ended up cutting it short. Had a good time while we were there though. The plan was to start at the front entrance, and hike counter clockwise around the Rock Creek Loop. We would camp the first night at the Rock Creek campsite, second night at Rock Bluff, and then hike out on Sunday morning.

The first day went pretty smooth. The only excitement was the report of a six-foot rattlesnake on the trail up ahead. We hiked very cautiously after hearing about that. This was between the Stone Bridge and the campsite at Rock Creek. We heard something heavy move away from the trail, but I can't say for certain whether it was the snake or not.

We got a few drops of rain during the course of the day. Mostly it was just hot and muggy. Right before bedtime the wind got up, and blew like a hurricane for about twenty minutes. When it stopped, it got very still. The air in the tent was too warm and stifling, so I took the fly off, leaving it guyed and fastened on the side opposite the door in case I had to pull it back over us in a hurry during the night.

I read aloud for a little bit, and then we went to sleep. I woke up several times during the night, and had a lot of trouble getting comfortable. DS slept like a rock. In the morning, though, he was the one who decided he didn't want to stay another night. I offered an alternative that would have had us doing a side trek to tour the Gregory House, and then hiking out to the van. After hiking up the hill to the picnic area, though, he wasn't even up for that. We went down to the Gregory House and got a ranger to give us a lift back to the van.

I was only slightly disappointed at leaving. I've decided that I really prefer cold weather for hiking. It would have been nice to finish what we started, but dragging an unhappy kid around the trail in the heat and humidity just didn't sound like a good time for either of us.

I posted a more detailed (i.e. long-winded) TR here that has pictures with it.

Agreed about the weather, it's been way too humid the past few days, like walking in water. Nice website! You inspired/reminded me to add a new section on websites by folks like yourself ... there aren't many, but I know of a few.

Thanks!

That's a good list of websites. I particularly liked these two:

http://www.floridaadventuring.com/

http://www.whispersofnature.org/

The guy at that second one has some really awesome pictures.

Sounds like it was a fun trip. I can't wait to have kids so I can drag them around on the trail :) We've got another year or two before we even start the discussion though!

Loved the pictures, he's a cute one!

Thanks!

Waiting is good. We were married nine years before we had our first one. This one is the second, and last. :)