Day 1

We left home around 10 am. We stopped in East Ellijay at a BBQ spot, Pooles BBQ, to have lunch and then we headed to Ingles to get some groceries. We arrived to the cabin right at check-in time (4:00 pm). We went to check out the house and all the bed arrangements to pick the best for those with the young kiddos.

There are 3 king suites in the cabin (The Boujee Buffalo) and a huge 1,200 square foot game room. One of the king suites is above the game room and the other two are in the main house.

My sister in laws and their families took the two king suites in the main house and my hubby and I took the king suite above the game room in the separate building.

Day 2

We woke up and had breakfast and headed to Vogel State Park. We hiked to the waterfall and then some of the littles swam a little bit. After that we rode paddle boats and then headed back to the cabin for dinner. We had lasagna for 16 people. We had 10 staying in our cabin and 6 in the other. Cooking for that many can be challenging, but two pans of lasagna did the trick. We had plenty of leftovers too.

Day 3

We woke up and had breakfast and headed toward Wildwater LTD in Bryson City, NC for white water rafting on the Nantahala River. The water was so cold, but we had a great time. We almost lost our raft guide in the last rapid. Only 8 of the 16 went, so those that stayed home tended two Boston butts in the oven. We headed back and had Boston butt with rice and beans for dinner.

Day 4

Another day, some more biscuits for breakfast. We took the kids gem mining at Aska Mining Company. Caelan found the biggest gem to date. Ca

The Aska Mining Company is right across from the Shallowford Bridge.

Then we went tubing on the Toccoa. We tubed at Toccoa Valley Campground on Aska Road. They provide tubes and/or rafts and life jackets. At the end of the run, they drove us back to to the campground where we parked our cars.

I forgot the go-pro in the car so we have no photos from on the river. After tubing, I rushed home to get dinner ready, because we were all starved! We had left over Boston butt and I threw together some pico to make pork tacos. They were delicious!

After dinner we had a camp fire and roasted S’mores. The kids had a blast and of course made a huge marshmallow mess.

After s’mores we said our goodbyes because 6 of our party had to head home the next morning, so we were down to a party of 10.

Day 5

We woke up casually, had breakfast and then 6 of us headed towards Benton Falls. The route led right along the Ocoee, so we got to enjoy watching the rafters and kayakers.

On the route up Chilhowee Mountain there are many overlooks that have beautiful views. Chilhowee Overlook is just one to mention! They are all must stops!

The hike in to Benton Falls is pretty flat and easy. It’s about 1 1/2 miles to the top of the stairs that led down to the falls. The hike on the stairs is a little more challenging but very doable. The water level was low, but we still got to get wet in the COLD falls!

We returned home and had Chicken Satay with basmati rice and roasted broccoli for dinner.

Day 6

Another day, some more breakfast of biscuits and bacon. Rain was in the forecast, so we tried to get everyone moving early, but to no avail. We headed to Lily Pad Village for the kids to fish.

We got rained out there pretty quickly. We tried to fish with umbrellas, but the kids weren’t having it, so we decided to head to Bear Claw Vineyards to hang out.

Bear Claw is kid and dog friendly. There are board games, corn hole, and a creek to wade and splash in. There is also a gift shop that we bought coloring books and crayons for the kids.

After the vineyard, we went to grab some lunch and do some shopping in downtown Blue Ridge.

The we headed back to the cabin and grilled steaks and baked potatoes. My uncle Steve came to visit and eat dinner with us. We had a very nice visit. After he left, I started cleaning up, packing and getting ready for our Saturday morning checkout.

Day 7

We woke up, cleaned up around the house, packed and then everyone headed home. On the way south, we stopped for lunch at Pooles BBQ again.

Until our next adventure

XOXO

-S