Swamp Rabbit Sunday

Today we loaded up the bikes and set out to explore the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The Swamp Rabbit is a rail to trail conversion that runs for 20 miles through Greenville and up to Travelers Rest. This has been on my list of to-do's since we arrived in Greenville. The balmy 65 degree weather was just what we needed to get out and explore today. We only explored 5.5 miles of trail today, but I am certain we will back to explore more in the days to come.

We didn't see George today.

Here's what most of the trail looked like. This was an old railway, and the grades were generally pretty easy.

The boys enjoyed peering at the falls from the suspension bridge. These falls are close to the center of downtown Greenville.

Here's another view of the falls.

 We enjoyed lunch in a park near the falls.

We found this F-86 Sabre Jet on display along the path.

 Here's Jack doing his best sleeping Cheetah impersonation. Wild Kratts has really made an impression on this one.

 No Train Left Behind

Bonus Round: We returned home with our tree for this Christmas Season!

Star Student

DuPont State Forest

We hiked five miles in DuPont State Forest today. What a beautiful area of the country. John printed a map of the area for Jack. 

Jack spent the first half of the hike pretty obsessed with the map. 

He comes by that naturally. John had the map saved on his phone. 

We walked through this beautiful covered bridge. 

Luke saw a caterpillar and watched him cross the path.

We hiked up this huge hill and were rewarded with this beautiful lake.

We saw High Falls. 

When I read this sign to Luke, he was pretty hopeful that he would see a logging truck and a feller buncher. He saw the truck but no buncher. 

Paris Mountain State Park

We went for a hike in Paris Mountain State Park this afternoon. There are all sorts of mountain biking trails out there, and John wanted to walk some of the trails to see if they were appropriate for Jack to bike with him. It won't be long at all until John and Jack have a biking adventure out there. It's stunning.

More Birthday

 We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Luke's 4th birthday with the Seatons. Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Annie, Aunt Betsy, and Uncle Eric all came out. Between the visitors, the callers, and the facetimers, Luke has to know how loved he is. Thanks to all of you.

Luke Is Four!

Yesterday was Luke's 4th birthday. He is a constant source of amusement in our family. Here's a little interview I did with Luke: 

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Animal: All of them... Winston

What he wants to do when he grows up: Just play with his toys and pet his dog.

Favorite Book: All of them (Mom note: We read Read to Tiger tonight, and I think that is probably Luke's new favorite.)

Favorite Movie: 20 Trucks, Mighty Machines, and Toy Story

Favorite Song: The Runaway Pancake

Favorite Game: Diggity Dog

Favorite Thing To Do With Mommy: Build Duplo Houses

Favorite Thing To Do With Dad: Legos

Favorite Thing To Do With Jack- Army Men

Cedar Falls

The week we moved here, Jack's kindergarten class was finishing a mapping unit with a discussion about some local points of interest. So for over a month now we have been hearing about how much Jack would like to visit Cedar Falls. Today was the day. This little gem is about ten minutes from our house.