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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

C is for Camping

    Summers meant camping to our family.  There were several places we liked to go but our favorite was Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee.    One particular trip especially stands out among favorite memories.  Let me tell you why.
Me, Tina, Brenda & Dian

     Mom always let me take one of my friends with me on our vacations.  This trip I was taking my friend Dian.  We were camping up in the mountains in one of the park campgrounds.   Mom, Dad along with sisters Brenda and Tina would stay in the tent and Dian and I would sleep in the back of the station wagon.
Mom with Station Wagon

     We had a beautiful campsite, right beside the babbling creek that flowed down the mountain.  The Smokies were my favorite place in the whole world because I loved hiking the trails up to Clingmans Dome and other neat spots.  Then for some real fun we could go down to Gatlinburg and shop in all the unique little shops.  We always rode the sky lift that took us up for the best view of the scenery below us.  There was never a dull moment.

     Following a day full of fun and adventure, we all settled in for a good night's sleep.  Of course, left on our own in the station wagon, Dian and I talked and laughed until very late.  We were sleeping sound until around daybreak when we were both startled by noises outside.  Raising up to see what was going on we both got suddenly silent as we looked at each other.  We didn't know whether to stay quiet or scream, but quickly decided being quiet was the best option.  You see, we were up-close and personal with a big black bear.

     Yes, right out the back window of the car stood a bear.  We froze as he slowly walked around the car.  Luckily, he made no effort to get in.  Making his way through the camp he searched trash cans and anywhere else he thought he might find food.  Not finding any he moved on to the next camp.
Okay, so he looked much bigger standing next to the station wagon!

     Now everyone knows when you go to the Smokey Mountains there is a chance you will see a bear.  But we really didn't plan on getting that close to one.  If we had rolled down the window we could have touched him.

     Bear and all it was a great camping trip.  Dian and I had a wonderful time together and I will always treasure that time with her.  A few years ago Dian died of cancer.  Rather than dwell on that, I prefer to remember the fun times we had as teenagers and tell of  the time we survived our meeting with a black bear.

Until next time...that's my view.
Kat


    

17 comments:

  1. I remember the old station wagon! On long trips I just played with all my toys in the back. Not like my kids who are strapped down.

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    1. I know what you mean. We want to keep our kids safe but it sure was more fun back in the old days!

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  2. Sounds fun, especially when you get to take a friend along. Nice story, Kat.

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    1. We did always have fun on our family vacations. Mom and Dad were really good that way.

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  3. Great memories! If the weather was better here in the UK, I might have liked camping. As it was camping to me just has memories of always being wet!

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    1. I agree its not much fun when it's raining but is was a lot of fun otherwise.

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  4. wonderful blog. Very descriptive. I felt like i was right there in the car with you and Dian. I would love to visit there one day. I have heard it is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing

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    1. Thank you Jenni. I appreciate your kind words. It is a lovely place and still one of my favorite places on earth.

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  5. I agree! I could almost hear the bugs buzzing around my ears! Nice job!

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    1. Thank you Amy, that's probably just one of the kids playing airplane! :D

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  6. YIKES, I was pretty naive when I first moved back to Montana. Wildlife was a bit of an unknown. We were picnicking up in Glacier National Forest and this CUTE... and I do mean sooOOOOooOoOoo cute, 3 foot tall bear was about 12 feet away from me, so, I held out my pb&j for him. uHm, it took my father about 3 minutes to pull everything up, and head us home. Evidently where the babies are, momma is not too far behind... who'da thunk??

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    1. Yes, that is usually the way it works. Smart dad. Glad you didn't lose a hand! :D

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  7. What a fun blog post! I have the best memories from camping with my family every weekend when I was a little girl.

    Sorry to hear your friend is no longer here, but I'm glad you have such fun memories with her!

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    1. Thank you TL. So nice of you to stop by and leave a comment. Glad you have some fun memories of camping too.

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  8. I love the Smoky Mountains. Have taken several vacations there and have seen a good many black bears!
    They are cute, but of course, deadly. It's hard to look at those faces and imagine one eating you or just killing you to get your stash, but it happens.

    Great story. ♥

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    1. That is so true Jo. Cute but deadly. The Smokies are still one of my favorite places to go.

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