We did a short overnight at Turkey Pen. It was 3 miles in and 3 miles out. We parked at Turkey Pen Trail Head (the bold TH). We hiked in along the ridge line (trail number 131) and camped on a ridge to river connector trail (Wagon Gap Trail, number 137). We hiked out along the river (number 121) and had to ford the river where the suspension bridge was washed out, just after we got off Wagon Gap Trail.
At the trailhead, Aeden was still asleep in the car...
The majority of the first hour was uphill, until we finally crested the first mountain. From there the ridge line undulated. Here's a shot of Cathy, on that initial hour long climb, just before we got to the top of Sharpy Mountain.
Once we turned off the ridge and started down, Aeden pointed out this "octopus" tree.
Here's a shot of Daddy and Aeden, just past the tree.
As the trail descended, the forest was populated with glades of ferns.
We were thankful for the first campsite... Aeden + pack = way too much load ;-). Here Aeden helps to set up the tent.
Then we got the fire started to boil some water... it was just too much to bring the stove too.
Aeden helps blow the embers into flames.
This was an old, odd twisted tree in the campsite.
Here's tent's set up and we're ready to get some sleep.
The next day, Aeden and Mommy discover's a snail.
After the snail we came to the bridge... and I was able to coax Aeden from his safe harbor in the pack to walk along the trail... both I and my aching back were thankful. Too bad the trail wasn't just one long suspension bridge.
We encoutered this guy on the final climb out. He (well she, since she had a rather large egg sack) was huge, probably over 2 inches across. I would have used my hand for perspective... but I wasn't that brave.
Aeden, all smiles while everyone is downstrairs running around the multi-roomed tent.
Nirbhay plays withHummer, while in the background Tucker checks out the toys.
Rachel, Karen, Griffin and Aeden.
Brooks and Mia.
Griffin, caught in action.
Nirbhay getting ready to throw.
Aeden, sneaking a lick of frosting.
Mia, with her hands full.
Griffin and Nirbhay play with the Hummer.
Rachel, throwing the frisbee.
Mia, still in the tent.
Chris and Mia.
Kalpesh and Griffin play catch.
Chris and Mia enjoying the tent.
Just couldn't get Chris out of there.
Griffin, Nirbhay, and Kalpesh playing monkey in the middle.
This is Michael trying to put water on Aeden's head. Needless to say Aeden's being a little shy about this.
