Hiking Through The Jungle

Did you know that Tennessee has its very own jungle? Well, it doesn't really but on our most recent hiking adventure we felt like we were hiking through the jungle. The kids even pretended they were Diego going to rescue an animal. (For those that don't know, Diego is Dora the Explorers cousin, with his own show Go Diego Go!)

The hike began by crossing this "swinging" bridge. Some of us walked slow and had to be brave, but we all made it! Once we were across the lake and down the trail a little ways we felt like we had entered a new climate zone.

There were these skinny trees with huge leaves. All of the trees were wet with the morning dew and as the wind blew we were rained upon.

There were bugs flying around us non-stop. At one point when the trail was down by a little stream the humidity was so high that we could see the moisture in the air. We saw many different types of mosses and ferns, and even some red mushrooms. The trail went right through a wildlife logging site. . .

. . . where we were able to see the handy work of some beavers.

Elizabeth was glad when the hike ended, she was tired of shoeing the bugs away. Rachel was very interested in all of the new things we saw. John enjoyed collecting rocks that he could throw into the streams. Sarah loved being the "leader" and eating snacks. Mom & Dad enojyed seeing the kids have such a good time.

I would be a rich lady if I received a nickle for each time one of the kids has asked, "When are we going to go hiking again?"