A Semper Fi Marriage: Cherokee National Forest

For the second year running we spent Labor Day camping with the McMurphy's. Last year it was Pilot Mountain in NC and this year was Cherokee National Forest in TN. We had a wonderful time visiting with our friends and relaxing in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

We hit up Checkers on our way out Thursday evening since we had Daisy and could east outside

We drove part of the way Thursday night and spent the night in a hotel about halfway. Daisy wasn't quite sure what to make of her first night away from home, but she slept well once she settled down. We arrived at our campsite Friday afternoon and were thankful that it was a 4 day holiday for us (thank you USMC).

We tied a long rope on two trees and created a run for Daisy. We hooked her leash to the rope with a carabiner and she enjoyed the freedom to move around our campsite at her leisure.

Daisy attach to her run, but enjoying the softness of her bed

So regal

She can swim!

The beautiful lake

We really didn't know there was water this blue in the continental US

Saturday Leandi and Kevin arrived and we spent the afternoon just hanging out and being lazy. Sunday we planned to go on a 5-mile hike. The 5-hour hike which was supposed to be a loop, turned into 7 hours of us getting slightly lost and just turning around. If we had tried to make a loop we would probably still be walking because we didn't start where we thought we had and it was a much longer "loop" if you didn't want to retrace your steps. Once we were back to the cars and eating lunch (we were so hungry) it didn't seem as bad.