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The Clowes Family consists of Daddy, Mommy, Stephen, Cameron and Mia and the occasional alligator!

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Fall 2009 Soccer :

Fall 2009 Soccer

Updated: Nov 27, 2009 1:05pm EST

Misc 2009 :

Misc 2009

Updated: Nov 26, 2009 1:14pm EST

Summer Vacation July 2009 - N.C. Mountains : Calendar for the week: Day 1: Check-in (late start due to soccer commitments) - Dinner in Boone on the way in at the Black Cat Burrito. Day 2: The Linn Cove Viaduct hike. This was a short 3.8 mile out and back from the Linn Cove Visitor Center to Ship Rock (and back). Numerous vantage points of the Viaduct and vistas heading east. Simply beautiful. The viaduct is directly beneath Grandfather Mountain. This was selected as a gentle introduction hike but it was quite challenging. Dinner at home. Day 3: Calloway Peak (5,964 ft, the highest peak in the Grandfather range. We parked at the Boone Fork parking lot and headed up the Tanawa to the Boone Scout Trail all the way to the top. There were limited viewing options on the way as the trees blocked the view. This would have been a pretty straight forward hike except for the fact that it was up, up and up the whole way. We lunched at the Hi-Balsam shelter. It was us, our sandwiches, clouds and trees. Then the final push to the top, using a few ladders and we made it! Yeah. The clouds cleared at very points to provide awesome views. Beautiful. Then on the way down we split off the Boone Fork and took the Cragway trail and although much harder offered fantastic views into the Boone Fork bowl. Then with a mile to go (now on the Nuwati Trail) the rain hit and very damp but with our spirits (mostly) high because of our achievements we made it to the van. Not sure how far we did in the end but at least 6 tough miles. Dinner (Pizza) at the Mellow Mushroom. Day 4: Kayaking on the Watauga River. We met our outfitter in Valle Crucis and he led us to the "put out" point down a very dusty and idyllic valley only about 15 mins from Valle Crucis. He then drove us all back up to the "put in". Two doubles and a single kayak provided the transportation. We'd had rain the day before and so the river was a few inches higher. That was good because we still did get stuck occassionally. We had a 2:30 hrs kayak down the river having lunch on a rock island half way through. It was gentle enough and very pretty. The peace was shattered only by Stephen's frustration voicing itself as he managed to select the wrong route again! The "girl team" won (Mommy and Mia), followed very closely by Stephen, A lovely, peaceful few hours with nice scenery. We then relaxed at the Valle Crucis Park. Dinner at home. Day 5: Stephen's 18th Birthday - He opened presents followed by a pancake (yummy) breakfast. Then we headed out. The Boone Fork Trail (4.9 miles). We did this last year without Stephen and we wanted him to see it. It's relatively flat compared to the other hikes but it's a nice hike through a bit of everything from the campgrounds (not so nice), to open meadows, to the usual high mountain forest to bouldering along the Boone Fork river (a powerful stream at this point). Last year we considered this our most major accomplishment. This year I'm afraid it pales in comparison. Dinner at Sorrento's in Banner Elk. Day 6: Harper Creek Falls & Linville Falls. This was our "waterfall" day. We headed first to a relatively unknown area known as the Wilson Creek "Wilderness" area. I can see why! After leaving the Blue Ridge Parkway, we ventured on gravel roads for about 30 minutes into nowhere! Ironically we passed three maintenance vehicles working on the roads (kinda ironic) and 1 regular vehicle. We parked at the Harper Creek Trail head and ventured in. It was a much warmer, sticky day. Probably because it was genuinely warmer and also because we were lower down. Anyway, the hike was just 3 miles roundtrip and the reward was worth it. The Harper Creek Falls are the tallest waterfalls in N.C. according to the guidebooks. It's not a "high" volume waterfall like Linville but it was fantastic. There weren't many views on the hike itself but when we stepped out at the top of the waterfall the view was awesome. Wild, very wild and beautiful. We then hiked down to the bottom for lunch on the rocks in the middle of the river. Then as we left we encountered some adventure. Stephen scampered over the rocks to the base of the Falls and all of sudden we heard a cry and I've never seen him move so quickly. He almost stepped on a huge snake. He first described it as an "anaconda" but I think that's a case of the "fish being sooooo big". But seriously there are snakes in N.C. and some big ones too (including copperheads and rattle snakes). After his heartbeat returned to normal we jumped from our island lunch spot back over rocks to the bank, only to find a copperhead (yes, venemous) in our way. After some hesitation we found a route passed the curious snake and headed on our way back. We came across 2 more snakes (black/rat snakes?) on the hike out. We were pleased to reach the car unscathed. Then after another lengthy drive out of the wilderness area we went to Linville and took the "easy" stroll on the other side of the river. We've been to Linville a few times but we've never down the easy side. Anyway we saw a different perspective and the views were great. Ice-cream at Kilwins, followed by dinner at home. Day 7: Grandfather Mountain. We couldn't let the trip go back without a trip to Grandfather itself. We parked in the lower parking lot as usual and did the short hike to the swinging bridge. The views are fabulous. From there, we jumped "the trail is closed" sign and headed on the Grandfather Trail towards McCrae Peak and the infamous ladders. Last year we did one "thrilling" ladder on the Underwood Trail. That time we turned around well in advance of McCrae. This time we thought we'd take the Grandfather Trail all the way to McCrae. After the split with Underwood, we headed up and UP and UP. It was really tough and then came the ladders. At one point there are about 4 in a row. We made to the 3rd and then ... it was time to turn around. Just a little too precarious for a 7 and 5 year old and even made me a little extra careful. The kids and Mom waited at the bottom of the ladders and lunched, while Stephen and Dad clambered up the last section. Even beyond the ladders it was a little challenging. The fact that there's a few hundred feet drop on one side and the trail goes right along the edge only confirmed that we'd made the right decision to have the kids wait at "base" camp. Anyway, Stephen and Dad made. The reward was even better views and a sense of accomplishment. We returned to Mom, Cameron and Mia and then hiked the return route to the parking lot. A strenuous hike with great views. Day 8: After some cleaning we headed to Blowing Rock to the outlet shops to make a few purchases. Lunch at Kotay's, dessert at Kilwins and then the drive home. Another enjoyable, adventure for the Clowes Family.....

Summer Vacation July 2009 - N.C. Mountains

Calendar for the week: Day 1: Check-in (late start due to soccer comm ...

Updated: Jul 25, 2009 1:05am EST

Stephen's High School Graduation :

Stephen's High School Graduation

Updated: Jun 13, 2009 11:27am EST

Birthday Party 2009 (Mia & Birthday)

Updated: Jun 11, 2009 7:58pm EST

Cameron - Soccer Fall 2008 :

Cameron - Soccer Fall 2008

Updated: Jun 11, 2009 7:54pm EST

Soccer :

Soccer

Updated: Jun 11, 2009 7:13pm EST

Pre-School Mia :

Pre-School Mia

Updated: Jun 11, 2009 8:40am EST

Cameron - 1st Grade : AB Combs Mrs Cline, Mrs Privette

Cameron - 1st Grade

AB Combs Mrs Cline, Mrs Privette

Updated: Mar 11, 2009 12:09pm EST

Christmas 2008 : Christmas 2008. We awoke just after 7:00am. Cameron was up first. Santa had been, yahoo.... A balmy day in the high 60's. A little damp at first but dry enough to play soccer and skate by late morning. Nana, Uncle Bobby and Sean came to spend the day with us. A lovely day. Chrismas lunch was risotto and southwestern patties. Appetizers were brie and crackers and dessert consisted of an assortment of items. Yummy. No-one went to be hungry.

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008. We awoke just after 7:00am. Cameron was up first. Sant ...

Updated: Jan 01, 2009 8:48am EST

Misc 08 :

Misc 08

Updated: Nov 27, 2008 12:33pm EST

Summer Vacation (Valle Crucis, NC - July 2008) :

Summer Vacation (Valle Crucis, NC - July 2008)

Updated: Aug 07, 2008 8:01pm EST

2008 :

2008

Updated: Jul 17, 2008 7:49am EST

Swim 08 :

Swim 08

Updated: Jun 15, 2008 9:36am EST

Cameron's 6th Birthday :

Cameron's 6th Birthday

Updated: Jun 03, 2008 1:42am EST

Cameron - Soccer Spring 08 :

Cameron - Soccer Spring 08

Updated: Jun 02, 2008 9:41pm EST

Cameron - K :

Cameron - K

Updated: May 30, 2008 9:18pm EST

Kindergarten - Cameron :

Kindergarten - Cameron

Updated: Apr 26, 2008 7:49am EST

Backyard Soccer : Future Beckhams at play battling an ex-super-star

Backyard Soccer

Future Beckhams at play battling an ex-super-star

Updated: Jan 27, 2008 9:16am EST

Video Clips :

Video Clips

Updated: Dec 15, 2007 4:30pm EST

Christmas 2007 :

Christmas 2007

Updated: Dec 15, 2007 2:58pm EST

Misc 07 :

Misc 07

Updated: Nov 26, 2007 8:58pm EST

My Smug Mug :

My Smug Mug

Updated: Nov 23, 2007 12:23pm EST

Umstead Park - Nov 07 : A hike with Nanny and the kids to Umstead Park. Lovely day...

Umstead Park - Nov 07

A hike with Nanny and the kids to Umstead Park. Lovely day...

Updated: Nov 10, 2007 6:16pm EST

Cary Band Day - Oct 07 : A lovely morning watching 10 bands march through downtown Cary. The kids loved it!

Cary Band Day - Oct 07

A lovely morning watching 10 bands march through downtown Cary. The ki ...

Updated: Nov 10, 2007 3:07pm EST

Misc 06 :

Misc 06

Updated: Nov 10, 2007 8:27am EST

Halloween 06 : The brave Knight and the iddy biddy bunny!

Halloween 06

The brave Knight and the iddy biddy bunny!

Updated: Nov 10, 2007 7:52am EST

Halloween 07 :

Halloween 07

Updated: Nov 10, 2007 1:02am EST

Adventures : The American Tobacco Trail

Adventures

The American Tobacco Trail

Updated: Nov 09, 2007 9:46pm EST

Misc - Oct 07 :

Misc - Oct 07

Updated: Nov 09, 2007 6:08pm EST

Zoo - Oct 07 :

Zoo - Oct 07

Updated: Nov 06, 2007 9:37am EST

Clowes Family :

Clowes Family

Updated: Nov 02, 2007 11:37pm EST