We traded turkey and pumpkin pie for hiking boots and backpacks and we took a trip to Pisgah National Forest for Thanksgiving. We made this decision after realizing that Dan would be working sandwich days Wed and Friday and as a result, it would be difficult to have company. We also realized that we needed a break! Dan has been working a lot and I've been cooped up inside with Ari so a mountain trip was necessary!
First, there was a lot of this: sleeping! Grateful for the time away, we were able to talk and reconnect about the past year and the coming year. We played a few games and laughed at our silliness. We also planned our future and dreamt big about jobs, mountain homes and vacations.
We hiked Mt. Pisgah which is named after the Biblical Mount from which Moses first saw the promised land. The peak gave some amazing views (though dead trees) of Western North Carolina (including Cold Mountain!). 
Dan wore Ari for the first part but she is 20 pounds now and it was very difficult to carry her. We will definitely be investing in a more rugged back-pack baby carrier if we decide to take longer hikes! She loved it, she clapped and squealed and waved at all the 'gaaahs' (dogs) that we saw on the trail.
Though it was a sunny 50 degrees, we knew the top would be windy and possibly chilly so I purchased a Russian-inspired fur hat and Ari wore it proudly. She was super cute but didn't love it the whole time. 
Right inside the "Cradle of Forestry" of Pisgah is Looking Glass Falls, a large waterfall that we've always passed but never stopped. We stopped this time and really enjoyed the majestic beauty of such a large waterfall. (This picture is up at the top and we went down to get closer and get sprayed by the fall). Though we missed our families and sweet potato praline, we really enjoyed our mini-break from our busy life. Special thanks to Mitch for his generous hotel rewards. Ari slept well in the bathroom (in the pack-n-play!) and we were grateful for a warm dry place to sleep!
