As I mentioned in Monday's post, Lonnie and I went on an overnight camping trip for his birthday. We decided the best camping method for us was to drive around Pisgah National Forest and park at one of their several roadside camping areas, which meant that we wouldn't be in a campground, but we also didn't have to hike to get to our tent-pad and fire pit. We ended up finding a really good spot, with enough space to park the car off the road closer to the tent. The site was close to a babbling creek, which we later found out was more than likely a part of a larger river that we could easily access by driving a few minutes down the road. Our site also had a trail we could hike, and there were plenty of other trails nearby.

S'mores were assembled and eaten, and hotdogs were grilled over the fire. The weather the whole trip was some of the most gorgeous we've had all summer. Yellow monarch butterflies breezed by as we set up camp and gathered firewood. At night, fireflies started to appear one-by-one and the stars tagged along. The main focus of the trip was to get away from the city and the traffic and the people, and in that sense it was a total success. Time passed without knowing what hour it was. We didn't have any service, so the only photos I took were on my camera and none were shared on Instagram. Instead, we shared quiet moments together, listening to the stream and the cicadas.

Looking back, this little camping trip highlighted that sticky-sweet deep summertime feeling that really only lives in the tail-end of the season, and I'm so thankful for that. Living in the mountains for this past summer has been very different than the others I've known growing up, the ones spent at the beach and by the pool. This summer has felt less like a big long vacation and more like summer camp, especially with it being my first summer not living at home. None of this is bad, especially considering that I never went to summer camp as a kid. Overall, I'm thankful for the ways that I've grown, been bit by the adventure bug, and gained independence, and this little weekend getaway was just what I needed to take the time to reflect on those things.

camping trip part 4.

This is the final set of pictures from the camping trip. We stopped at a nearby country store to buy supplies for s'mores. I love s'mores. The end.

camping trip part 2.

My dad, brother, and boyfriend hiked Mount Mitchell while my sister, mom, and I went to the state park. It rained. A lot.

We were so high up that we were literally in a cloud, so we couldn't see anything except for Elisha Mitchell's tomb at the summit. We went inside the park's museum to avoid the rain which is what we always tend to do.

camping trip part 1.

I'm still in shock that I live here. Asheville is beyond beautiful. My family came up for Labor Day weekend and we went camping. I took so many pictures that I have to separate this post into 4 separate ones. I don't have much to say so I'm going to just let the pictures speak for themselves.

spring renewal

Spring Break is here and it could not have came at a better time. This week, so far, has been spent with a great deal of much needed relaxation and renewal. With the yearbook finally completed and the deadline for the AP Art portfolio swiftly approaching, it is needless to say that I am in desperate need of a break.

 To kick things in to high gear, Lonnie and I took a spontaneous trip to Morrow Mountain to camp. Moriah and Samm joined us.

(.....for the record, I have repainted my nails since this. I promise.)

It was one of our better ideas. We drank peach cider and cooked some hot dogs over a campfire. It was really cold during the night and we weren't there for very long, but it was nice to run away for a while.

Keeping up with the whole spontaneity theme, Lonnie stopped at Cline's Antiques during our trip home. We spent a good couple of hours exploring.

Moriah was unable to buy that guitar after carrying it around for the majority of the time we were there but managed to take home those super cool glasses.

So to sum up my break so far, I have stayed busy tanning, reading, running all over town with Lonnie(which has resulted in the purchase of the small glass container for 49 cents at Salvation Army, pictured above), eating fast food, finally seeing The Hunger Games with Samm (I am so late to that whole party), camping, attending my first fish fry (!!!!), drinking peach tea, working out, watching HGTV late at night (whyyy), sleeping, and drawing inspiration from my new Pinterest.

I was very hesitant about getting one. I told myself that I have taken up enough space on the internet and on top of all the other websites I have been a slave to over the years, I did not need another one. However, I'm glad I caved. I need a little organization in my life and this is the perfect place to do it. It's an online inspiration board. An extension of my sketchbook. A place to keep bookmarks organized. A place where I can categorize and find exactly what I'm looking for at a glance. Really not a bad thing at all.

Or so I keep telling myself. Thus concludes my Pinterest rant.

The rest of my week will consist of the same listed above, as well as painting and going to Asheville on Friday for Admitted Students Day.