John and I took Friday off and went backpacking with his son Lee. We selected campsite 17 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park based on the fact that we could go in via Abrams Creek Ranger station and miss the October "fall colors" traffic in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We also wanted an easy hike (3.5 miles each way) and a large campground cause this is a popular time to camp.

John planned and executed quite a feast for us including fajitas and his lastest creation "Manna from Heaven." He got the basics for the dessert from a backpacker we met on our trip to Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park in September. The ingredients include melted Hershey's chocolate and tortilla shells but John added marshmellows to the mix. Oh so rich!

Lee built and tended a great fire out of some really wet wood. We had a pleasant evening sitting by the fire, no fleece needed. The temperature remained in the 50's and the humidity was a bit high for a comfortable night's sleep but somehow we managed!

All in all, we had a really good time!

Campsite 17

Abrams Creek

John and Lee enjoying a moment

Lee, looking more and more like his dad

Fall has arrived in the Great Smoky Mountains

The fire that Lee built

John's latest backpack creation "Manna from Heaven," chocolate and marshmellows melting in the pan