The Munce Family: Munstream.Advenutes Smoky Mountain Adventure part 2

We had a nice and easy 3-4 hour drive on Monday and arrived at Land Between the Lakes, KY/TN. This is one the of most beautiful places located on the boarder of KY and TN, the land is serene and every campsite is stellar. After a complicated parking spot, we meandered around and spotted dear and other wildlife, we decided to find the beach for the kids which turned out to be the best decision. There was a break in the rain and the water at the beach was absolutely still and warm and the kids were in heaven. Dave and I enjoyed a few minutes of relaxation while the kids swam and played. After a solid hour, we hustled back as the rain resumed. We had an airstream dinner, microwave mac and cheese for the kids, and sausages in the microwave for us, a change of gears, but it was easy and it worked. It rained hard that evening, and we all slept like rocks.

We hit the road again the next mooning and made our way all the way to Johnson's Shut Ins in Missouri where we met Stacy and her kids. We had a great evening by the fire, the kids played and biked and explored, we had the whole works on the campfire for dinner, it was fun to really do it up right with the Winters kids with us. This was a big highlight for us, we had planned this rendezvous for months. Some of the boys slept in the tent while most of the girls stayed in the camper, it rained, but it didn't stop the fun. We went to the Shut In's the following day and had fun exploring and meandering on the rocks, we came back for lunch and then packed up before visiting Elephant Rocks State Park. The kids climbed and explored and moved nonstop. We made it to the Dunn's bunkhouse for dinner, we followed the winding roads, and braved the gravel bridges and dips and tight curves, I'm certain there were a few occasions when Dave and I collectively held our breath, but in the end, we arrived safely.

The bunkhouse was a treat, a hot meal was waiting, beds for each of us to spread out, patio conversations, a day at the river where the kids explored, swam, snacked, skipped rocks, floated and were simply kids. How fortunate we are to have this agenda...this life! Our kids get along with the Winters kids so well, everyone truly loves one another and they make it so easy. The Dunn's are so welcoming and are absolutely the hosts with the most love and servant hearts. We were all sad to say goodbye, but are excited for another visit with them later this summer.

We had debated how to spend our last evening as it was more of a stay over rather than an intentional spot to be. After some deliberation, we landed up on Pony Express in Missouri, it wasn't what I had in mind. The campground was full, the restaurant was so so, and we met these kids, Blue River and August, who the kids played with for a while, they showed them the zip line and their stray bunny, Wags. But it was hot and I was ready to be home, so we called it an early night and watched a movie in the airstream, which is a great option when the mood calls for it. We were all set for an early departure when the jack malfunctioned, causing some panic, owners manual reviews, and a youtube search and finally, were home by 5pm. We did it!

We had a great adventure, only a few hiccups, but we learned as we went and managed to work well as a family team. The kids absolutely love the camping adventure, maybe not the daily hikes that sometimes get too long, but they hang in there, its amazing what an impromptu camp song/chant can do for one's mood. We have more on the calendar, but for now, its time to unload and settle in for Summer. The Airstream is a perfect fit for our family.

Feel free to follow along on instagram at munstream.advenutre :).