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We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.

My dress smells of campfire smoke, my hair is tangled by the wind, and my boots are caked with mud. And I couldn’t be more content. We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.

We arrived in the Bandy Creek Campground Friday evening. We are celebrating a friend’s birthday, so we have two adjacent camp sites for a weekend of delight. We are extra excited because Duluth Trading Company sent us some new wardrobe additions to try out. So, we are taking a break from the same old plaid we have been wearing in exchange for some fresh new plaid. Yup, we are still dressing like our rugged, outdoorsy selves. After all, that’s kind of what Duluth Trading Company specializes in.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
Can we talk about this dress for a second? It has pockets. So many women’s fashion designers omit pockets to focus on a sleek shape and assume one is carrying a purse. But when you live on the road (or, let’s be honest, when you live a practical life) pockets are a must. I want my phone, keys, and wallet on me wherever I go. Not many light cotton sun dresses have the looks and the utility. So thank you, Duluth Trading Company for some practical design. Also, These boots are perfect for the surprise rain storms of life. Not only are they cute and colorful but the roll up into a handy bag for storage anywhere and easy access. I now keep them in the cab of my truck so I’m always prepared but without the clutter of clunkier rain boots.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
Hiking is all about movement and these Duluthflex Ballroom 5-pocket Jeans include a Crouch Gusset for extra flexibility.

Our First Night Was…Eventful

Lightening is never quite so stunning and thunder so ferocious than when experienced camping. The wind tore past the the canvas table covers and torrential rain sought out every nook and cranny. While one of our friends was sleeping in a tent, we were grateful to curl up in our protected truck bed to go to sleep.

We woke to shouts of “left face!” Our camping neighbors were drilling in the road that looped through the camp ground. Not everyone is following our rigid itinerary of eating, drinking, and occasionally hiking. Nevertheless, now is as good a time as any and we get up. This is one of those occasional hiking times.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
Ok, I may seem pocket obsessed, but this jacket is not only cute but it has dual pockets for your stuff and for your hands. The stuff pockets have snaps to keep your keys and phone from falling out while the hand pockets are soft and easy to access. No more shuffling pocket junk to make room for your hands!

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
I love this scarf! It is so colorful and makes any outfit stand out. I have a lot of clothes with muted tones, so it’s great to add the dash of color, especially on a cold, dreary day. It is now a staple of my wardrobe.

Angel Falls Overlook Trail

Despite the powerful storm that had rocked us to sleep the night before, the morning clouds soon gave way to blue skies. And we were ready to hike along the Angel Falls Overlook Trail. Better yet, rain water from last night had revived the seasonal springs and creeks along the route. We hiked past waterfalls, mossy cliffs, and skirting the awesomely flooded Big South Fork Cumberland River. Fortunately, I packed a pair of rain boots. They roll up into a small bag, and easily fits into my small hiking backpack with a couple bottles of water.

When the trail eventually cut away from the river, we hiked switchbacks to a cliff overlooking the river valley. As we gained elevation, we shed layers. No need for a coat. No need for a scarf. No more need for the long sleeved undershirt.

We huff and puff to the top then pile all the layers back on as the bitter wind whips about us on the exposed cliff. Once snug in our layers, we gape at the river elegantly snaking below us.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
Lichen growing on a log along the trail.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
Hikes to a peak are some of my favorite hikes. This vista of the Big South Fork Cumberland River was breathtaking.
We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
During most of the hike, we were protected in the river ravine. But once we reached the exposed peak, no hair was safe. It all blew in my face.

The six mile round trip left us exhilarated, exhausted, and ready to lounge around the campsite for the rest of the day.

The next morning, we didn’t hear any drilling but we did hear packing. It is Sunday morning and all our friends have work tomorrow. We look forlornly as tents are broken down and chairs are packed away. We watch the last of the firewood burn itself to coals. As each car pulls out, we wave goodby, and then turn to Dodgy. It’s time for one last hike.

Twin Arches Upper Loop Trail

The Twin Arches Upper Loop Trail is only 1.2 miles but it manages to be incredibly satisfying. Hiking down, I hadn’t anticipated the sheer scale of the arches. They stretched over 100 feet above our heads. It was rather disconcerting to walk close to the arch walls and see the surface riddled with holes from years of wind erosion.

These sandstone arches are the largest in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. In fact, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is home to the greatest number of arches in a US park east of the Mississippi. The specification is rather necessary when there is a park in Utah named Arches National Park. But that shouldn’t devalue the impressive scale and natural artistry found in these formations.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends and we are taking Duluth Trading Co. along for the ride. #Spon
This is not your usual hooded sweatshirt. The Alaska Hardgear Prudhoe Bay Hoodie is heavy duty and perfect for today’s hike in the wilderness where the winter is doggedly treading on Spring’s toes. We won’t let the chill cramp our style!

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
While it feels as if we have returned to the Big South Fork Cumberland River overlook, we are now relaxing on top of one of the many arches on the park.
We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
There is another whole forest sprouting on top of this arch.
We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
This type of exposed stone epitomizes Tennessee to me. It is so dramatic.

We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
As if the arches weren’t enough, there was even a small cave to explore within the base of the arch.
We are visiting Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, straddling the Tennessee and Kentucky border for a weekend of camping, cooking, and hiking with friends.
The sheer proportions of the arches in the park can make us feel so small!

On The Road Again

The weekend only lasts so long and we find ourselves back on the road. Like each of our stops, though, we leave a little bit richer. We have hiked to a magnificent cliff. We ate and chatted with friends. And we have expanded our wardrobe. If anyone wants to follow suit, check out Duluth Trading Company. They have been so kind to us. Be kind to them.

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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