One Stroky’s Journey: Assumptions equal vacation surprises

Skupiens large and small celebrate making it to Laurel Falls.

Well before my April 22, 2011, stroke, husband Walter had reserved a campsite in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for June 29-July 6. Elkmont Campground near Gatlinburg, TN, was our choice, high enough up the mountain to provide cool nights.

We were looking forward to our oldest son, his wife and four little ones ages three through nine camping next to us. We were also anticipating our youngest son, his wife and their 14-month old son and three-year-old daughter “camping out” at Bearskin Lodge in Gatlinburg and joining us for daytime fun.

For the third year, we had also planned to pick up our two oldest grands, ages 9 and 6, for two nights camping with us until their parents arrived. Optimistic during my earliest rehab, we saw no reason to change plans.

It was probably good that our children’s wisdom prevailed. Son Walt and wife Sarah, said maybe next year the boys could join us. Soon after we arrived at our campsite, we realized that our optimism was based on faulty assumptions about how long, how often and how involved certain post-stroke tasks would be in the camping environment.

We did a bit of experimentation and adjustment between our arrival on Wednesday and our children and grands’ arrival on Friday.

But our assumptions about a “hike” to Laurel Falls produced the most dramatic results--an unforgettable thrill ride for me and heavy-duty work for hubby and sons Walt and Jeremy.

Walter and I had taken the 1.3-mile trail up to the falls and back (2.6 miles roundtrip) several years ago. According to our memories, the path included steep sections, but the paving made the trail a great possibility for a wheelchair and strollers if accompanied by enough strong, able-bodied “pushers.”

What we had remembered as a nice paved trail was in reality considerably narrower than we remembered and had torturous dips, bulges and tree roots. Time, weather, foot traffic and invading tree vegetation had taken its toll.

A rest stop on the Laurel Fall trail includes a little rock climbing for the grands, including sisters Stella and Charlie.

Happy rock climber granddaughter Molly Kate

Youngest grandchild Walker enjoys the attention of our oldest grandchild, his cousin Luke, during a pause in the climb to Laurel Falls.

Going up, we were on the right, hugging the side of the mountain. The trail’s blemishes that required exceptional maneuvering on the way up were absolutely scary when we were coming down on the outside edge.

Thanks to our guys for teaming up in shifts to get me down, one controlling the wheelchair’s descent and another lifting the front wheels out of the dips and over the bulges and bumps that could have sent me catapulting out for an extra speedy trip down the side of the mountain. Also thanks to daughters-in-law who provided creativity, muscle and finesse in getting little ones up and down safely and, for the most part, happily.

In between the trip up and the trip down, we spent some time enjoying the falls.

Grandchildren and mamas enjoy the cool breeze and views created by the cascading waters.

Nana snaps memories from her wheelchair perch.

Grandson Nate explores the slippery shallows.

Grandson Luke humors Nana by posing in front of the falls.

Our experience was a shared adventure that created special Smoky Mountain memories.