After a good sleep and some hearty breakfast, we got back on the road to the next destination. We weren't too far away it seemed, but we went around in circles trying to find the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park.
We stopped at an observation tower atop a little general store and took in the view of the mountains. And Alex bought some jam.
After getting some recommendations from a ranger at the visitor's center, we chose to visit Chimney Rock. This sign warned us at the beginning of the hike. It looks pretty easy right? We had no idea.
The hike up was beautiful, with fog rolling in all around as we followed the steep grade up along a stream.
We took breaks now and then to have some water and catch our breath as the ascent was all uphill with no flat breaks. No matter, it was great to look around.
We crossed a fast-moving stream coming down the mountain and cooling us off a bit as we rested on the banks.
This is what we encountered at the top. It was very foggy and it' s hard to tell in this photo, but the summit was protected by an extremely steep and precarious bit of climbing. There were narrow ledges that made me question the safety in going up.
Of course I overcame that thought and went for it. It was a fun, yet scary climb up and the view was nothing but fog. I think I preferred that to the 100+ mile view that is normally afforded to those who make the summit. It felt good to be up there.
Next we had to climb down. That was actually a lot of fun for me, but Alex didn't share my enthusiasm and she wisely took her time and great care in making it back down. I was proud of her for getting up as far as she did. She had fun.
We made our way down the mountain and stopped to take some more shots at the stream and in the dense forest. We made it almost all the way back without incident until Alex slipped on a rock at the very end. She's fine, though her camera was bruised. It was good to get back to the car and take off my shoes.
After looking for a few places to eat, we settled on a pizza place where we got a lot of food. Meals always taste better after a long hike.
A few more miles up the road we found our campsite for the night and pitched the tent right near the restrooms since that was the only flat part we could find.
I did a little reading before sleep. The lights of the bathrooms didn't bother me at all after the exercise we got.
After a good sleep and some hearty breakfast, we got back on the road to the next destination. We weren't too far away it seemed, but we went around in circles trying to find the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park.
We stopped at an observation tower atop a little general store and took in the view of the mountains. And Alex bought some jam.
After getting some recommendations from a ranger at the visitor's center, we chose to visit Chimney Rock. This sign warned us at the beginning of the hike. It looks pretty easy right? We had no idea.
The hike up was beautiful, with fog rolling in all around as we followed the steep grade up along a stream.
We took breaks now and then to have some water and catch our breath as the ascent was all uphill with no flat breaks. No matter, it was great to look around.
We crossed a fast-moving stream coming down the mountain and cooling us off a bit as we rested on the banks.
This is what we encountered at the top. It was very foggy and it' s hard to tell in this photo, but the summit was protected by an extremely steep and precarious bit of climbing. There were narrow ledges that made me question the safety in going up.
Of course I overcame that thought and went for it. It was a fun, yet scary climb up and the view was nothing but fog. I think I preferred that to the 100+ mile view that is normally afforded to those who make the summit. It felt good to be up there.
Next we had to climb down. That was actually a lot of fun for me, but Alex didn't share my enthusiasm and she wisely took her time and great care in making it back down. I was proud of her for getting up as far as she did. She had fun.
We made our way down the mountain and stopped to take some more shots at the stream and in the dense forest. We made it almost all the way back without incident until Alex slipped on a rock at the very end. She's fine, though her camera was bruised. It was good to get back to the car and take off my shoes.
After looking for a few places to eat, we settled on a pizza place where we got a lot of food. Meals always taste better after a long hike.
A few more miles up the road we found our campsite for the night and pitched the tent right near the restrooms since that was the only flat part we could find.
I did a little reading before sleep. The lights of the bathrooms didn't bother me at all after the exercise we got.
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