Smokey Mountains National Park

Since last night it was pretty well determined that no one else wanted to go to the National Park with me, I went alone. I spent the whole day with absolutely NO Service anywhere. I stopped for a map and asked a ranger what he suggested I go see. He suggested Clingman's Dome because it was the highest peak in the park and the day was a beautiful clear day so I would get some nice pictures. So I headed that way.

I hiked up the half mile paved track to the top of Clingman's Dome then up the lookout deck. The trail was a nice and steep grade that I definitely am not use to. It was a nice bit of exercise. I got some great pictures. It was amazing. I haven't quite figured out why I love the mountains so much. But I always lose a part of my heart while I'm here. I would gladly move down here for a few years and just work and enjoy the beauty.

After Clingman's Dome, I headed the opposite direction of my place for an added adventure. But while going down a really steep grade I managed to ruin my brakes and had them smoking when I finally pulled off. I was afraid it was my engine and had the hood up so a Ranger stopped to ask if I needed help. I explained to him what had happened and he told me how to avoid using my brakes as much on my way down a grade like that. It came in handy later.

Since I had to clearly give my brakes a chance to cool off, I took a hike down to a small stream in the area where I had pulled off. I found some of the most interesting rocks I have ever run across in my adventures. Yes I collect them from time to time. But I walked across a fallen tree and went even further then I was probably suppose to. But it was amazing! (Jimmy you can have your pick of rocks.)

I then decided to head back toward the current place of residence only to discover I had just spent the first half of the day in North Carolina. I headed to Cade's Cove once back in Tennessee. I figured it would be fine, the driving loop is not that long. I figured I should be able to get through it and back by 8pm for dinner with everyone else. I then promptly got stuck in two 1-mile long traffic jams and a 2.5-mile long traffic jam at the end all because of stupid bears. I was pissed I didn't get out of the park until like 8:30 and wanted to be back.

On the way back to Gatlinburg, I was doing great around all the curves. The speed limit was about 35 most of the way and all curves unless marked otherwise were possible at those speeds. I caught up with a few others only to discover why I caught up. The idiot about 4 cars up wouldn't go over 25 and slowed down even more for ever curve (and by the way, this road was constant curves along a river).

We had dinner at Smokey Mountains Brewery. And the steak wasn't nearly as good as Calhoun's steak. But I got a shot glass as my souvenir.

~so ends day three~

I discovered today in these travels how rude, inconsiderate, and stupid people can be. By the time I got back, I had a hatred for the human species. And it didn't help that as I was headed down to meet up with everyone else, I had a bunch of old church people being rather rude to a "kid" headed the other way. I ended up being pushed into the street a few times just to keep walking and got hit once because I refused to move into the street because a car was coming. And you have to hate them when people just walk out in front of you even though the sign clearly shows you have the right to turn, and you've been sitting there for quite a while. Because traffic down here is hell.