National Take A Hike Day

A quiet trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Walking the Parkway in Gatlinburg

    Gatlinburg's main street is always just as busy as those windows appear. I have rarely walked this parkway when it wasn't packed with people. Summer can be insane, but October is "fall foliage" season and the crowds were nearly as big. Of course the line to get into Pancake Pantry is always a mile long. They must be good but I would never wait in a line like that to find out.

Fall Colors in the Smokies

   Quick trips to the Smokies are one my absolute favorite things. It doesn't matter if we go to the park or visit some shops in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Just being in the area fulfills something that I cannot even explain. I'm sure others who have been here many times understand. Maybe someday I will live over there and can experience that feeling more often. For now I will be satisfied that I went one more time.