Monday, October 15, 2007

Good Ol' Rocky Top

Recently I spent a few days in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. While I have driven through this area before this was actually my first extend visit to the Smokey Mountains. The weather was cool at night but crept into the 80's during the day. The first day we drove throughout the park and to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Cherokee. The next day we hiked to Laurel Falls and Abram Falls. With the current drought situation in the Southeast Laural Falls was struggling but Abram falls was flowing nicely. Saturday we headed out on the toughest trek of our visit, navigating the weekend traffic of Pigeon Forge. If you have never been to Pigeon Forge the best way I can describe it would be to say it is the putt-putt/g0kart/dinner theater capital of the entire world. Throw in a few outlet shopping centers and there yah go. Of course I had to go to the great Smokey Mountain Knife Works store in Sevierville. You need a knife? Look no further. They will likely have it. But after checking various internet stores, of course I realized their pricing wasn't the best. Overall, i really enjoyed the trip. I really became interested in the National Park and the various trails and destination it has to offer. After completing the hikes we found the appropriate Trail Tags to commemorate our achievements. Being a former World of Warcraft player and a Halo 3 player, naturally I want to collect them all now. In addition, there is the Appalachian Trail we encountered at many locations. I would like to at least complete this trail through the Great Smokey Mountain National park. I realize this may be a lofty goal but hey I am only 27.

P.S. Pictures should be up soon.