We woke up on Wednesday morning (May 17th) ready for another great day exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our full agenda for the day started with breakfast burritos in our condo before heading to the park.
As we drove into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the weather was overcast and very foggy. One of our primary goals for the day was to enjoy Clingman's Dome - and we knew a foggy day wasn't ideal for that - but we decided to forge ahead with what we had planned and take the weather for what it was.
The drive from our condo to the Newfound Gap parking lot was over an hour long. We made just a few stops along the way to admire the sites.
We had really hoped that the weather would clear up a bit as we drove, but I honestly think it got increasingly foggy as we drove into the park. However, we were excited when we arrived at the Newfound Gap parking lot, and Brenson, Brooke, and Brecklyn were able to be in North Carolina for the first time!
We didn't know until we started researching things about Great Smoky Mountain National Park prior to our trip that the the Appalachian Trail goes through the park. I was pretty much giddy with excitement at the opportunity to hike on the Appalachian Trail! We began on the North Carolina side of the trail from the Newfound Gap parking lot.
At this point, I had fully embraced the foggy/misty/rainy weather and felt like it just added to the experience!
Brianna and Brecklyn on the Appalachian Trail
Brooke and Brenson on the Appalachian Trail
On this portion of the trail, we were gaining elevation. Some sections of the trail had rock steps to aid in the elevation gain, but they were quite slick since it was wet. We were thankful for our hiking poles.
Chris and Chelle on the Appalachian Trail
Loving this trail!
This is my favorite photo of us on the Appalachian Trail!
After we hiked close to a mile up the trail, we decided we had better turn around and go back to the parking lot. I think we were tempted to just keep hiking, though!
Once we reached the parking lot, we walked across to the Tennessee side of the Appalachian Trail.
It was amazing to us how dissimilar the Tennessee side of the trail was from the North Carolina side. It was descending in elevation from the parking lot, but aside from that it was very muddy and the foliage was unique, too. This portion of the trail was also very pretty, just in a distinctly different way!
Momma and Bren
Daddy and Brianna
Brecklyn and Brooke
We only encountered a few people on the trail this day, but every person we saw made a comment about how cute the kids were. I agree :-).
Because the trail was very muddy, we didn't hike for nearly as long on the Tennessee side as we had on the North Carolina side. We hiked maybe a quarter of a mile down the trail before turning around and going back to the parking lot. It was still an incredible experience be able to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail, though!
Once we reached our van, we loaded up and headed toward Clingman's Dome. It was still very overcast and foggy, but the rain had stopped. When we parked the van in the parking lot near Clingman's Dome, a wisp of cloud went through our van as the kids were getting out. It was simultaneously surprising and entertaining!
After buying a few souvenirs in the Clingman's Dome visitor's center, we trekked up the path toward the observation tower. I knew it was a short walk (about a 1/2 mile from the parking lot to observation tower), but I didn't realize there was an elevation gain of 330 feet. It was no joke on legs that were already a little fatigued!
On a clear day, you can see over 100 miles from the Clingman's Dome observation tower. This was not that day, lol.
We actually couldn't even see the parking lot!
Brecklyn and Brianna
It was neat to go to the top of the observation tower, even if the views weren't what we were hoping for.
We were having a small problem with grumpy attitudes during the Clingman's Dome experience, so I made everyone stop and have a hearty snack in the parking lot before we proceeded with our plans for the day. It never ceases to amaze me how a little bit of food will sometimes quickly cure the grumpies.
After Clingman's Dome, we decided we would drive to the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center on the North Carolina side of the park. Of course, we stopped at a few pull-offs to enjoy the views along the way.
The blue in the mountains was stunning to me!
The kids stamped their passport books once we arrived at the visitor's center, then we took a walk around the Mountain Farm Museum area.
Bren and Dad
The weather was finally clearing up, and it was splendid!
Brecklyn and Brenson
Brianna and Brooke
While at the visitor's center, we discovered we were only a few miles from the entrance of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. Of course, we had to go!
We are so grateful we were able to fit a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway into our schedule. It was gorgeous!
We all loved the tunnels!
But the views were awe-inspiring!
There is no doubt why it is called the Blue Ridge Parkway!
We knew we didn't have a lot of time to spend on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but we made time to stop at the Waterrock Knob Overlook. In addition to taking in the view, we got coffee and a few souvenirs in the small visitor's center.
So glad we did!
Someday, we want to visit this area in the autumn . . . I can only imagine how breathtaking it is!
Finally, at about 4:00pm, we decided we had better head back to our condo. We thought we were only about an hour and a half away, but it took us close to three hours to get back. The traffic slowdowns and back ups on I-40 didn't help. We had to laugh because we've driven parts of I-40 in various parts of the US (from Arizona to North Carolina), and it's rarely an enjoyable drive!
Upon arriving back at the condo, we were all a little sore and a lot tired. We made a pot of chili for dinner, and went to bed as soon as we could. Not before seeing the beautiful sunset, though!
It was astounding how the colors changed so quickly as the sun set.
We had one full day left to explore and appreciate Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we planned to make the best of it!
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