Day 5 - Hiking and Driving

When you are on a 6 hour hike there are many things you talk about. Sometimes it gets deep; sometimes it is stuff like: name your favorite ____. One of the things I came up with was listing each of the states, outside of Illinois, we drove through and asking what is the first thing you think of when you hear about this state. So, what is the first thing you think of? My answers are at the bottom of the Day 4 post:

Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Georgia
North Carolina
Ohio
Indiana

What a great day. We ended up hiking the Rainbow Falls Trails up to what is called the Rocky Spur ridge. It wasn't all the way up to the top of Mt. LeConte but it was close. Time and conditioning played a part although Alec was interested in getting back on our way home. I think a little homesickness is settling in! I had hiked this trail up with by brother in-law, Dave, about 14 years ago. At that time, we went all the way to the top (4000 ft. climb) where there is a lodge.

The hike up was awesome and tiring. The falls were great. There were a number of people there on our way up so we didn't stay at the falls too long. We kept going for quite some time. After the falls, as expected, we encountered no one except one group of four on the way up. The top of our trip, at the ridge offered an incredible view! When I was last there 14 years ago, it was foggy and we couldn't see much (although it did feel surreal at that time because you couldn't see beyond the drop). Along the way up we encountered many Newts (which occupied Alec's attention!), a strange mouse that I almost stepped on in the middle of the trail (very strange, he just sat there gnawing or eating slowly - not what you would expect from this kind of creature - he then quickly went on his way), and a deer on the path. The way down was quicker - although we did spend more time at the falls - no one was there. The time at the falls was very relaxing and tranquil. It took some time to get down. It is funny when you go down how many times you are asked by people going up, "how much further to the falls?". We counted 3 groups out of 4. We did the same going up.

Well, it was time to start the journey home. We did stop at a place called Duff's Smorgasbord in Pigeon Forge. It was actually a great place with great food - except for the entertainment which was a lady singing to tracks that her husband was programming and running - very slow, sleepy gospel songs - Alec wanted to get away from that sooner than later. We also had a waitress who came up to us and guessed, correctly, that Alec was a skater kid based on his looks and wardrobe! Her kid (about the same age) dressed the same way. We had much to share!

So I am now in a Comfort Inn in Lexington, Kentucky typing these last two days. I had no internet access at the Econo Lodge in Gatlinburg. In fact, phone service was erratic at best! It looks like the US won silver and gold in women's gymnastics and the Cubs swept the Braves!

A good day.