Day 11 in Dixie: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

and it is both "Great" and "Smoky"

This is a really beautiful place and, as the name implies, it's smoky with mist.

The first day here, Matt and I took a hike through the woods and went swimming in a creek near the Sugarlands visitor center.  We were the only ones, except for a bunch of trout hopping around.  Water wasn't New England-cold, but it was brisk.  Soul-restoring.

The second day, Maddy and I headed out to go a little higher.  We drove up to Clingman's Dome, all the while being treated to spectacular vistas.  This was a 4600 foot climb in 20 miles (from 2000 to 6600 feet), and the temperature changed about 20 degrees (from 85 to 65 F).  You can hike about half a mile from there up to an observation tower.  And I do mean "up", it was steep.  At that point you're hiking along the Appalachian Trail for a bit, and straddling the Tennessee/North Carolina border.  Our sixth state!

One of the people we were hiking along with was a guy wearing a shirt depicting a Minuteman aiming an M-16 rifle, with the words "Patriot" and "Try to take it".  I was wondering what "it" was.  I was wondering whether he griped about his taxes while hiking in a National Park that is amazingly maintained and for which he paid zero dollars (this park has no entry charge).

Matt and Harry in the park.

Matt and Harry at the swimming hole.  We had suits on (the trouts are pretty modest).

Maddy at the top

Harry at the top

The top

Maddy on the tower.  Out of gas!  She had on some excellent hiking gear (flip-flops).

Evidence that we made it to North Carolina, for wont of a highway sign.

Three versions of the Creation story, at the top of Clingman's Dome.