For our second half of spring break, way back a couple weeks ago, we went on a trip to Tennessee. We stayed in Sevierville and did tourist-y things for several days. The kids had a blast, the adults had fun, too. These pictures and events are in no particular order. I uploaded photos to my computer from 3 different sources-our camera, my phone and Andy's phone so I will post as I find the photos stashed away on the computer. And, as I have time.
The pictures for today are from are trip to Clingman's Dome. It's at the top of a mountain in the Smoky Mountains National Park. The kids were agreeable to to trip-they don't have any fear of heights to keep them in the valley. I was the only one having an almost-anxiety attack as I drove our van up and up and up. I even saw clouds out the corner of my eye as we were driving-at tire level. We were so high up we were driving through the clouds!
Here's a bit from the National Park Service website:
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Only Mt. Mitchell (6,684 feet) and Mt. Craig (6,647), both located in Mt. Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina, rise higher. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top.
When you get to the top, there is a parking lot that has no rails or anything off the side of the mountain. That's when I about lost is and just circled the van around to go right back down. How could I let my children out to stand on this sidewalk with no rails or safety anything? Several deep breaths later, I stopped the van so everyone could get out and then I squeezed our van into a parking spot. We went early in the day and I'm glad we did. By the time we were getting back into our van, the parking lot was full and people were parking on the side of the road leaving the site. No way would I have parked this van and my children on the side of the mountain, gotten out and walked in traffic to the start of the path. Thankfully, that wasn't our lot.
The air tastes different up here, crisper, cleaner. The temperature is cooler. I made sure everyone had a jacket to wear. We even saw a little bit of ice as we drove up.
No lies: it is beautiful up there. The views are amazing and we were lucky enough to go on a clear day when you could see for miles.
You walk up a paved trail to the top of the dome. The trail is paved, but steep. Steep. We were some of those people who pushed a stroller to the top (because a certain princess didn't want to walk-which was probably a good thing-we would have ended up carrying her). It was a good work-out for me that morning, a good work-out for everyone. Andy also wore the hiking backpack with Kinley riding in it.
And now, for the pictures....
The view from the parking lot. Notice, no guard rails or anything. I did feel a little better after realizing that you can't walk over the edge and fall straight down the mountain. There are plenty of trees to stop your fall.
Boys posing on rocks.
At the top of the dome, bottom of the observation tower.
The group that walked up the observation tower ramp. I'm sure the views were amazing, but my nerves had had all the heights they could take that day.
How the princess traveled.
Did I mention we went on Easter? What a great way to celebrate-surrounded by God's creation.
The boys on the actual Appalachian Trail. This trail takes you up and down the mountain. 6,600 feet. You know, because it's a lot easier to walk up on down a mountain than to stay on a trail in the valley.
Random boy pics.
Kinley, along for the ride.
Pretty sure I told Andy not to sit the boys on this bench for a photo op. The one place that I'm pretty sure you could fall straight down the mountain. Of course this happened while I was in the gift shop getting our magnet to celebrate our hike.
Onto the Sugarlands Welcome Center. They have a nature center there with lots of displays.
Liam, working hard on his Junior Ranger scavenger hunt.
Liam, getting sworn in as a Junior Ranger. This was so fun for him. The Junior Ranger program is at many national parks. You can even do activities from home and send in your packet to get your badge.
He was so pumped to be a Junior Ranger.
And, Kinley really liked this bear.
I love the Smokies. Love the park. Love being out in nature and letting the kids experience it. I see many more trips to the mountains in our future.
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