Great Smoky Mountains

Our trip from Nashville to Asheville was absolutely beautiful. We traveled into Gatlinburg, which is a funky town at the TN entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains. There are tons of activities, shops and restaurants here to enjoy. The drive through the Great Smoky Mountains is beautiful and a must do for anyway that loves the outdoors, mountains, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Except for Mount Mitchell and Mount Craig, the highest mountain peaks in eastern North America are found in the Smokies - the most massive mountain uplift in the East and one of the oldest land areas on Earth. Sixteen summits rise more than 6000 feet, and the main ridge does not drop below 5000 feet for 36 miles. It's amazing!

Here, at the Newfound Gap, I am 1972.00 miles to Mount Katahdin Maine on the Appalachian Trail.
As we continued on our journey, just before we arrived in Cherokee, NC we happened upon these reindeer, grazing in this field. I was so excited when I saw cars parked along the side of the road. Any one of you that has gone on a Maine moose watching tour with us understands that when you see cars along the roadside in the wilderness, it's either a moose or a PMS (possible moose sighting). This was a confirmed reindeer sighting and five of them, I might add. I can't tell you how excited our dog friends were. We always excite Manny and Abby about seeing MOOSE. So, when we see cows, deer and this time reindeer...they were just as excited as I was!

So, we are in Asheville now and have plans to check out the city and relax again, before our trek north. We feel rested and I would say are both looking forward to traveling north to our home of the great State of Maine. We will be traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, from start to finish or from finish to start, however you see it. It's 469 miles and I can't wait.