Vacation Day 4 - On top of Old Smoky

Our resort was wonderful.  A full kitchen and living room area with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.  With two swimming pools, a hot tub, ping pong table, basketball courts, and a two story waterfall, it was a great place to relax nestled up against the mountains.  The entrance to the National Park was less than 2 miles away from our resort.  Being that close to the mountains, we couldn't resist spending several days in the park.  

Ever wonder why they are called the Smoky mountains?  They are called the smokey mountains because of the natural fog that hangs over the range.  It looks a bit like smoke from a distance.

 The trail up to "Old Smoky" although paved was steep and difficult.  The highest point is actually called Clingmans Dome - we just nicknames it Old Smoky.  It's at an elevation of 6,643 feet - the highest mountain in Tennessee and third highest in the Appalachian range.  It took a long time to make it the half mile walk up to the top. I was proud of the kids - they made it up to the top.  I only had to carry Hazel part of the way - she was a trooper through it all.

We were grateful for the many benches along the way since we had to stop several times so Zabien could rest his tired legs, but we made it.

The view was so worth it.  It was not only beautiful but breathtaking and inspiring as well.

 The older 2 kids loved being high up in the sky, and Hazel was just happy that Eliza finally let her hold the play phone.

Ok, so maybe Eliza didn't willingly let her hold the phone, there was some definite parental intervention there, but the phone made all the difference in the mind of Hazel, and it made our time at the top and the hike back down much more enjoyable.  It was so cute that Hazel kept trying to take pictures with her little play phone - just goes to show you how much children watch and copy what they see their parents do.

The hike back down was less strenuous, but it didn't necessarily go any faster.  Hazel insisted that she walk the entire way down.  She only fell a couple of times, but she tended to get distracted by the many rocks and side trails she found on the way down.  Despite the distractions, she provided lots of inspiration to those still making their way up the mountain.  Whenever others got discouraged, they took a look at my little 16 month old girl and said, "if she can do, I can do it."

Driving through the national park was equally as breathtaking.  Yes, the mountain really do like there is a layer of blue tinted smoke rising above them.  And yes, they are definitely as majestic and beautiful as everyone says.