So things got interesting in Gatlinburg. We had some great weather and enjoyed each day to the fullest. Yesterday we hiked between 8 and 9 miles in 4 hours and 45 minutes. We struggled to the top of a mountain looking for an orchard that we did not find, but we did find an amazing waterfall and log with handrail to cross the falls. It was amazing. I tried something different and wore my work hiking boots and was able to hike longer, much longer. I still did get ankle pain eventually, but I was much better off with the other boots.
we left Gatlinburg and headed to Bryson City, NC. We went there to hike the trail we did last time where the mountain lion snarled. We retraced our steps down to the lake and enjoyed a picnic. The camping are changed and the picnic tables were gone so we sat shore side at the lake. It was tough hiking but worth doing again. We were better prepared for animal encounters with bear mace etc.
Gatlinburg experienced a bad storm that blew through and it took out the cell tower that supplied all the internet service so there was no posting going on. Tomorrow is going to be neat 32 degrees so we may not be doing the hiking we are hoping to do , we will know in the morning.
