Great Smoky Mountains National Park
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/

Before arriving, I tried to situate myself with maps, but got the best tip for a trail from a ranger at the Visitor Center in Oconaluftee. I asked him facetiously for a trail that “had plant diversity, provided exercise and had nobody else on it.” He promptly sent me to a 3-mile trail and both made my day and an honest man of himself!

Though the trail started right off the Newfound Gap Road, I immediately left behind the crowds…no cell phone reception either.

Along with the peace afforded by immersion in nature, I saw artistic, seasonal, and mystical signs.

Due to Hemlock destruction with the invasion of the woody adelgid, the scenery is changing.

Even though I didn’t have enough time or water to make it to the top of the ridge, the changing view constantly rewarded me with plants and animals a plenty.


Upon my return trip back through the park, I was eager to walk a bit of the Appalachian Trail, especially since our first client asked for a miniature version in her Chicago front yard. Nature had a different plan. Halfway up to Newfound Gap, the fog blocked out the vistas.

Pouring rain conspired with the fog to make my trek short-lived but the historic reverberations deep.

All I could see at the top was a sign that aptly noted the Smokies’ famous diversity.

Back down in the lowlands, I sighted some of the plants I almost always warn my clients not to grow in Chicagoland since they are so much happier and healthier here.