Lee Family Vacation ‘09: Great Smokey Mountains

Saturday was the day of outdoor activities.  And in Knoxville, that means the Great Smokey Mountains!  On the original docket was Clingman’s Dome, Metcalf Bottoms and Cade’s Cove.  We only made it to the Dome and Cove.  But it was a fantastic day!

Clingman’s Dome is amazing.  For many reasons – 1) it’s beautiful and 2) it’s a physical challenge to make it to the top!  Our crew (Me, Becca, Abigail, Phil and Jess) made it all the way with only 5 stops along the way.  Phil had the best endurance with me bringing up the rear.  But getting to the observation deck was well worth the climb.

After the Dome, we went to the place where Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smokey Mountain National Park in 1939.  It’s right on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line.  Didn’t realize we were traveling into North Carolina!  Heck, even Clingman’s Dome is in NC.  Show’s how much I know, right?

“To the free people of America. We meet today to dedicate the mountains, streams, and forests to the service of the American people.”

The final leg of our trip was to make the jaunt around Cade’s Cove.  We’ve done this before (and Phil/Jess have done it countless times), but it is still beautiful.  We were hoping for a bear, but instead saw 20 or so deer.  Even saw a few bucks with antlers.  Sweet…

We made it back to Phil and Jess’s house around 11 pm, exhausted.  A good day, for sure.  Today will be a hodgepodge of random activities.  We’ve discussed a candy factory, country-themed dinner theater and seeing the movie UP.  I’ll let you know how it all goes in my next installment!  Until then…