April 17–Quiet Walkways

We took it easy after our travels days and slept in late. It was a grey day but at least it didn’t rain.

First we hit the visitors center to get brochures and watch the park movie. Then we headed off to do a couple of hikes called Quiet Walkways. They are short leg stretchers of under a mile in length, spread around the park. We picked two of the close ones.

The first was a paved loop path with plaques describing the native trees going passed the remains of an old house.

Next was a path down to a small cascade. It was a short pleasant walk through the flowering Dogwoods trees.

We are always on the lookout for wild flowers.

We decided to drive back to the campground through Gatlinburg. It reminded me of Niagara Falls.

Going through Pigeon Forge was truly a new experience for us. It was show off your hot rod day. For at least 4 solid miles on the main street, along both sides, people parked their cars and then sat out in chairs next to them as people drove or walked by.

The place was packed. The roads into town were backed up for miles with people trying to check it out.

Tomorrow we will try a longer hike.