You might by now know that I get all excited about the long weekends and would never want to spend it at home. I had been longing to go to the mountains from quiet a long time since my last such weather and vegetation was almost a year ago to Seattle and Oregon. I had two places in mind Smokey Mountains and the Rocky Mountains - both very popular for their own charming beautiful views, landscapes and the fresh and soothing experiences, both almost same distance from home. With our newly developed love towards really long drives and road trips since the end of last year, we were OK with 11-12 hours of drive to reach either of this place. Any trip is fun when accompanied by good friends and we all agreed on stopping over at their place and then head to the agreed upon Smokey Mountains.
Now that the destination was finalized, we wanted to find a place to stay and enjoy the vacation with less of tourists around us, yet closer to mountain, comfort and peace around to escape everything else we left behind. After couple of hours of searching the internet, we found a place which all of us could agree on, thanks to airbnb. We found the perfect place, which we were a little doubtful of until we reached there.
This was a beautiful place in Sevierville maintained by super awesome host Hannah, who made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed, at every step. I am for sure advertising this place for, this played a crucial role in making our trip memorable.
It rained almost all the 3 days we were in Smokey Mountains. One of my friend had suggested we take the Sky lift ride and I am in agreement for it gave some of the best view of the super cute Gatlinburg town hustled in those beautiful mountains.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are two small towns which is flocked with tourists and has lots of entertainment to offer, for those looking at family entertainment as well as adventurous coaster rides other than the Sky lift.
After doing the touristy things in Gatlinburg for most of the day, we went on a hike to Grotto Falls, where you can get behind the waterfall and continue your hike, if you have energy for a longer hike.
We ended the day by soaking ourselves in the hot tub and playing some pool to get prepared for the next day.
The next day, we woke up and decided to go up to the Clingman's Dome and so in the process crossed Tennesse and entered North Carolina to reach to the highest point to view the Smokey Mountain. Was it worth it? - Every step of it!! It was cold, breezy, raining and yet was inviting. The mountains lived up to their name "Smokey" and drew curtain to the view :)
Once we were satisfied (could not stand the cold), we make our descent to drive through the Cades cove loop to take more view. However, after evaluating the reality, we agreed that, because of so much rain, the view would not be there and decided to go for one more hike to Lauren Falls and it did not disappoint us as well.
The drive throughout was just so beautiful with the streams running parallel to the road, making its dance through the mountain and pleasing our eyes ensuring we had a good show.
The hike to Lauren Falls was not the hardest but yet was a not so fun hiking as few returning scared me about the snakes they had seen (Thank God, we didn't see any!) The wild flowers on the way released such amazing perfume and these Mountains just offered me everything I was looking for!
The Lauren falls, though didn't have the passage behind the falls, had its own mighty display for which I sat down there, listening to all the chiming! Nature teaches so much and if you try to listen respectfully, sings to you the best melody. I love nature and respect it even more and feel ashamed even more for what we are doing to this beautiful world out here. And with that thought and all the beautiful, mesmerizing moments etched in my heart, I bowed in respect to say a thankyou, just before we hiked back to our car.
As many of my family and friends know, given a chance, I would never want to come back, but reality check always wins lol!
This blog doesn't contain much about detailed info on what to see and what not, because nature seen from any point is beautiful, so just go stop where you want, look at the painting the nature has painted there and move on :)
Oh wait, did I tell you that there was a lovely swing in the cabin we stayed? That was the best to sit with a cup of tea, to listen to the stream flowing down and watch the clouds play right in front of you - over the mountains! :)
And signing off with one of my fav photo of us all from our last hike there :)
Now that the destination was finalized, we wanted to find a place to stay and enjoy the vacation with less of tourists around us, yet closer to mountain, comfort and peace around to escape everything else we left behind. After couple of hours of searching the internet, we found a place which all of us could agree on, thanks to airbnb. We found the perfect place, which we were a little doubtful of until we reached there.
This was a beautiful place in Sevierville maintained by super awesome host Hannah, who made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed, at every step. I am for sure advertising this place for, this played a crucial role in making our trip memorable.
It rained almost all the 3 days we were in Smokey Mountains. One of my friend had suggested we take the Sky lift ride and I am in agreement for it gave some of the best view of the super cute Gatlinburg town hustled in those beautiful mountains.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are two small towns which is flocked with tourists and has lots of entertainment to offer, for those looking at family entertainment as well as adventurous coaster rides other than the Sky lift.
After doing the touristy things in Gatlinburg for most of the day, we went on a hike to Grotto Falls, where you can get behind the waterfall and continue your hike, if you have energy for a longer hike.
We ended the day by soaking ourselves in the hot tub and playing some pool to get prepared for the next day.
The next day, we woke up and decided to go up to the Clingman's Dome and so in the process crossed Tennesse and entered North Carolina to reach to the highest point to view the Smokey Mountain. Was it worth it? - Every step of it!! It was cold, breezy, raining and yet was inviting. The mountains lived up to their name "Smokey" and drew curtain to the view :)
Once we were satisfied (could not stand the cold), we make our descent to drive through the Cades cove loop to take more view. However, after evaluating the reality, we agreed that, because of so much rain, the view would not be there and decided to go for one more hike to Lauren Falls and it did not disappoint us as well.
The drive throughout was just so beautiful with the streams running parallel to the road, making its dance through the mountain and pleasing our eyes ensuring we had a good show.
The hike to Lauren Falls was not the hardest but yet was a not so fun hiking as few returning scared me about the snakes they had seen (Thank God, we didn't see any!) The wild flowers on the way released such amazing perfume and these Mountains just offered me everything I was looking for!
As many of my family and friends know, given a chance, I would never want to come back, but reality check always wins lol!
This blog doesn't contain much about detailed info on what to see and what not, because nature seen from any point is beautiful, so just go stop where you want, look at the painting the nature has painted there and move on :)
Oh wait, did I tell you that there was a lovely swing in the cabin we stayed? That was the best to sit with a cup of tea, to listen to the stream flowing down and watch the clouds play right in front of you - over the mountains! :)
And signing off with one of my fav photo of us all from our last hike there :)
