Hanging Out In the Clouds

Jim and I planned this day to hike to Clingman's Dome. It is the highest peak in the Smokey Mountains - and today I think it was the coldest too!

We saw so much beauty today. The "Dome" is about 50 miles from our house where it was about 60 degrees when we headed out. It was a breezy 28 at the top of the Dome. As we drove towards the Dome we watched the temperature drop. We stopped at the Newfoundland Gap and could hardly stand outside long enough to take a picture - the wind chill was chilling!! We passed trees changing colors, saw golden leaves floating in the Little River, and from a distance what looked like snow at the peaks. When we finally drove the last 7 miles up Clingman's Dome Road, we realized that the trees were truly frosted. A thick coat of white frosting covered all the peak trees. It really was beautiful!

This tree, plastered with berries, was also covered in frost. It was beautiful. As we walked the last half mile to the Dome, we saw bears at the tops of trees eating these frosted berries. What a sight. The view was limited at the top because we were encased in swirling clouds. But we were so glad to be there - hanging out in the clouds!

We also walked a "quiet walkway" down to the river. As we headed back to the truck I talked Jim into checking out a side path where we stumbled upon an old cemetery with stones dating back to the early 1800's. Many of the stones did not have legible writing and the whole area was surrounded by a stone wall, although the wall was broken down in many places.

We walked another path that took us past two old (old) fireplaces, still standing tall as the trees with no other evidence of the home and family that once lived there.

This is what we love about the mountains. It is beautiful and it is different every time we drive there. And you can feel the beauty all the way down to your soul!

Here's to the Ride!