A Family-oriented Spring Break – Day 5: Great Smoky Mountains
We spent our only full day of the trip to Gatlinburg getting acclimated to the Smoky Mountains by driving across the GSMNP via Highway 441. It was a beautiful day with mostly sunny skies and a high in the low 70s. We were hoping so much to see a black bear or two. Unfortunately, we did not. Frankly, we didn’t see any wildlife to speak of. After driving back down to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, we grabbed a quick brochure discussing best areas for wildlife. This helpful guide recommended we take a drive on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This was the highlight of the day. While we did not catch a glimpse of any bear, the road was beautiful with many picturesque stopping points along the Le Conte Creek and the Roaring Fork Creek.
Here is a shot I took along the Roaring Fork and a mill near the roadside.
Beautiful! We’ve never seen a bear either. Asheville is worth a day if you are going that far east. If not this time, be sure to plan for a day there this summer! Head north on the winding back roads. The highways don’t offer the best scenery. Enjoy!
Great pictures and beautiful scenery!