Great Smoky Mountains

The forecast had rain this morning, all sweeping in and leaving pretty much before we even did.  Still, the overcast skies left their traces amongst the mountains, giving them the reason for their namesake.  The Great Smoky Mountains were smoky indeed!

We left later this morning, after a big hearty breakfast at the hotel, and traveled south along the road through the park.  The views were even more breathtaking than usual.  Typically, we have such wonderful fall weather going through, with clear skies, brisk cool air, and leaves fluttering down.  We saw the leaves and the color, but when we arrived at the viewpoints, we stopped repeatedly to take it all in!

Pictures really don't do things justice sometimes.  We got out of the car, and it was pretty chilly up there.  But it was worth it.  Madison stood there, taking in the vast panorama, and snapping pictures of her own.  We arrived just in time, seeing far off into the distance above the clouds.

And soon after this, the clouds covered our drive a bit, reminding us of how blessed we were to take in the view at all.  It's amazing to see so many people getting out of their cars to just stop and look at the wondrous landscape before them.  We all have this in common, jaws dropped at something unmistakably majestic.  Again, these pictures don't do it justice.  But to stop there and look, you would be lying if you said you weren't impressed with the view.  How incredible this artwork is before us, created by our Heavenly Father.  In my travels across this country and in Asia, we've seen so many breathtaking views, and all humanity can't help but go to these places to stop and stare.

At the welcome center there is a field that has elk of late, and we walked along a trail to get a closer peek.  We saw them just before they left for the day, and again were quite blessed to see the view before us.  Madison was happy to take a few pictures herself!

These creatures didn't even care that we were there nearby, gawking.  They just continued eating, very used to the tourists!  And when they were done, they all wandered off into the woods, possibly towards the river running nearby.  Madison and Daddy went to check that out too - the weather was nice for exploring a bit.

But soon the elk were gone, and other tourists were arriving, asking if there were any nearby.  We were sad to report that there were so many there, and you just missed them.  Our timing was spot on today, with fleeting glances from remarkable vistas, and timely visits with a herd of elk.

On the way back, we were snapping pictures of the old rustic buildings and fencing along the way.  It had just rained, so there was a fresh, green look about things that brought out such a vibrant color to it all.

And then we went home.  It was a quick drive, over mountains and down the road a bit.  We had a great trip, although another short one of course.  But it was memorable, and something nice for the season.

We got home, fairly tired, and ready to try out our real bed.  We had some time for piano, and a little for fixing things up with KidPak's script and so forth.  And tonight before bed, we got together on the couch to watch another seasonal movie, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken."  Madison hadn't seen that one before, but she enjoyed it, particularly the thing that we seem to find the most humor in:  "Attaboy, Luther!"

It was a very pleasant day.