Smoky Mountains, the beginning

We spent our first night in Smoky Mountain National Park with friends Mike and Tara from the island. It was a great warm up as it was only 4.6 miles in, and Mike and Tara sure know their local flora and fauna so we learned a lot from them. Mike is an expert salamander spotter, and with four naturalists on a hike, no rock went unturned!

It rained throughout the night and until about 9am, though luckily we were in our tent safe and sound when it started and used it as a great excuse to sleep in!! We got going late and made the 9 (ish) mile hike up and out. Luckily the clouds cleared just enough to get a few good views of the fall leaves at the top. After a quick stop in town and a bite to eat at Subway (easier than cooking!), Mike and Tara dropped us off at about 8:30pm to hike the mile into Davenport Gap Shelter on the border of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Thanks to Mike and Tara for the company and making the trek out to see us! We learned a lot.

Chris filtering water right next to our campsite at Cabin Flats.