Mar 31 - Great Smokey National Park-Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome

  This morning was very cloudy and cold.  We stopped at the visitor center and was told the road up the mountains had snow last night, and perhaps we should wait until the afternoon to drive up there.  So we went to the waterfalls that the park volunteer told us about yesterday.  We drove out to the Institute at Tremont--an educational facility that puts on all kinds to programs.  And, behind the school starts the trail to the waterfalls.  When we got there, no one was around, and we thought maybe we should rethink the whole thing.   But, we came across a woman, and asked her if she knew where the falls trail was, and she said she had just come back from the hike to the falls.  About 1 mile each way, about an hour or so hike.  She was returning, and it was only 10 am.  She said the falls were worth it.  So, off we went.
  Good thing we wore our hiking boots, and winter jackets.  The climb was quite steep, with a narrow, rocky pathway, or at places with lots of tree roots.  No railings, a few added steps, and drop-off cliffs on the side.  We went slowly, and the view was quite spectacular.  We finally made it to the falls, and yes, they were phenomenal.  The sounds, the view, the combination of rocks and water.  Just my kind of place. 
  We thought we were so capable, actually getting there in one piece.  We met a teacher there with a 5th grade class of kids from Missouri.  And shortly after, a family with 2 very young children came skipping down the path--that we had so carefully climbed down.  They all just scampered up the rocks surrounding the falls.  They reminded me of Shanti and Gabe, when they were young.
  After the return hike, which did indeed go faster downhill than up, we drove further on down the road, following the river that the falls fell into.  We stopped for lunch watching the cataract of water flow by. 
  By then, the clouds were giving way to blue skies.  So we drove up to Newfound Gap.  About 12 miles up the mountains--this US highway connects Gatlinburg, TN with Cherokee, NC.  A very curvy, beautiful road.  Each turn has a more incredible view.  However, it was sold cold that there was snow in the trees.  The road was clear.  But the temperature was around 24 degrees, with a strong wind.  Still, lots of people were on the road, to see the view.  All along the way, there were pullouts, where you can stop and enjoy the view.  I took LOTS of photos, as each view was better than the last. 
  After we got to the highest peak, at Newfound Gap, we drove the extra 7 miles out to Clingmans Dome.  This would have been spectacular, if  it hadn't fogged over when we arrived.  For some reason, the cloud covered this observation tower, so you could not see anything.  The drive back, however, after a few miles, cleared up, so we got to see the overlooks.  Breathtaking.
  All in all, a very nature-driven day.  Peter was a good sport, and had a good time--even with no history or battlegrounds!

Lots of photos today.  Water falls at Tremont Institute:

Lunch along the stream:

Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome: