Day 3 at Smoky Mountains National Park

The signs at Laurel Falls Trail.

We decided that yesterday would just be spent hiking two easy trails to photograph waterfalls. A wrong turn changed our day into a beautiful adventure through the forest. Eventually, we found one of the "less strenuous" trails on my list, but I didn't realize it was a 2.6 mile hike and not a half-mile, until we were at the .8 mile marker.  
  
Since it looked like this might be the only falls' hike we would accomplish, we decided to just take our time and see it through, and we were so happy that we did. Besides, we kept passing people who were coming back down from the top who were either a lot older than us or didn't seem as physically fit as we considered ourselves (we're in denial). Each one that went by convinced me that we were going to do this, no matter. 

Along the path we passed the beautiful Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron, various flowering weeds, pines, oaks, maples, dogwoods and tulip trees. Signs were posted warning us about the sheer drop offs and reminder signs that we share this area with the black bears were a bit unsettling. Someone reported that he spotted a black snake that, although non-poisonous, does bite, however, we didn't see him (phew....I don't like snakes and I think George likes them even less).

Once at the top, we snapped a few photos and sat on the smooth water-worn rocks to rest.

I had managed to keep my blood sugar at a good level up to the top, but all of a sudden it began to rapidly plummet. Adjusting my insulin intake is a very fine balance, and I almost had it covered, but needed to be rescued by my glucose gel, a Kind© Honey and Nut Bar and George. The gel and Kind© Bar elevated my blood sugar, but George talked me into sitting and waiting for them to kick in, which was the wisest decision I don't always make in these instances. 

The wait also offered us time to speak with a Park Guide who filled us in on the Laurel Falls Hiking Path. He explained about the bears, the snakes and people who constantly make foolish mistakes in the park. He found a Goldfish Cracker and explained how things like this could kill a bear. He told us about a little cub who was found emaciated and who is now being monitored with a GPS device after being rehabilitated and returned to the park. Some bears, referred to as "Nuisance Bears," also wear GPS trackers to alert Park staff of when they venture too close to neighboring towns. The residents don't like their visits, but the bears are only in search of food that they have tasted due to human carelessness. The bears are also so used to seeing and smelling humans, that they don't know enough to be afraid of them. When bears do wander out of their safe habitat, they don't always make it back. Quite interesting stuff offered by a quite interesting man.

The easier 1.3 mile hike down.

Looking out from the trail.

By the time we reached the car my feet were sore and achy. It felt good to take off my boots and let them breathe a bit. Although, after only a few breaths, back on they went, because we found another little spot to investigate, "The Little Greenbrier School." The school was built by the Walker family, whose many children attended. Opposite the school was a fenced in area that I couldn't figure out what it could be until I reached the open gate. It turned out to be another cemetery. 

Notice the wide planks of wood and the teacher? at the front.

Many of the stones were so old they couldn't be read, but newer stones had been lain with just the names of those whose remains lay beneath the ground. Sadly, I found five original stones of five siblings all in a row. All had been born to Mary Walker - three girls and two boys, buried close to one another. Only one of the boys lived until five years old, the others passed immediately or within a year of their birth. I can't imagine how a mother could bury so many children.  

How fortunate for all of us reading this entry to have been born now, opposed to back in the early 1800s, when life for these strong pioneers was so challenging.

Right by the side of the road.

Luckily, we were afforded the opportunity to view a little wildlife during our day. We watched a grouse and her babies cross the road and, in two separate areas, two black bears -  one large and one small. The little one was so cute, but the fact that momma was probably close by made him frightening. I kept glancing at the cub and looking around for mom.

She was at a distance, and we dared not get any closer.

Things I observed (other than the flower and fauna): Few people are overly friendly, most barely make eye contact and may just nod their head once, some mutter, "hey." some look down while you pass by, some are obviously in a world of their own and totally ignore your presence. I also witnessed the lack of respect for the park, the animals, other visitors and the environment. I found deliberate littering to be such an insult that I picked it up on my way down from the falls. Yelling and hollering in this serene location was also disturbing to those of us who want to appreciate the quiet solitude of the paths, sights and natural sounds.

On our way back home, we needed to make a pit-stop at a supermarket and it turned out to be the grand opening of a brand new Publix. We've never seen so many people in a supermarket at one time. They were offering chances to win gift cards, handing out free cookies, free sushi samples (I got one) and cooked food. Down every aisle we ran into someone chewing something. It was nice not to have to worry about expiration dates since everything was obviously delivered recently. We checked out, received a free insulated grocery bag and went on our way. A long day, full of adventure had come to an end.

Deep thought for the day:  "Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners." ~ Laurance Sterne