As promised I am giving you a part two to our Tennessee adventures. I think this was my most favorite vacation I've been on (next to going out west, but I will get to that). We had seen so much wildlife, hiked a couple of new trails, and got to see some incredible sights. Our campground was so peaceful that I really just didn't want to leave.
This time around we were able to go ziplining in the mountains. Now I've zip lined in the rain forest and at camps (one of which I worked at) so of course on my bucket list would be zip lining in the mountains. This was actually the first time I have ever scheduled a zip lining tour, and this was also the first time my boyfriend had ever been zip lining. CLIMBWORKS was the place I decided on with being twenty minutes out of Gatlinburg, TN and promise of mountain views. Let me tell you what I LOVED that place. The guys running it were super chill, and when they needed to switch around our tour they made sure we were able to stick with the same tour and have a time that was convenient for us.
Our tour was the tree top tour that they offered. This was nine zip lines with three sky bridges and a surprise at the end. In the middle of our zip lining adventure one of the landings gave you an amazing view of Mount Leconte. I recommend this place to any one that finds themselves in the area.
Our campsite was gorgeous as usual. We stayed at our usual T4 site at Mile High Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This year the Great Smoky Mountains were living up to their name and we encountered some mist in the mornings. I couldn't complain though because it just gave a leery but beautiful feel to the world around us.
While down there this time we did three hikes. One was our typical Charlie's Bunion hike, but with our cameras this time. The one eighty degree views were not just the only thing that was worth this time around, but also some of the wildlife we got to see. I happened to spot a few salamanders along the trail, and also a bird that happens to be on my bird bucket list (yes, that is a thing). At first when we heard the bird my boyfriend thought it was an ATV, and I was worried it was a wild boar charging at us seeing how we were in boar country. I didn't hear it for a while. Then we heard it again, but this time closer. At the end of the thumping noise I heard the sound of wings, and instantly I hushed my boyfriend and told him what it was. There happened to be a little spot off the path that turned out to be perfect because the bird was not far from it. Here a male Ruffed Grouse was drumming on an old log. I was soooo excited to see this bird because I've only heard of people hearing them drum in Ohio, but I had not heard one myself.
Our next hike was at Chimney Tops, which unfortunately after the fires you still can't go on the mountain itself. Luckily they have made the trail accessible enough to have an observation area right next to the mountain to be able to enjoy the views. The views were beautiful, but be prepared for stairs. I mean stairs, half the trail is steep stairs. Great views though, especially seeing how the mist was on the mountains that day, and the rivers going up are sprinkled with waterfalls. Hopefully someday soon they open the actual mountain to get back to it again.
Our last big hike was to Alum Cave Bluffs. This hike had the option of hiking to Mount Leconte, but we got out on the trail so late, and after hiking the other two trails we didn't feel like walking five miles one way that day. Since it was so damp out we were able to see salamanders along the trail including the Johnson's Salamander, which is only found in the Great Smoky Mountain area. A few little waterfalls were along the path, and even some neat destinations were along the way. One of these little gems along the way was arch rock that has stairs to go through the arch. There was also what was called a bald where you got great views of the surrounding mountains.
Alum cave itself is in fact not a true cave but an over hang in the mountain side. We have something equivalent to it in Ohio just not as steep and on the side of hill instead of a mountain side. It was worth the climb to just see how majestic the overhang truly was. If you were to hike the rest of the way on the trail you would end up on the top of Mount Leconte, like I said previously, and could even stay in a primitive cabin at the top.
There was a couple of our mountain creature friends that we got to see off the trails as well. Oconaluftee visitors center is a great spot in the mornings and evenings to catch a glimpse of the elk. This is their rut season so we actually got to watch the males bugle, and a couple of bachelors fight among themselves.
Going down Cade's Cove auto tour path gave us the chance to see some great wildlife as well. At this point in our trip we had not yet seen a bear, and that was the biggest thing I wanted to get a picture of while we were down there. Every time I've seen bears I have not had a good camera in my possession. We not only got to see a bear, we got to see a mom and her cubs run through a field. I was able to get this shot and was very pleased.
This was all and all my favorite vacation I have taken so far. To see all the wildlife that we did was just amazing and to be able to get all the shots I did with my Sony a6000 was just awesome. If you ever find yourself in Tennessee you must go to the mountains.
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