SMOKYS-Newfound Gap to Clingmans Dome-Oct.

Left Estill Springs , TN thursday morning and went to Louisville , TN and visited with Dobbie Mathews at his place of business then stoped by Bo Mathews farm to see him but he wasn't home. On to Towards Townsend but just inside of Maryville I stoped at an outfitters store just to see what new clothing they might have or { New Toys }. Enjoyed talking with the owner and learned that there would be no water close to the shelters where we planned to hike the next day which could cause us a real problem during our two and a half day hike. I also had other concerns but will get into that later. I found a room at the Econo Motel and I can tell you that the price I payed for one night didn't match the Motel name ! From there I enjoyed a visit at another Outfitters shop inside Townsend , TN then found a little restraunt off the beaten path to eat at called Lilly's where I enjoyed hot coffee , salmon , baked potato and slaw before going back to my room where once again I had re-packed my pack changing what food I would take because of the water shortage . Called the front desk asking for a wake up call at 5 the next morning which would be 4 my time.

I had showered and was on the road by 5:30 friday morning looking for a place to eat breakfast but couldn't find anything open in any direction for another hour , setteling for less than good food at a gas station / grocery store in Townsend. I was worried that JR hadn't got us our permits from the Nalt. parks ranger station so I drove to one at Elkmont ranger station and picked blank ones up for all four of us which was a good thing because JR hadn't. Drove on up to Newfound Gap parking area and at 8:18 that morning JR, father and brother pulled up. JR didn't have the required permit nor remember the permit number so I was able to call the parks number and at least get the permit number. As required by the Nalt. Park we were to keep one copy of the permit in our possesion and deposit the other in a box at a ranger station which at this point we were unable to do being to far away from a ranger station at that time. Feeling very uneasy about this combined with the fact of not being able to find a shelter because of over crowding and complicating this with water problems I had decided before we started the hike that I would hike the seven miles straight up to Clingmans Dome and would hitch hike back with some tourist to my truck and not have to worry about the possibility of recieving a $5000 fine from the Nalt. Parks service.

The uphill hike was every bit as tuff as I had remembered with many rocks and to my susprise very wet slippery conditions. At one point I had stepped on a flat wooden step cut and placed in the trail by a trail work crew and found myself sprawled out face down on the ground , more embarrased than hurt. Another in our group began to have problems due to the lack of knowledge of pack weight and what the trail or hiking in the Smokys really detailed and decided after that tuff climb that he had best call it a day and go back home after reaching Clingmans Dome. The four above pictures of each of us was made while sitting in the back of a man's pickup truck while traveling down the mountain. I believe it was a good experience and one that much was learned by all. By the look on everyone's faces above I'd say we'd had a time of it , LOL.

The below pictures were made from my truck window as I was driving back down the mountains towards Gatlinburg then on towards Townsend before returning back home.

You can CLICK on any of the above pictures for a better and larger view of each .

Note : JR , thank you for another great time and in giving me a chance to meet your brides family. Everyone should be as blessed as you to have a father In law , Trail name {Indiana Jones } and brother In Law , trail name { Tiger } that you can enjoy and share in lifes adventures , two really GREAT persons that I hope to spend more time with.

MOONLIGHT