As a child summer vacation trips were a rare and special treat for our family. One of the best was the year we traveled to Tennessee to the Great Smoky Mountains for a week of camping fun. Coming from the rolling hills of southern Indiana I had never seen a mountain before so the wonderful deep greens and bluish haze of the atmosphere seemed almost magical to me. I recall the panoramic vistas from Clingman’s Dome and the pastoral surprise of coming into Cades Cove. Crystal fresh air, black bears and cold mountain streams are vivid memories for me. In the years since my husband and I have returned many times to the incredible beauty of the “Smokies”. I pray that they will always stand and remain for future generations to enjoy.
Sincerely,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the country's most popular national park sites. It offers postcard-perfect views and plentiful wildlife.
State(s): North Carolina Tennessee,
Established: 1926
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Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Mid-October, 2023—colors between Cherokee and Gatlinburg
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Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Even before my family and I reached the Smokies, I was in awe of the scenery around me. Tennessee’s vibrant forests framed the road on either side, and we drove along a glimmering creek that threaded through the trees. Later, after hiking up to Clingmans Dome, we watched the fog…
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