May 5, 2010 - Driving 250 miles from Congaree, we headed north and slightly west towards the Great Smokies. Encompassing over 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachians, we stayed 2 nights at Deep Creek campground in America's most visited park- the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina. Driving the winding roads through a surprisingly over-developed, tourist-casino-souvenir filled Cherokee City & Cherokee Indian reservation, we arrived the camp near Bryson City. We had great weather and a pleasant, tree-shaded camp next to Deep Creek. Our 4 mile hike was awesome, with crazy inclines, butterfly watching and pathways which led to 3 different waterfalls. On our last day, we drove out via the Blue Ridge Parkway, a crazy, switchback ridge byway with spectacular views and colors of the Appalachian ranges.
Indian Creek Falls
Charlie capturing butterflies hanging out on the trail.
Must be butterfly season. We saw so many crops of butterflies, doing I don't know what. Mating? Eating?
Old Great Smoky Railroad in Bryson City.
This little guy kept hanging out on our stove screen.
Gorgeous road and views on Blue Ridge Parkway.
The camp in Deep Creek.
I once got stuck (momentarily) on the BRP. Jacquelynn and I went for a drive out there, and her car suddenly died in the middle of the road. And we just sat in the car. Didn't know what to do. It was twilight. We didn't have cell phones back then. I thought, "I'm gonna die out on the BRP." And then, the car magically started again.
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