We started off our vacation with a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

We are actually staying at the base of the park, so getting to this sign is just a few minutes away.

I have really enjoyed going through the Smoky's more than I would have imagined as I am not a nature guy, but I am still an adventurous guy.  I've been dying to see a bear but have yet to see one REAL close, despite a few close calls (detailed below).

The only downfall to the park that I have is tourist.  Speed limits from 35 to 55 and people driving 20mph!!! Enough to drive me to road rage, and frankly road rage is NOT something I struggle with.  But when a 45 minute drive from one attraction to another takes twice as long...

Our first thing to see was Laurel Falls.  It was the first sign we saw and my wife wanted to see a water fall.  So after a 1.3 mile hike, on a path that warranted this (very valid) sign:

Just in case you can't read it, it says "Danger falling deaths have occurred.  Closely control Children", then the smaller sign warns of bear attacks!  Some of the cliffs were impressively scary.  The 1.3 mile hike was a task.  Especially for our little 3 year old.  However the hike was well worth it as we were able to see this water fall, and to give a perspective of size... you are seeing about half of the top half.  There was a bottom half that was probably 30 feet down (not really accesable to people).

That was everything for Monday, other than a trip to the indoor swimming at our, um for lack of a better word, hotel.  Next came Tuesday where we decided to go back to the Great Smokey's and visit the visitor center. I asked about some of the locations of interest and two really intrigued me.

1.  The highest point in the park!  6600 feet above sea level (see picture from the top of the mountain).  This was an interesting trip.  It was a 24 mile drive from the visitor center to the location.  The drive alone was inspiring.  We kept getting higher and higher and higher and higher.  Where the slightest miscue could have easily resulted in our death!  Once you arrive at the parking location you have a half mile hike to the top of the mountain. You'd think after our 2.6 miles of hiking the day before that this would be nothing... well think again!  The lack of oxygen that high really floored me.  I had a real tough time going up a tenth of a mile without needing a break due to being winded.  But again the view was well worth the hike.

After this we went to a 23 mile nature circle that you can drive around.  I came THIS close to a bear, but I'm still not satisfied... I want to see the white in the teeth of one of these things!

Now for Wednesday.  We have been pretty low key.  Hanging out at the indoor water park, hiking a local trail (total waste of time), swimming in the outside pool.   You can see our splash down from going through a tube at the indoor park.  This is me and my oldest son.  I will say that their tubes are FAST.  I've been in my share of tubes from the Beach Water Park and Kings Island, but these things were fast.  I think its due to them using more water in their setup.

We have a lot in front of us over the next three days.  Including a 4.4 mile hike....