There is a traffic light in Gatlinburg that seriously has to be one of the most congested places on the face of the earth. And Ive been to India! It is just crazy disruptive as you roll down out of the hills and try to turn onto the main drag towards Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We had screwed the day before with the traffic. So we decided on an strategy. It required an early rise, but sometimes sacrifices need to be made.
Gatlinburg is a funny place. Having been created virtually out of nothing back in 1945. Coincidently we were visiting on its 75th anniversary. I noted to my mom that she was older than the town itself. She grumbled in rebellious recognition. There had originally only been a small settlement at the location. However, after Great Smokey Mountains National Park was officially dedicated by FDR in 1940, the town grew and sprawled in reaction to the sheer amount of visitors to the new park.
As we entered the park we saw an electric signboard saying dense fog advisory. This made no sense since where we were felt like a beautiful Indian summer sunny day.
We were however going up to Clingmans Dome, the second highest peak in the Eastern United, so we would keep that advisory in mind. Truth be told I was more worried how my car would handle the ascent, than any foggy drifts.
All during our days in the park we across long rows of parked cars along the road. Alongside these cars was always a parade of people marching in search of some desired spot or trail. Mom thought these people were nuts. In fact she began saying that the park should advertise Highly Accessible Astonishingly Crazy People Tours to see these people in their natural habitat. They certainly would be easier to spot then the black bears and they could also reliably be found on both sides of the road!
After rumbling through what was familiar forest scenery, we finally reached the turnoff for the route up to the Dome. The road kept going up and up and round and round. Once we were on it, there really was no turning around. We just had to keep on going hell or high water. The blind switchbacks in the road were sharp
The name I had given my car upon purchase was Baron von Zoom. I now began to worry that this might be the Barons last journey. The ascent was getting ridiculous while the temperatures began to drop precipitously. All the while the day was getting darker and darker. With no other choice, we kept driving on that road which was twisty to the nth degree. I knew we might be pushing our luck when our car was pushing through actual clouds.Somehow by the grace of God we made it to the top. Once there, we were met by a wall of white. No views here. The air temperature had fallen It was so cold that I had to scramble around to find a wool ski cap for Mom. It was even difficult to see people just a short distance away. People would wander in and out of our vision, as in and out of smoke. With what was going on the world, the scene felt vaguely
In the guidebooks there had been mention of a manmade tower there to climb up. Mom had barely been up for this, but that
was before we were told by a ranger that the tower was still farther along an uphill paved path. This was a bridge to far for Mom. She is game for lot things, but being an octogenarian long sustained walks were no longer in her wheelhouse. She decided to head back to the car to read up on Clingmans Dome and the surrounding area instead. I would be making the climb solo.
I had to be sure to make it there and back in quick time though. Didnt want wait too long and return to see a frozen mother in the passenger seat. It was a long hard slog up the paved road. Unencumbered by slower party members and with the advantage of my long legs I was able to reach the tower in about 10 minutes of fast walking. I was rocketing past people, but at the same time was finding myself increasingly out of breath. I am not sure if it was the altitude or what, but my ears kept popping due to the pressure.
