A Small Sample of the Great Smokies

Recently, we were able to attend the twentieth annual Winter Worship and Workshop in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is an event we enjoy as we get to hear great encouraging preaching and wonderful singing, as well as be in the mountains. With morning and evening sessions, we have the afternoons to go hiking and explore the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

Two years ago, when we went, the weather was quite rainy and dismal, but we went hiking anyway. Chimney Top Overlook trail was a long hike up a mountain, and once we made it to the overlook all we saw was fog, fog, and more fog! The hike was still beautiful though. Walking over the bridges that adorned the creeks gave me a sense of awe and amazement at all that water flowing full force.

This year was quite different, with the weather being in the sixties and so sunshiny. We went hiking both afternoons and invited a few friends to go with us. The more the merrier! 

The first day we went to Laurel Falls. The view is so pretty all along the way and the bridge and waterfall at the top is a nice relaxing place to sit and soak in the surroundings as you see and hear the water cascading down the boulders.

The next day, the trail we were planning to go on was closed. Rainbow Falls trail, about five miles round trip, was nearby, but we only had a set amount of time. Nevertheless, we started our trek. Up, up, and up the trail wound. We chugged along laughing, talking and taking in the amazing view.

 

The higher we got, the colder, windier, and muddier it got. Feeling as if we should be almost there, a person on their way back down said it was fifteen minutes more. The next person said forty-five minutes! 

Not knowing how much farther we had to go, we kept going. Hiking up takes a lot of stamina and there is a seemingly significant difference between a mile and a mountain mile. Whew!

Worth the hike, we arrived at the beautiful sight of Rainbow Falls surrounded by patches of snow and ice. We rested at the top, explored some, took pictures, and enjoyed our victory.

The hike down was unbelievably faster than our ascent, but the mud was very slick, and we were cold. Sitting down and snacking from the basket Mama had sent was welcomed. In the end, we made it back to the convention center with just fifteen minutes to spare!

The trip we took was a memorable one. We were encouraged by the preaching, we enjoyed the singing and music, and we explored a sampling of the grandeur of the Great Smoky Mountains. We all had a wonderful time.

~Jayla