Shaconage

The Cherokees named these mountains shaconage meaning blue like smoke. We thought the Smokey Mountains was a better name I guess. I like shaconage, but then again I like Denali in Alaska better then Mt. McKinley. We Americans seem to be famous for renaming. Saw this in Europe over and over, the most famous being Cologne which is not even close to the German Koln. Anyway enough said about renaming.


The Smokeys are the most visited National Park in America, far outnumbering the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. A ranger told us it was because there is such a large population here in the east. Not sure that is it totally. I think all the tourist oriented strip malls outside the park bring them in. Anyway, now is the time to have the park to yourself. Wonderful roads climbing from the entrance at 2,000 feet to over 5,000 where Suzy and I started hiking on the AT (Appalachian Trail). We decided not to do all 2,174 miles of the AT today so we did 5. The AT winds some 70 miles through the park and is the border line between Tennessee and North Carolina. I have no idea how many times we crossed and recrossed the border in our five mile hike. We did ride the beginning 20 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway also. We had done the first 100 miles of the northern end late in October. Some genius had so much foresight in putting these roads in. What an amazing ride without any signs or businesses or anything except you and the views.

We loved the trees in the Smokeys, I am sure that is why they are called the Great Smokeys. 85% of the NP was formerly owned by the timber companies and 65% of that was logged but it still leaves some old growth. Majestic stands of Fraser Fir, red spruce, maples, basswood, yellow buckeye, Carolina silver bell, beech, yellow birch, yellow poplar, magnolia, hickory, eastern hemlock, flowering dogwood (Carolina state tree), eleven species of oak and five species of pine all make up one of the world’s most diverse plant communities. And throughout it all was our favorite NW wild rhododendrons. They were everywhere and thriving. Getting 55 inches of rainfall annually is probably the main reason for the rhodies success.

So its back to Chapel Hill today to settle in for another spell.  Have to admit it took a small stick of dynamite to pry Suzy out for this trip.  She is liking staying in one spot for an extended period.  Can't let her roots get too deep or we will never get to Florida in January.