Smokies Spring 2018 Trip Part 3

Smokies Spring 2018 Trip Part 3 is our 2nd day in the park.   We got up REALLY early and headed to Foothills Parkway to shoot the sunrise. Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a morning person.  Tim and I weren’t impressed with the first overlook we stopped at due to it wasn’t totally facing east.  We hopped back into the car. The second overlooked had a narrower area to see the sunrise due to trees but it was much better.  And there was a farm in the valley below and what looked like a bunch of ants,  They were actually cows.  We got some great shots.  At one point, I did not fully tighten my tripod head and while I was doing a long exposure show, it slowly panned down.  Tim threatened to punch me if I got rid of the photo.  A little harsh I thought.

We headed back to the cabin where it was my turn to make breakfast.  Joe had made breakfast the day before.  I chose french toast. Tim opted out of the breakfast and had Raisin Brand cereal instead.  I tried not to take it personally.

We played a round of miniature golf in the morning before the next thing on the itinerary. Tim and I did not play as many rounds of miniature golf (or courses) as we did when he visited Myrtle Beach.  But then again, no one has as many miniature golf courses as Myrtle Beach.  I might be a bit biased but the courses in Pigeon Forge were not as good as the ones at home and me saying that has absolutely NOTHING to do with my crappy play.

This is where the trip takes a bizarre turn.  Both guys wanted to get haircuts.  No idea why they had not done it before coming on vacation. Who gets a haircut while on vacation?  After finishing the round of golf, we had about 45 minutes and it was lunchtime so we stopped at Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  I eat there so much that I am going to turn into a chicken nugget but their food is so good.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

We played one more round of miniature golf before heading to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.  It is great place, the Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls hikes are on this trail. Unfortunately Rainbow Falls trail was closed for trail rehabilitation.  You need to get to the Grotto Falls parking lot first thing in the morning to get a spot so we didn’t do either. I had done the Grotto Falls Hike when I was there in October last year.  Luckily, there is a great place to photograph right off the road which is where we went.

Joe made barbecue chicken on the grill using the barbecue sauce I had bought at Park Grill on Sunday.

COMING UP ……..The Hike from HELL!!! aka Ramsey’s Cascades