Today we ventured into the great smoky mountains national park. Along with everyone else in a 10 state radius. 

We drove through the whole park but were really only able to do one hike. We hiked clingmans dome, only half a mile (not including the trek to the trailhead from the car), but very steep. The views from the tower at the top were rewarding, and we had the fun experience of standing in two states at the same time. Welcome to Tennessee! 

At the top we were privileged to witness a man proposing to his girlfriend. It wasn’t until we all clapped that we realized she was deaf. They weren’t particularly young or “beautiful,” but I cried and cried at the beauty that is human love. Love is what matters. To love enough to stand beside our fellow human beings. To use our power to protect, to support, and to uplift. To wrap our arms and our hearts around those we meet, and acknowledge the beauty of each unique human being on this earth.

Also of note, we crossed the Appalachian trail. If you’ve never heard of it, it is a 2,200 mile hike through the Appalachian mountain range, running through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. It is the longest hiking only footpath in the world. Now, I started this blog with the urging to do big things. This may be one of them in my future. We are listening to Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods in the car, and the idea fascinates me. Not all 2200 miles (which takes the average hiker 5-7 months, although only 20% will actually finish it), but maybe 300 miles, a month or so. I’ll put it up there on my dreaming shelf.

Finally, as we descended down the Tennessee side of the smokies, we encountered the most beautiful fall foliage. I thought it had all passed its prime, but these leaves were exquisite. They reminded me of beautifully colored lace. A real treat to see.