We checked out of the Ramada on a beautiful Friday morning. We snapped a few pictures around the cute fall display at the hotel.
We thought it would be really cool to see the highest point in Tennessee: Clingman's Dome. Since we've been studying North America and looking at each state, we like to learn which state has the highest elevation. It was just too perfect that we were driving directly past the route to get to Clingman's Dome. (However, apparently every other tourist within a few miles of Pigeon Forge thought it would be cool to see also.) We drove up this long winding road slowly getting higher and higher. The views were gorgeous and we were making good time. Then, we stopped. Literally, we just sat in a long line, with no sign of the beginning and wondered how far we were from the top. Of course, as you sit in a long line of cars on the side of a mountain, you realize that you have few options. We could try to turn around (which we observed other cars doing). It looked dangerous and there weren't a whole lot of places with enough room to turn around. We could wait it out- but who knew how long that was going to take?! Of course, if you're trapped in your car, you immediately feel like you have to go to the bathroom-because you can't! Thankfully this was just mine and Nick's problem and the kids were perfectly content to eat snacks and watch Andy Griffeth on the tv. We decided to go ahead and attempt to get to the top. It took us over an hour.
When we got to the top, we saw why the drive up had taken so long. There is a small parking lot, with limited spaces and lots of rubber neckers just taking their time. Thankfully, we found a parking spot, grabbed our jackets and got out of the car. We immediately noticed a long line of people waiting to use what can only be described as 4 modified port-a-pottys. We couldn't wait to get in line to use those!
We started hiking up the trail, and the views were absolutely gorgeous! We were up so high!
All the kids worked hard, but we did have one major complainer and one that had to pee so bad that we let him go in the woods just off the trail.
The dome was so cool looking! it looked sorta like a space craft with it's round viewing deck and it's long stem base.
There was a winding path that took us up to the top. Many things began to pucker as we walked up and felt the powerful wind moving us to the top.
When we reached the top, it was incredible looking out at the mountains. However, I couldn't really get too comfortable with looking around. I felt like I needed to hold onto a rail. And, neither Nick nor myself wanted to spend too much time up there. The wind was gusting and the whole dome seemed to slightly sway with the force of it.
I don't think the kids were terribly impressed with the whole thing.
Look at that spectacular view!!! It really was cool looking out at everything and being so high up. Visiting Tennessee's highest point (6,643 ft) has made us want to visit Georgia's and any other state's that we have the pleasure of visiting.
Tennessee- it's been a pleasure! Hope to see you again next year!
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