Day 4 - Newfound Gap, Clingman's Dome, Gaitlinburg, Cades Cove by Car

Family picture attempt number 1...didn't quite work.

A cute picture with Maddie at the gap.

Today was our only official planned hike.  We stopped at the Newfound Gap as the scene is always changing based on the clouds/sun.  We attempted to get a family picture for the Christmas Card but I'm not sure we found the perfect one yet.  The original plan was to hike 'Andrews Bald' out of the Clingman's Dome area. We had read the dome was closed, but we were excited to find out it was actually open upon arrival.  We scrapped the other hike and walked up to the Dome instead.  It was a steep 1/2 mile walk up a paved path.  The view was great and the air finally smelled crisp and "moutainy".  Lucy made some new friends to hike with on the way down.  We tried to find a different trail downward but had to turn around when we were bush-whacking.

Hiking up to Clingmans Dome (Lucy is using her new piggyback rider.

Another storm was due to roll in, so we decided to get out before getting wet. On our way back down from the gap, we saw 3 bears close to the road!  One was even climbing in a tree.  The rain began while Charlie was napping, so we took a drive along the Roaring Forks Motor Nature trail.  This was a one way road in a mostly forested area.  We passed many drenched hikers and were glad not to be among them.

A very cloudy view on the way up to the top.

Blazing a trail.

Deciding to turn around and head back the other way.

Lucy's new group of hiking friends.

Clingman's Dome from down below.

What a view!

Lucy was all tuckered out from walking up by herself!  She needed a break (and often just plops right down where she pleases).

A bear cub climbing the tree.

We drove into Gatlingburg in time for a late lunch and decided to try out "Five Guys".  Isaac and Kerry got burgers with all the fixins.  A small burger is one patty and a regular burger is 2 patties.  We got plenty full.  We enjoyed some mountain music at the Moonshine Company while Isaac sampled some moonshine and found a jar to buy.  Lucy tried some cotton candy ice cream.

After lunch it was time for nap #2 and this time both kids fell fast asleep.  We decided to drive through Cades Cove to scope out what we would be biking the next day.  Traffic was creeping along at about 5 mph, so Maddie and Kerry opened up the sun roof and hung out around the rooftop for a sunny and warm vantage point.  We saw several people riding on top of their vehicles or out the windows too.  Unfortunately, Charlie woke up before the tour was complete and was VERY angry for at least 45 minutes.

Kerry and Maddie enjoying Cade's Cove from the sunroof!

Isaac also getting a turn through the roof!

So much rain had fallen while we were gone for the day that many campsites were drenched.  Our screened porch tent had fallen and we forgot to close our tent vent, so our sleeping bags were extra damp for the night.  Maddie and Kerry decided to view the fireflies one more time.  The conditions were very wet and it ended up being and foggy and minimally impressive showing for the flies.   Maddie tried out her photography skills, but it was very difficult to capture the lightshow!