Good morning, kittens & dawgs! Are you working on goals for the new year? It’s surprising in the past, I found that a number of people don’t like to do this. I, on-the-other-hand, have learned it’s a good thing to do even if I do not get everything done. I like holding myself accountable. Yesterday, I wrote One thing I want to accomplish in 2015 and from my responses it seems I struck a chord with many of you.
The weather surrounding Christmas was quite chilly, but in the days that followed our temperatures turned quite spring-like and although it was rather cloudy we ventured to the Bryson City. You may recall this is one of the mountain communities you can board the Smoky Mountain Railway and I took you there for a visit last year on WW.
As you may have figured out Bryson City is a little town in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Not far from town along Depot Street, just follow the train tracks, you’ll see a sign for Deep Creek Campground, which leads you to Deep Creek Road. This is a dead street that takes you to the edge of GSM and Deep Creek Trail Trailhead.
Gray skies hung overhead. A few light showers spattered the windshield and I was certain the clouds would give way on us once we ascended the path, but nothing materialized.
I suspected school kids and families off for the holidays would be out enjoying God’s beautiful world like us, but the trail was busier than expected on that Monday after Christmas, but we pressed on anyway. Geez, can’t we get a break? I know, I’m weird, but I’m quite comfortable in my weirdness. 
Deep Creek Trail is a 4-mile loop ranging from easy to moderate. The start of the trail was easy and wide enough to protect my personal space. lol We definitely want to go back for a longer hike. In fact, we didn’t go far this time. We went just beyond Tom Branch Falls waterfalls below (.2 miles from trailhead) before turning around to head to the car.
On our way back, I found my turtleneck and fleece hoodie was too much with temps in the mid to upper 50s. I began to glisten just a bit. Was it not winter? If so, you couldn’t prove it by me.
By the time we got back to Bryson City the mobbed streets was a sharp contrast from when we arrived. Good golly, Miss Molly! is all I could say. I don’t do crowds well, as you know, but we ventured among the crazies. Yes, people are crazy! They will climb all over you, instead of using good manners and judgment before trying to press between you and gnat.
We found a few new shops that we were dying to go inside, but that wasn’t going to happen. So, we vowed to return another time in the spring perhaps on a non-holiday weekday when we’re sure to miss a large gathering so that we may browse these little shops (and take a longer walk on Deep Creek Trail Trailhead) at our pace.
All in all, we had a wonderful time. We crossed the GSM passing through the small communities in the foothills on the Tennessee side on our way home. It was dark when we reached Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. They are beautifully decorated for Winter Festival (Nov. 12, 2014 – Jan. 25, 2015) and even though it was drizzling heavier than earlier in the day we still loved taking in the Christmasy lights.
Right now, I’m in the midst of a family crisis. Our oldest daughter, Brittany, is missing. We haven’t heard from her, since Christmas. She hasn’t reached out to her brother or sister, either. This is totally unlike her to go without a call or text. My other daughter filed a missing person’s report yesterday. Please pray, if she’s okay that she or someone she knows will see the FB posts and contact us soon with good news. Thanks so much!
There’s no featured photographer this week. However… just a reminder, each week I use random.org to pick a new photographer to share. I would like the opportunity to put your blog on display. To win a chance in the spotlight, then join the linky party below with your photographic wonder URL.
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Thank you for making me apart of your day. Have a foto-tastic day!
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Oh my goodness — I do hope all is well with your daughter. Will definitely keep her in my prayers – right now!!
That place looks just gorgeous. I would love to hike there. Visiting little shops is something I miss a lot from my single days hanging with a bunch of girl friends. I really do hope there can be more of that sort of fun and bonding in the future.
I will be back next week for WW. You are in my prayers. Hug.
The waterfall looks pure and beautiful.
I’m praying with you, Cathy.
Beautiful capture! Happy WW!
Wonderful photo!
By the way: I’m one of these persons, who don’t working on goals for new year. My experience: it doesn’t work and I’m living better without ambitious goals. It comes always very different….
Hope, your missed daughter is well.
What a beautiful shot!
It’s been mixed weather here too. It’s almost like spring. So warm! But then a hint of cold comes in every now and then.
Oh, I miss the Smokies! I didn’t get up there on my visit of late November and early December due to the issues surrounding the passing of my mother. Hopefully I’ll be able to spend some time in the mountains this summer. I hope so at least.
Lee
Tossing It Out