Backpacking the Smokies

This past weekend I had an adventure with my daughter in the Great Smoky Mountains. We went on our first backpacking trip together with a guide from The Blue Ridging Hiking Co.  I have not been backpacking since I was about 12 years old, which was a LONG time ago, think 1970’s. Man has the equipment changed, for the BETTER!! The packs are lighter, the bags compress smaller and the food is tastier. I even enjoyed Momma's Mammoth Munch on the trail.

This trip was much needed after spending the last 6 months in some form of COVID isolation. We were able to get away from the craziness of the news cycle, the tension of being in a quarantined city and broke out into the beautiful rainforest of the Smokies. We did 3 days of hiking and 2 nights of camping, by the babbling cool mountain streams, nature’s own sound machine. We woke to rainstorms in the middle of the night. We huddled under shelter enjoying post dinner time conversations about books, movies and life. 

We saw deer, hummingbirds, salamanders, millipedes, snails, slugs, just missed seeing a bear and a spectrum of fungi all over the forest floor. We enjoyed discovering natures wonders in the forest. We ended our hike with a view of a spectacular waterfall, sore muscles, smelly, bug bitten bodies. However I know we will do this again. 

I highly recommend taking the time to get out in nature. Take a break from the craziness of life to slow down, take in the smell of our big blue beautiful planet.  It will not only help your soul but also your body.