Great Smokey Mountains National Park

Before venturing off to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, we started off the morning with a Southern Cookin Family Style BIG breakfast at Mama's Farmhouse in Pigeon Forge.  At Mama's you don't have a choice of ordering just one item, you are served everything Mama has fixed for breakfast that morning, and given refills if you want.  Needless to say, we were fine with the first servings even though every item was absolutely delicious. 🤗

Family tree at Mama's Farmhouse that has the name LAWSON.  Lawson's grandad was named after someone with the last name Lawson.

After filling up at Mama's, we drove through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park veering off for the scenic drive to Clingmans Dome tower.  You drive for 7 miles to the Clingmans Dome trailhead, then you hike up a very, very steep, half-mile walk up to Clingmans Dome tower and the highest point in the Smokies (6,643 feet).  Of course, on the way up they have 5 or 6 areas to stop and get your breath which is needed with the high altitude.

View of Gatlinburg below from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Icecycle formations on Clingmans Dome Road.  37 degrees.

View going to the top of Clingmans Dome trailhead.

Sections of the Appalachian Trail we walked out to.

Clingsman Dome tower from the bottom.

Clingsman Dome tower from the top with wind chill 15-20 degrees and extremely windy.