Visiting and hiking National Parks is my humans goal to a happy life. I love that I am part of this family because they make sure to include me at all times. This year, my humans decided to take me to visit Great Smokey Mountain National Park even though they have already hiked it way back in 2013.
This is the second time I am visiting North Carolina.
The first visit was for Christmas Vacation of 2021 in Benner Elk, we stayed at Grandfather Campground RV Park. This vacation was the best! We decorated the RV for Christmas and we had a cool tree with many presents underneath for me. At last, I had the best Christmas Eve with mom and dad eating turkey legs that dad cooked on the grill.
Anyways, enough about Christmas and lets focus on my hiking adventure. On the first day, we went to explore Linville Falls, which had three different sections and of course we explored all three. The first section was only 0.5 miles which you could see the upper falls, the second was another 0.7 miles further which was called the Chimney view, the further we went the wet and rockier it got. The last was Erwin’s View which was 0.8 miles further and difficult with rocks that were getting bigger and bigger. My daddy had to carry me a couple of times until we made it all the way up to see the waterfalls. Totally WORTH IT! The second waterfalls we went to explore was called Otter Falls. This was a easy hike just 0.9 miles with water access, I wish it was summer time so I could go swimming.
The second day we went exploring Cone Manor to Bass Lake Trail which was suppose to be this easy 1 mile hike around a beautiful lake with a gorgeous big white house view. Instead, we went to explore more and more in this beautiful park and got LOSTTTTT! We ended the hike with 7.5 miles but had the best time finding our way back. Well, my humans were relying on my nose to find the way home but thank god my daddy is a cop, and found the way. Since we had to celebrate our survival, we went to visit Blowing Rock which was only 0.5 mile hike, it was cool but crowded. We ended the day by eating delicious burgers from a restaurant called Timberlake’s with the coolest walk to a lake view and areas for humans and friends to sit. The last day to hike we took it easy, we hiked Price Lake by Blowing Rock which was only 3.2 miles. I got to explore the creek and sniff many deer feet it was awesome.
I am so lucky to have had this cool once in a life time type of Christmas. Also, I was a good girl because I got so many presents.
Check out the trip pictures on my Instagram:
Now, this second time visiting North Carolina was specifically for Great Smokey Mountain National Park. My humans booked a bed and breakfast place that was very dog friendly name McKinley Edwards Inn in Bryson City, NC.
The first morning was the best, my humans took me to the visitor center for GSMNP in Cherokee and it was crowded with elk.
I couldn’t believe my nose. I smelled something new and exciting!
The first hike was an easy 2.7miles path with elk close by (50ft minimum) called Ocanluftee River Trail. I had a great time sniffing and getting closer to the creek to get my paws wet. I was such a good girl even when the elk was present. My humans rewarded me by promoting me as a Bark Ranger for Great Smokey Mountain National Park. I was on a mission!!!!
After the hike, we drove through the national park and stopped at every sight seeing or every time my humans saw snow. I had a pawsome time jumping on white snow and trying to bite it!
We ended the trip by hiking the town of Cherokee NC. It is beautiful full of different kinds of bears that do not move and are colored with weird colors! The stores are dog friendly and I was welcomed everywhere.
I will definitely return to North Carolina for the smelly elk and clear mountain smell.