Recently we returned from a "High Adventure" trip to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trip was fabulous, in my opinion, and the youth seemed to have a good time.
We met at the church and loaded up early Monday morning. The trip is about 9 hours with stops and all. We got to the campsite (a local campground outside the park) and set up camp. We drove to the park visitor center at Sugarlands. There the youth were able to see exhibits on the park wildlife and terrain.
Tuesday morning we hiked to the Chimneys. This is a grueling 2 mile hike up hill. However, the views from on top are worth the effort. The boys felt like they had really accomplished something - they conquered the mountain. We ate lunch on top of the mountain.
After the Chimneys, we drove to Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Park. The day was fairly clear with a visibility range of about 40 or 50 miles. The hike to the dome is 1/2 mile up a steep paved path.
Wednesday we drove to Cades Cove and biked the 11 mile loop. The one way road that loops around the Cove is closed to motorized traffic every Wednesday and Saturday morning until 10:00 AM. We got there about 7:20 and there was already a long line of people to rent bikes from the Park. We got going about 8:00 and biked around the valley.
The wildlife and views were amazing as we biked around the park. We had rain on the drive over and on the way back, but while we biked, the skies were fairly clear. Here we see a bear cub in the foreground and the mama bear in the background. There was another cub, but he is not in the picture.
The bike trip and the hike the previous day took a lot out of the boys and they opted to scrap the hike to Abrams falls that afternoon. Instead they wanted to go back to the
campground and try out the 
waterslide. We caved into their request, but not before stopping by the Sugarlands visitor center again and making them watch a film about the park.
Wednesday night we cooked steak over the fire and baked potatoes in the coals. The meal was outstanding. Just after everything got cleaned up, a huge storm blew through. We got about an inch and a half of rain in an hour. I have seen a lot of rain storms and this one was
impressive. The boys all got under the tarp, which held up beautifully, and waited it out. The tents were pitched well and we had no problems even though there was tons of water around.
Thursday morning we went white water rafting on the Big Pigeon River. Each rafting day water is let out of a reservoir raising the river level by 3 or 4 feet, making a simple river into a raging river of class 3 and class 4 rapids. It was a first for all the boys and they loved it.
Thursday afternoon we went to Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. While in the aquarium, another huge rain storm came through, but we were all inside. The youth enjoyed the wide variety of exhibits. They got to pick up crabs and touch sting rays.
Friday morning we parked at Newfound Gap and hike 4 miles along the Appalachian Trail until we got to Charlie's Bunion. This day we got to see why they are called the Smoky Mountains. The clouds and mists flowed over the ridge tops. It was a mix of sun and cloud. We ate lunch there, seeing some great views of the Park. Again we had no rain while the activity took place.
Saturday we got up early and packed up for home. On the way home we stopped in West Virginia at the bridge that spans the New River Gorge. Once home, the boys were all talking about the trip and what they did. Memories were created to last a lifetime. That is what it is all about, right?
Total cost per person (without gas and tolls): $113. Campground fees, Rafting fees, bike rental, Aquarium fees and food costs make up that amount.
