solar eclipse & great smoky mountains national park.
we headed to tennessee last month to make sure we were in the path of totality for the solar eclipse. i should clarify - james wanted to make sure we were in the path of totality for the solar eclipse. i thought it was overkill - i've seen partial solar eclipses before and really didn't think a couple minutes of totality it would be that different or worth it. the morning of the eclipse, we arrived early at a rest stop off the 75, and basically sat around for HOURS while james stood in the sun taking photos.
however, i have no problem admitting when i'm wrong, and when totality hit, it was like a light switch went off and it was the most incredible, indescribable experience. we are already planning to go see the total solar eclipse in argentina in 2019! (though to be honest, buenos aires might be a bigger draw for me personally than the eclipse.... *wink*)
totality.
"diamond ring" as totality ended.
regardless of how the eclipse went though, we were just within a couple hours of great smoky mountains national park so we just had to go!.
we squeezed in a short hike to grotto falls and saw lots of moss, mushrooms and crazy, looking insects on the way.
grotto falls.
ephraim bales cabin.
along the roaring fork motor trail, we also stopped to explore a well preserved log cabin and homestead from the late 1800s /early 1900s.
chimney tops.
we only got to drive through a small part of the park, but where we did drive, the roads were fun and windy and the scenery was gorgeous. and we really lucked out with the weather! blue mountains, blue skies, and puffy white clouds. our eighth national park of the year was a good one.
