47 Parks
The Wild Cave tour in Mammoth Caves was extraordinary! To start off, I had to gear up in a full-body coverall suit, bandanna, helmet, headlamp, gloves, and knee pads. I knew from the get-go that I would be embarking on an epic mission. For the next 6 hours, I crawled, squeezed, and hiked my way … Read more
47 Parks
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47 Parks
A couple noteworthy things happened during my last 24 hours in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
First of all, I met Trevor. He is only 2 parks away from visiting every single national park. That’s incredible! I was able to ask him a ton of questions about his journey thus far and gleam some … Read more
47 Parks
Cades Cove is a pretty neat little place. Long before the Smokies were established as a national park, settlers moved into the valley and created homesteads. Life was difficult, but these folks sure knew how to work hard, build community, and enjoy life in the mountains. Their daily routines revolved around feeding their families, heeding … Read more
47 Parks
It’s been a little over a month since I said goodbye to “normal” civilization, packed up a lifetime supply of Clif Bars, and moved permanently into a home that is 30 square feet. I can’t help but reflect back on how I’ve adapted to a completely different lifestyle. Has it been as fun as a … Read more
47 Parks
I couldn’t resist a 2-hour drive from Knoxville to check out this hip little city. Chattanooga boasts some of the most gorgeous city parks, trendy boutiques, quaint … Read more
47 Parks
For 5 days in a row, I spent most of my waking moments in the great outdoors. After averaging about 6 miles of hiking a day, it’s incredible how accustomed I became to being in nature. I appreciated the solitude that comes from hours of meandering and exploring through the woods.
And so it felt … Read more
47 Parks
The Smokies are perfect for those seeking deliciously satisfying views. There are numerous drives, hikes, and strolls that take you to fabulous summits.
A popular destination within the Smokies is Clingman’s Dome. It’s a simple half-mile walk up a paved inclined trail that lands you at the base of an observation tower. On Monday, I … Read more
47 Parks
No, I’m not talking about that convenient spigot full of fluoride-infused water that most Americans take for granted – I’m talking about rivers, streams, runs, brooks, creaks, and “cricks”. Great Smoky National Park is full of running water, flowing rapidly (yet sometimes leisurely) from the mountain crests.
I’ve been pretty spoiled to be able to … Read more
47 Parks
This trip has been an onslaught of new experiences. Even removing the national parks from the equation, I have seen and done more interesting things in just 3 short weeks than I ever thought possible.
Whether it was suffering through 120 decibels of bird screeches at an aviary or stumbling upon a tiny diner that … Read more