The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A blue-gray mist often hangs over the mountain peaks like smoke, which is exactly why they call them "The Smokys!" We are quite certain that most, if not all, of our faithful readers have visited this beautiful National Park at least once in their lifetime. It is, after all, listed as "America's most-visited national park" and, fortunately, it is within a day's drive from South Louisiana. Our first vacation ... In June of 1978, we were twenty-three and had never heard of Gatlinburg or the Smoky Mountains, but while trying to figure out where to go for our honeymoon, my (Bonnie) grandfather, who gave me away at my wedding, highly suggested it. Since we had no idea how to get there, Grandad gave us an atlas and highlighted the entire route. You could say his navigational skills became our very first GPS -- a Grand Parent Satellite! Paradise found ... Arriving at this beautiful...