Yesterday, I got out of Memphis quite a bit later than I had planned. I think I finally got under way around noon. Originally I had planned go be underway by 9 AM so I would pull into my camp ground around 4 PM. Last night, I pulled into Cades Cove around 8:15 PM Eastern and tucked in around 10 PM. The road to hell is paved with good intention, right? I haven’t camped in some time and was rather happy at how fast things came together. I haven’t put up a tent, solo, since October 2001. Normally I try to get at least three nights out per summer. Since my divorce and temporary relocation to Tennessee, I haven’t taken the opportunity to camp due to the crazy heat and humidity we had this year. It seemed like we just skipped Spring and leaped into a never ending Summer.
As I drove into Cades Cove, I was greeted with the still air, crisp and cool. The air was laden with the smell of campfires that lay burning in various sites. This was a perfect greeting for me. Fall seems to have arrived here in the Smoky Mountains or rather it feels that way at night. Daytime temperatures are still forecast in the 70′s all week. Rain on Wednesday but otherwise, sunny and unseasonably warm during the day with cool nights. Since I arrived at nighttime, I haven’t been able to determine the vibrancy of the foliage. I hope to shoot some vibrant colored shots with my camera but I fear the colors are going to be mute this year.
Today, I plan on simply taking pictures on Cades Cove and a day hike in the afternoon. Telephone service is about 9 miles out of the park. I’ll be in touch when I can. I had to run to Townsend for some gas. It seems the traffic is ultra crazy this time of year. Who knew? 
. Apparently it can take 4-5 hours to tour Cades Cove on the weekend. I didn’t want to risk it with only a half tank, thus the reason I’m posting so early. Well the sun has just popped above the horizon. Time that I check-in with the Rangers and get my day started.
Make it a great day.
JD