Spring Break Trip - Day 3

I woke up at 0700 (while Mollie slept) and left the hotel (didn't have to drive) at 0730. It was another beautiful day and I hiked SOBO out of town. Like yesterday, the trail was a steady climb above the town. Great views from the ridge and the train whistles echoed spectacularly. Birds were loud and active and a deer crossed the trail as I passed. Soon, it was very quiet and I almost forgot that I needed to get back to the car and resume my chauffeur duties. There hadn't been any cell service for nearly two days (awesome). Encountered NoBO thru hikers all morning. The last half mile of the outbound was downhill and I found a small (two person) cemetery at the gap. When I turned around at the Deer Park Shelter, I met up with a group of five section hikers. They were carrying heavy backpacks and I followed them for about a mile and we chatted about the AT in the area. As the sun rose higher, the temperatures increased (glad I started early). When the trail started downhill again, I passed them and made great time to the hotel (1015, ~6.5 miles). Mollie was ready to go by the time I got back (1015). We drove (US-25/US-70) back into Tennessee this afternoon and had a nice lunch at the A&W in Newport (1130). We followed US-321 to Gatlinburg, where we got a gas fillup (1255). Just on the east side of town (and the edge of Great Smoky Mountain National Park), Mollie and I decided to ride horses ("Little Red" and "Tiny Tim") at the Smoky Mountain Riding Stables (NPS site). We started at 1300 and it was a great afternoon on the trail - we saw a tom turkey showing off his tail feathers and a tree with deep bear claw marks. The sure footed horses carried us over several streams and kept us away from the edges of steep ravines. Mollie was in heaven and we got some great pictures. After we were done riding, we drove through Gatlinburg, which was mobbed with people, and saw stark evidence of the 2016 fire. Continued to Sugarland Visitors Center at the entrance of GSMNP. Our next stop was the summit of Clingman's Dome (over 6000'). In addition to enjoying the spectacular views of the valleys below, we walked a stretch of the AT (1530) that I'd last hiked back in October 1994 (dying to come back and make some new tracks...). We coaxed ol' Bessie down the steep hill again and decided to look for a place to stay to the north of the park. Saw more evidence of the forest fire - yikes... Pigeon Forge turned out to be a great choice for three nights in the area - much less busy. We checked into Rodeway near the south end of the "strip". Ate an amazing dinner at the Old Mill Restaurant (family style Southern Comfort Food) at 1900 and played a game of catch in a nearby park before the sunset. We went back to the hotel and I teleworked for an hour. Then we watched TV and read books before bed (2245). More fun tomorrow in the Smokies! AT Today = 3.14 miles / G.T. AT = 901.96 miles