Let's Go

July Long Weekend

Whenever a long weekend is there, you have to go somewhere. It doesn't matter where, but somewhere. At the end, the destination never matters but the journey. I have always cherished it. We thought the same and visited The Great Smoky Mountains. The Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The sprawling landscape encompasses lush forests and an abundance of wildflowers that bloom year-round. Streams, rivers and waterfalls appear along hiking routes that include a segment of the Appalachian Trail. An observation tower tops Clingmans Dome, the highest peak, offering scenic views of the mist-covered mountains.

On the way...@ Rest Area

Before I get lost in the greenery of Smoky, let me tell you about our plan. It was in the air, like any other plan. I always say until unless we reach the destination, plan is always in air. It can change. I was also not much excited about the plan so didn't paid much attention to it until the last. When there were few weeks left, I took my favorite coat of manager and started gathering everyone. There were 2 boys(me and Sandy) and 1 girl(Mata) in the beginning, 1 guy(Mania) was confused. Soon we got one more kid girl and silentor also joined in the end. So we had super six players ready to rock the boat. These people names depicts their identity. If you want to know more, just check out their FB profiles.

I booked a Chevy traverse-a medium suv enough for 7 people. I was showing the same to one of my colleague and he showed me a better option, it was to book a van. Since the price was almost same, in fact Dodge Grand caravan was cheaper and bigger than traverse, so I booked it. I must say that was a better car. It was roomie which is the best part, next it had sliding doors. So you can keep the doors open and roam around. Also those doors were remotely operated-just awesome. Thanks to colleague for advising such a nice car.

We packed lots of food, 6 foodie in the car and started our car towards The Great Smoky Mountains. The worst thing about driving in big states like Illinois is tolls. If you pay them or note their no, its ok. Just in case if you forget to note the plaza no.s it becomes pain. Our crew was so smart that they noted the no. but lost the paper where they note it down. I don't get the point how come today's generation still use paper/pen when they have smart phones.

Anyways we started bit late and hence reached motel by morning. Everyone was so tired that we hit the bed as soon as we can. We woke up by afternoon and then finally went to our first pitstop Clingmans Dome.