Smokies cut short ):

We planned to visit the park again today to do a hike, visit the mill, and check out the largest waterfall in the area. 

We saw signs on the way in that said 441 was closed. That was the road to cross the park. So we were glad we had driven to the other side yesterday. 

We started out on the river trail. 

But on the way toward the ranger station, a ranger approached us to let us know that the park was closed due to coming weather. The other side of he park already had downed trees, some blocking the road and others on cars! They expected winds up to 80-85mph and were advising everyone to leave the area quickly or if that wasn't possible to find shelter and "shelter in place" to ride out the storm!

Well that was a bit disconcerting. I told her I was from California and we do earthquakes with no advanced notice so I needed some advice - do we head back and hang out at our campsite 8 miles away, or do we need to pack up the trailer and head out? Of course, she said to head to the camper and ask at the campground what we should do. 

The kids had finished their junior ranger so I told them to run back to check in before the visitor center closed. So they ran, and somehow got in through a door someone had left unlocked. Oops. Since they were inside, the ranger let me in even though they were closed and I got to listen to her calling all the visitor centers around North Carolina (who send people to the park) telling them that the national park was officially closed as of noon. 

It was a little eerie being the only ones there by the time we left, but we knew we had a little time before the storm would hit. We drove back to Jellystone and asked at the office. They said they hadn't heard anything and to just make sure we put in our awning in case of high winds. 

So we did. And made lunch and hunkered down in the "Rec Room" for some yogi movies and games to wait out the storm... that did not come. 

After a couple hours, we decided to run up to the falls we had planned to see. They weren't inside the park and in fact were only 2 miles from camp. 

The 180' falls were beautiful. 

It was a little hike to the viewing bridge, but nobody was too winded - as exhibited by their climbing all over the falls!

Sy was so funny - he just had to touch falling water - and he found a way. 

It was still pleasant, so the older boys and I walked back on the 2mile path to camp while Scott drove the road with the youngers. 

When we got back the boys decided to rent these 4-wheelers while the youngers played a nature/rafting game on Xbox. (I guess it's the next best thing to being outside.)

When the rain finally came, it was a mist. Then overnight we got a good rain. But we never got the wind. We were camping on the Cherokee reservation and I think these native Americans chose their land wisely. (: