Long roads and Black Bears

Well, we are in Tennessee now. Staying with Tiffany's Grandmother. We left the farm in Burnsville, and stopped in to see Nick in Franklin before going camping in the Smokey Mountain National Park. It was beautiful! Green and blue Mountains as far as the eye could see; filled with trees, streams, and birds. We saw a bobcat, and we almost had a close run-in with a Black Bear. We were driving thru the park looking for a good campsite, when we stopped along the side of the road and got out to take some pictures, we walked away from the road into the woods. Past a slew of boulders and fallen trees, we came upon a small streem. we rested there, and took alot of pictures. Then we felt the need to leave, and find the ranger station to get our camping permit. Just after getting inside the building, a child runs up to the front desk shouting about a Black Bear that he saw just down the road at the same location where we just were 10 minutes ago. Which tells us we left that location just before the bear got there. Later we walked along another riverbank, and jumped around from rock to rock, on the lookout for possible bears coming to drink.

We had alot of fun in the woods, but when we pulled out of the park to leave for Tennessee it was like the difference between day and night. as soon as the thick tree line disappeared, it was like being dropped right into the middle of downtown Orlando. Huge neon signs, huge moving neon signs, giant statues advertising giant gift shops, Ferris wheels, and sidewalks packed elbow to elbow with tourists clutching their sodas and ice cream cones. It was definitely a sight to to see, especially at night with all the signs and marquee's lite up. It was just completely unexpected after being in the middle of a Forrest all day. The rest of the drive wasn't bad, the traffic was just a little chaotic going threw Knoxville. We got to see the official Red Bull Nascar semi hauling the official Redbull car #9 (on their way to the next big race). We got into Gallaton around midnight, Tiffany's Uncle and Grandmother were there to greet us, and make sure we made it in safe. As soon as our heads hit the pillow, we were out cold. exhausted from the long drive.