At The Edge Of The Smokies Is Old Dad's

With all that has gone on the week I almost forgot about a blog on my visit to Old Dad's General Store...better late than never. It has been around a week ago since Deb and I hiked the Gatlinburg Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Once we left the park we stopped in at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) Gatlinburg. Across the street I spotted Old Dad’s. I had seen this place before on my visit to NOC and had thought about crossing the street, because Old Dad’s had a "Beer Cave" and I was curious what they had. So, I decided to cross the road and see what Old Dad’s had to offer. If you don’t know NOC and Old Dad’s sit at the edge of the GSMNP. From NOC you can see the start of the Gatlinburg Trail. 

Where we hiked is...

...right across the road from NOC.

Old Dad's (left & NOC (right) from Gatlinburg Overlook.

So, Old Dad’s offered a lot of items that campers entering the park might need. I would say that this is also a stop for Appalachian Trail thru-hiking (that might be why there is a sign that says you can’t have an open beer). Speaking of beer they really didn’t have a great selection in the cave, but the thing that caught my eye was the grill. 

Old Dad's mascot.

Inside the General Store.

So, I went back over to NOC and see if Deb wanted to give it a try and since she was as hungry as me she was game. So, the menu had a nice selection from breakfast to sandwiches, but both Deb and I settled on hamburgers. I got the double burger with Swiss cheese and we split an order of fries, which was a good thing because it was pretty good size. I must say I was pleasingly surprised. The French fries were really good, but the best part was the burger. While maybe not the best burger of all-time it was pretty damn good. I will say that this is a place I would visit again anytime. So, if you find your self at the far end of Gatlinburg, before you head into the Smokies, give Old Dad’s a try.

The Deli/Grill...

...& my burger and half an order of fries.

It Is Mid-April & It Is Beard Blog Time

Spring is in full swing and since it is mid-April I decided it is time for a new Beard Blog. One of the reason I haven’t done one lately is because I really had done much until the last week or so. When I posted the last Beard Blog at the end of March I was still recovering from the crud and as happens every spring my allergies hit and this year with a vengeance. But I have gotten to a spot where my allergies have been elevated to the point that I finally could do some hikes. My first outing was a four-mile hike with me Dad near the Cabin in Southwest Virginia. Then I hit the Smokies three times in six days. The first two, last Wednesday at Cades Cove on the Rich Mountain Loop and then Friday on the Gatlinburg Trail. These two helped me complete the Hike the Smokies Challenge for the 100-mile pin. Then Monday, I hit the Smokies High Country with a out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald Shelter. So, I have been busy of late, so I am just getting around to trimming my beard. Well with that said we are now two days short of 600 at 598 and 85 weeks...and counting!

Day 586: By a Poplar Tree in SW Virginia

Day 590: On the Rich Mtn. Loop in GSMNP

Day 592: Hiking to get my pin

Day 595 on Top of the Smokies at Clingmans Dome

Day 598

Left

Right

Below

100 Miles And Hiking

For anyone out there who reads this blog and wonders...why so many hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP)? Now everyone has there answer, I had to get my first Hike the Smokies mileage pin.

The Hike the Smokies Challenge allows anyone who hits the trail in the park to catalog their outings. To receive ones first pin you have to hike 100 miles in the GSMNP. That is different trails or the same one it all counts. Then there are pins for completing 250 miles and finally 500. I first heard about the Hike the Smokies Challenge in late 2014. I got my brochure to catalog my hikes at the Sugarlands Visitor Center (they cost $1) now I had to catalog my hikes. I decided to just count the ones I had done since I got back into hiking in 2013. I had hiked (& camped) in the Smokies when I was in college, but I don’t remember the specifics of these outings. 

So, the first hike I counted was a trip in June of 2013 to Clingmans Dome. In my first two years I did a combined 8 miles in the park. But last year I pounded out over 50 miles, including hikes to Charlies Bunion (twice), Chimney Tops, Mount LeConte and Mount Cammerer. Now in 2016, I had hiked over 40 miles through the first three months (& I was laid up for half of March with the crud).

Clingmans Dome - 2013...

...& the start of the challenge!

My second visit to Charlies Bunion in February, 2016.

August, 2015 on the Chimneys.

Also in August at Mt. LeConte.

Mt. Cammerer Lookout in October of 2015.

Since I was in the home stretch I had two hikes two days apart in the Smokies to put me over the top for the first 100 mile pin. The first, was on the Rich Mountain Loop in Cades Cove, this 8.5-mile hike put me at 99 miles, one from my pin. Since Deb want to go to Gatlinburg on Friday we decide to do a short hike on the four-mile Gatlinburg Trail, which got me across the finish-line. So, when I got back to Sugarlands I got my pin.

Almost there on the Rich Mountain Loop...

...by the time I was here I had crossed the finish-line.

Back to Sugarlands...

...to get my booklet signed...

...& get my pin (Pete said he carried me for the whole 100 miles)!

I must mention that my motivation in 2016 is two-fold. Beside the Hike the Smokies Challenge there is another one, well two to be precise. For those who don’t know this is the Centennial year of the National Park Service. In celebration different parks are having Centennial Challenge - Hike 100. The one for the Smokies is to hike 100 miles in the park from January 1 to December 8, 2016. Just like the Hike the Smokies Challenge one can hike the 100 miles on different trails or the same one. If you complete the challenge a special pin will be awarded on December 8 and you can pick it up at the Park's Hike 100 Celebration...how cool! 

For those who don’t know the Appalachian Trail (AT) is a National Scenic Trail and under the management of the Park Service. That means there is a AT Hike 100 Challenge. To complete the challenge one must hike a 100 miles, but unlike the Smokies Challenge only one hike must be on the AT while the other miles can be clocked on any trail. That means my Smokies hikes count here too. If you complete the 100 miles then you earn a sticker (see picture). So, as you might guess challenges expected! 

So if you want to take these challenge here are the links for more information.
Hike the Smokies Log
Smokies Centennial Challenge - Hike 100

AT Hike 100

Hiking The Smokies High Country In Thru-Hiking Season

Today, Monday I found myself in the High Country of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). I usually don't hike on Monday’s, but with this kind of weather over the last few days I couldn’t resist. When I got to Clingmans Dome (where the hike starts) I knew I had made the right choice as the view was incredible!

I will have a more detailed Day Blog on this hike, but on this 10.5 mile outing I crossed the summit of four peaks over 5,500 feet (Clingmans Dome – 6,643 feet, Mt. Buckley – 6,582 feet, Jenkins Knob – 5,564 feet & Silers Bald – 5,607 feet), two shelters (Double Springs Gap & Silers Bald) and an area called the Narrows. I also passed plenty of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. That wasn’t all there were plenty of wildflowers, especially Spring Beauties.

 I ended the hike back at Clingmans Dome. On the drive back I made a stop at Newfound Gap.

Day Hiking & Other Things In The Smokies

Today, Deb and I went to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). There we hiked the four-mile out-and-back Gatlinburg Trail. I also got my Smokies 100-Mile Pin (more to come later). Then we went to Gatlinburg and drove through the Rod-Run in Pigeon Forge. I will have a GSMNP Day Hike Blog on the Gatlinburg Trail soon.

GSMNP Day Blog @ Rich Mountain Loop In Cades Cove

Went out for my first long hike since falling ill. Hiked the 8.5 mile Rich Mountain Loop in Cades Cove which included a visit to the John Oliver Cabin. More to come later.