Hiking Around: Andrews Bald

One of my hometown friends from upstate NY came to visit this past weekend, and I loved taking her around to see the Smokies. We took the required drive around Cades Cove one day—I mean, you pretty much have to take first-timers to drive the loop because, even if I've done it dozens of times, it's still breathtaking.

Cades Cove: it never gets old.

The next day of her visit, we all hiked Andrews Bald. It was an absolutely perfect day for it—hundreds of other people also thought it would be a great day to visit Clingman's Dome! Fortunately, 99% of them hiked up to the tower and not to Andrews Bald.

I added another 3.4 miles to my Hike100 list.

The flame azaleas were just starting to flower.

 

I was practicing my new photography skills on the kids: they weren't terribly appreciative.

There is nothing like catching up with an old friend while soaking in the wide expanse of mountains and blue sky.

The Catawba rhododendrons were absolutely stunning!

The mountain laurels were just about to flower.

My beautiful girl—she's a little more cooperative about photography than her brother!

I am looking forward to many more hikes this summer! I'd like to get the vast majority of the Smokies Centennial Challenge finished by October. I'm at 39.6 miles now!

Linked up with Outdoor Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday