Glad to be back....

[Rob]

The Wife and I went to GSMNP for a week, stayed in one of those "luxury" rental cabins and got snowed in temporarily ( we got about 8" of snow and the jeep isn't four wheel drive, not good when perched on a Mtn. cliff) Was a great time, all things considered. Only bad thing was reminising about my favorite trails to hike. Still can't get around too well on the leg. HOWEVER, I did manage to do the Laurel Falls "hike" of 2.6 miles, very proud of myself, even though it is a paved trail, it still has some ups and downs and elevation gain, it was also pretty well covered in some snow and ice ( thank goodness for those Leki poles!). I have really missed checking on the folks at Alatrails! Got alot of catching up to do. BTW..... I'd gladly trade the the stay at the cabin for a back-country hike with the tent....BUT the time with wifey is priceless.... Happy Trails!    Rob

[Joshua Szulecki]

Hey, 2.6 miles injured isn't half bad. I'm guessing in was really pretty up there with the snow, so that's something you can look at as a benefit.

Just as a mild caution to everyone who reads this thread, be really careful with your stuff in those rental cabins, and in hotels in the area as well. I know from watching criminal court in Sevierville that a LOT of theft is going on in that area. A lot of it seems targeted at the stuff IN the cabins (like TVs), rather than visitors stuff, but the hotels do have stuff walk off a lot. All tourist areas have theft problems, and the Smokies are probably not that bad when compared to a lot of other places, but there is a false sense of security there that I know I don't have in other places.

[Rob]

Thanks Joshua...... And you are certainly right about the potential for theft. Even though it is still before the "peak" season, they would be thief will target the largely unoccupied rental cabins for big ticket items, however it will not make your gear or other personal belongings theft proof. Good tip Joshua.   BTW... I sure could use some MAJOR coaching on waterfall photography.... mine were absolutely horrific. ( Not too familiar with my camera and also no neutral density filter thingy)

[lawnmowwer]

 I am sorry to hear about your experience Jaybird. Glade you are getting back Rob. I hope to see you on the trail soon. That advice is probably good for any travel destination.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Rob,

I've sent you a PM about waterfall photography. You are right, btw, it is the unoccupied rental cabins that get nailed. Lots of plasma TV's walked off in the off-season last year.

Jaybird,

Bummer about your trip. Where was the cabin?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Jaybird,

I figured. Gatlinburg is the real hotspot for cabin breakins. People looking to steal stuff to pay for meth don't usually drive more than a short distance to do it.

You lucky, lucky individual for that impending trip. I'm going to be stuck studying for the bar June. And July. And half of May.

[Lesley]

Why do they put plasma TV's in cabins? That makes no sense to me! I guess I just assumed the point was to get away.... and back to nature...

Oh wait...never mind. My husband is reminding me that I'm a freak of nature.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Most analog TVs are supposed to be obsolete when all channels switch to digital signals soon. And the cabin rental thing is my 2nd favorite way to stay in the Smokies. Sitting in a hottub w/  a beverage in the Smokies is a great way to end a day of hiking.

[Joshua Szulecki]

"Why do they put plasma TV's in cabins?"

One reason, and one reason alone. If they didn't put the nice TV there, the weenies would stay somewhere else, like a hotel in Pigeon Forge.

The 60% of the visitors are weenies who go to the smokies don't go to visit the park. They go for the "park" called D*llyw**d, and the other kitchy attractions. They drive through a tiny segment of the park, usually the motor loop or up to Clingman's Dome, and clog up Cades Cove if they have an extra day, but don't ever get out of the car. I actually like auto-touring GSMNP about as much as hiking there (no dogs), but I'd never consider not getting out of the car in such a beautiful place.

It is so bad that when I asked how to get from my hotel to the "park" faster, they gave me directions to FREAKIN' D*LLYW**D!

[lawnmowwer]

 I wish their were more freaks of nature around.

 Jaybird that sounds like an awesome cabin.

 

[Rob]

The ol' Telly was just a plus at getting the Wife to agree to go. LOL  My whole thing was it allowed me to get close to what I enjoy doing, and that is being close to those Mtns. ( above the crowds of Gburg and the carnival like atmosphere of Pigeon Forge) Lillie, the wife, actually found great joy in getting out in the woods! She is already talking about going on some local outdoor trips with me in the spring! WooooooHoooooo! Finally gettin' somewhere with the ol' girl. Of course it helped that she got some "real" hiking stuff to wear.....and it all matched of course.   Happy trails! Rob

[lawnmowwer]

 After a few years the matching thing will disappear. You just have to start wearing things out and replacing them. One way to tell am experienced person is how little of there there junk matches and if some of it looks tattered and wornout.

[Lesley]

It was the opposite in my house.  I was the outdoorsy one. Matt thought I was a great big liar until my brother elucidated him.  The transition Matt made was remarkable. Naturally stuff had to be bought (I'd broken up with all my previous gear). And at first it all matched, but no more. As you all know Matt makes some of his own gear now and researches everything till I'm climbing walls. I'm very proud. Glad you and your wife had fun Rob, but word to wise, you may have created a monster.

[Rob]

Lesley, I am quite certain you are right . She WANTS to go to A.O. quite frequently now............. .. Hmmmmm go figure.

Lawnmowwer, You are a wise man, I think my gear is not of suitable use until it is "broke in", unfortunately most of my "junk" has been recently replaced due to necessity. So I look like the quintessential Newbie, minus the strong smell of cologne.

[lawnmowwer]

 Sounds great, but a week in the middle of summer for me is imposable. Lawncare will be at its peak (I hope). I have to make money when I can. My job is kind of like being an anti school teacher. I miss the summer trips. The good news is that I like the cool weather for packing anyway, and sense I am not a good photographer it doesn't hurt me to bad.

[Lostsheep]

Glad to hear your back Rob. Though the leg was injured, you still seemed to have a good time. That's what it's all about right?

Stick with it all and I'm sure you'll be running through the 10mi trails just as easily as the 2.6mi trails.

[Rob]

Thanks for the encouragement Lostsheep. As most of the others on this site, I really do love all of my hiking experiences, no matter how difficult or easy they are. I am looking forward to future hikes and hope to be able to join the rest of you on some of the group excursions planned for the future.  Happy Trails.......... .