From Damascus, Virginia we spent 3 hours driving through Tennessee. It looks strikingly similar to Maryland, with lush foliage on either side of the highway – until we hit an over developed mess called Pigeon Forge, which we aptly named Vegas of the East. Now I haven’t been to Vegas, but I can imagine with the many hotels, motels, Titanic replicas, upside down buildings and other kitschy attractions – we had hit the tourist promise land. Pat and I quickly drove through to avoid tainting our new simplistic lifestyle. We finally arrived at our destination: Cosby Campground in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
Our home in its element
Although there were sadly no showers, the campground was very well structured and maintained. The next day we went on a long hike up to Mount Cammerer – 3,000 feet of climbing and 12-mile round trip. The trail itself was pretty steep, but we paced ourselves and even managed to see 2 black bears along the way! One female (we only caught a glimpse) and one big male high on the ridge who stared right at us. Unfortunately, these moments were quite fleeting and we didn’t have time to take pictures. Two bear sightings on day # 3 – not bad at all. When we finally reached the top, there was an old fire look-out with a 360 degree view of the Smokies – breathtaking! We ate our much deserved lunch, enjoyed the views, signed the guest book and headed back down. See below some pictures from the hike.
Hiking up towards the AT
The trail crossed a beautiful stream, in which we dunked ourselves after the hike to cool off.
Caro looking out for fires
The Mt. Cammerer lookout
Hike slow and you'll be amazed what you find
All packed up and ready to go.
viaje al sur 
The car tent is awesome!
By: Patrick on August 11, 2009
at 5:35 pm
Hi Pat and Caroline! Thanks for the eMail with the link to the blog. I want to follow your journey, I’m envious!
By: Philip on August 11, 2009
at 5:40 pm
What the heck is that tent! Amazing that someone even thought of that. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying the trip. Don’t forget Graceland in Memphis!
By: Tobin on August 11, 2009
at 5:44 pm
The smokies are great place, especially on the Townsend side of the park. It is funny you say Piegon Forge looks like Vagas because Lindsay and I thought the same thing when we went a few years ago. Have Fun!!!
By: Mike Sanford on August 11, 2009
at 5:46 pm
It’s great to be able to follow your journeys. Thanks for staying in touch as you are on the road.
By: JAnet Krones on August 11, 2009
at 5:46 pm
Caroline it looks like an awesome trip already!!! And sadly, yes Pigeon Forge is like a mini vegas! Good thing you didn’t go all the way to Gatlinburg, it gets worse. Enjoy your trip 🙂
By: Stephanie Musson on August 11, 2009
at 5:50 pm
So glad to see you are blogging! Luke asked if he could take a nap in Uncle Pat’s tent after reading your post.
By: Andrea on August 11, 2009
at 6:02 pm
Sweet. Keep the post coming!
By: Jesse Von Fange on August 11, 2009
at 6:18 pm
Viva Tejas! Hey ya’ll. I was wondering how you were going to make it from Tennessee to Austin so quickly on bicycles! Looks like you’re starting off well on a grand adventure. Can’t wait to see you this weekend.
Robin
By: Robin on August 11, 2009
at 6:30 pm
I love the tent of top of the jeep. I’ve been back for less than a month and already I feel like getting back on the road. I’ll be living ‘through’ your adventure this year, you inspired me for my first trip… who knows, maybe I’ll take on South America next. Take care, safe travels.
By: Max on August 11, 2009
at 6:36 pm
Great to see you are off to a good start. We look forward to keeping track of you!
By: the chicken lady and Uncle D on August 11, 2009
at 7:07 pm
We are with you in spirit. Keep the details coming!
Allison
By: Allison Cullen on August 11, 2009
at 7:31 pm
Congrats on the start of your long awaited trip. We were sorry not to have been able to say goodbye. Loving the posts and pics already…keep em coming!
Lots of love wherever you happen to be right now.
Betsy
By: Betsy Collings on August 11, 2009
at 8:17 pm
The roof tent looks totally at home in the Smoky Mountains! So excited the adventure has begun! Love the snail and please be careful of the bears. Update us again soon!
Love,
e.
By: Erin Sprague on August 11, 2009
at 8:31 pm
Another travel blog. I love it!. Anyhoo, Smokey Mountains is awesome. It’s one of my favorite travel destinations. If you have a chance, stop in Pigeon Forge. It’s Ocean City in the mountains.
Keep them pics comin!
By: nestor on August 12, 2009
at 1:23 pm
Hey guys!
Glad to see you are off to a great start in banjo country!I see that your ‘tree house” is already a real hit! I passed your blog site to all my brothers and sisters, and even to Jeff, your former landlord who was asking about you two this morning at Rotary. Watch for the bear and stay cool while Mom and I are babystting Alexandre over the weekend!
Love
Dad/Bernard
By: Bernard on August 12, 2009
at 1:40 pm
Hey guys, thanks for sending the blog our way. Hope your having a great time and we’ll definitely be checking your progress and interested in the updates. If your course ends up veering closer to the Pacific let us know!
Terry and Ashley
By: Terry and Ashley on August 12, 2009
at 11:25 pm
I’ll be looking forward to reading of your unfolding adventures, I’m on board for the ride. Car looks awesome, and I notice you’ve “reconsidered” driving the Panama Canal…
By: Matt J on August 13, 2009
at 1:23 am
Hi guys! Thanks for forwarding the blog. I am excited to follow your journey. Be safe and have fun! I’ll be checking back frequently, so keep the info and pics coming!
By: Mardy Holt on August 13, 2009
at 1:34 pm
I’m happy your blog is off and running! I’m looking forward to following you two! I couldn’t help red penning a few things while I read, though. Tsk, tsk, Caro. 🙂
We’re off to our little vacation, probably the complete opposite of yours! A nice break among all the house hunting and perhaps a last little hurrah before the big purchase… It may be sooner than we thought. I’ll keep you posted.
Bon voyage!
xxx,
Julie
By: Julie on August 13, 2009
at 1:53 pm
All right!!! I bet that limo made you guys jealous. You could probably fit the Jeep with mirrors and christmas lights all over the inside to make it more posh…
Are you still in Cosby? There is a mexican restaurant there called The Front Porch that is BYOB and there is rowdy bluegrass on Saturday nights. Not sketchy; mostly river guides and younger local people.
By: Andrew on August 14, 2009
at 12:25 am
Hi guys! Thanks for the great blog to follow as you journey across the US and then south. Be safe and have a wonderful time. I look forward to checking in frequently! 🙂
By: Mardy Holt on August 14, 2009
at 1:35 am
Loving the blog! Thanks for letting us experience the trip with you. We were disappointed that we couldn’t make the send off, but glad that we will be able to keep up to date with what you’re up to. At some point can you explain how that tent works? It looks like a major balancing act! 🙂
By: Lauren Stanczyk on August 14, 2009
at 10:20 pm
Salut Caro et Patrick!
Discovering the blog. It is fantastic to be able to follow your adventure. I believed that mom should have a computer to be able to benefit from your trip. When Louis went to Europe, in 1966, she followed the trip with needles on a map. I will suggest to Suzanne to show her your blog. This tent on the top of the car… what to say!? Caro, it is a pleasure to read what you write, it is well written. Keep notes, you never know. I helped an individual, in 1999, to write his trip around the world, on a bike, and the editor was looking for feelings and soul. Hugs and kisses from Ottawa xx
By: François on August 17, 2009
at 7:07 pm