Mother Daughter Vacation Final Day (April 28)

On our last day, we headed to Laurel Falls.

As we drove out of downtown Gatlinburg, into the National Park, we could see why they are called 'smoky' mountains.

We had missed getting a picture of the National Park sign and Daughter wanted one, so we stopped. 

Daily wildlife - He is such a showoff.  

We took the Laurel Falls trail.  

From the tourist book:  "This paved trail is the most popular waterfall trail in the park.  It passes through a pine and oak forest. Round trip distance - 2.5 miles"

 Daughter often walked behind me.  She said it was so that I could not push her over a cliff.  I suggested there was more danger for husband/wife teams. 

 Laurel Falls

There was the usual passing of phones for pictures.  A lady from Texas took this one with Daughter's phone.

Because the hike to Laurel Falls did not take as long, we stopped at Sugarlands Visitor Center and joined a wildflower hike. 

 Earlier in the week, I had wondered if there was poison ivy in Tennessee.  The guide told us she had tangled with it and ended up in the hospital. I have to watch for it too.  Every time I come in contact, it is worse for me than the time before.  

 White trillium is the provincial flower for Ontario.  This is a different type of trillium.

Mountain Lodge Restaurant is where we had lunch.  It is open for breakfast and lunch.  A lady on the trolley we took the first day, recommended it and since it was close to home, we decided to give it a try.  We both had French onion soup so we would have room for peach cobbler.  It was very good.

We spent the afternoon in the pool and hot tub relaxing before our return to Ontario on Friday.