After work we decided to hit the road as a front would be moving in the next day and bring rain all over the south. We figured it better to make the pull with less traffic and better weather and it paid off big!! We got everything finally packed up and hooked the camper up and were on the road about 7-7:30 PM Central Time. It was a long night and there were some foggy points as we hit Highway 74 high points, but we made it to Mile High Campground (located northeast of Cherokee on the Indian Reservation) about 3:00 AM Eastern Time. We took about an hour getting set up and level and had to guess at were the view would be when setting up as it was foggy. But we got it right as the pictures testify. As we set up a few dogs came up to us with hunting locate collars on them and we found out the next day that the Indians were bear hunting that night - cool! Around 4:00 we got in bed pooped.
Saturday, September 26 - Raining, Groceries, Football, and Campground Hosts
We got up to rain and messy conditions and boy were we glad we weren't a) driving right now in these conditions and b) having to set up in this weather. We took our time, had breakfast, went and met the campground hosts, Jim and Joyce. We chatted with them around a wood stove in a sheltered camper area while it poured down. After a couple hours of discussion, we took out for Waynesville and groceries. We came back and watched some football and continued the recovery from sleep deprivation.
Amy Grace hanging in pack n play while we watch football under awning: 
Sunday, September 27 - Oconaluftee, Kephart Prong, Clingmans Dome, Wildlife
Sunday the front had moved on out and the weather looked great for the whole rest of our time in the Smokies. The only negative things was the gout had set in on my ankle and that slowed us a bit from our plans but we made the best of it, got to see some cool sights. The creeks and streams were flowing great after the front and the animals were everywhere too.
View from our campsite:
Our campsite setup:
Amy Grace ready to go party!
Wild turkeys on Heintooga Road:
We took Heintooga Road (backcountry NPS gravel one-way road) that would put us near Oconaluftee Visitor Center, our next destination.
After a stop at Oconaluftee Visitor Center we went up Highway 441 North to Kephart Prong trailhead. The streams were beautiful and roaring. After a mile or so walk and lunch along the trail, we turned back. Between all the footlog stream crossings and the wet slippery conditions coupled with weak gouty ankle, we decided to finish this hike another day.
Start of trail across this bridge:
Start of trail across this bridge: Old remnants of Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camps all along trail:
Our lunch stopping spot:
Footlogs:
Emily on footlog:
After returning to the truck, we continued onward to Clingmans Dome Road, stopping at a quiet nature trail/walkway called the Spruce-Fir Nature Trail:
Rock along trail:
Amy Grace and Emily checking out a fir tree:
We drove on to the Clingmans Dome parking area:
Practicing waving bye-bye and hello:
Black Bear on Clingmans Dome Road...way too tame!
When we got back to Oconaluftee, there were elk in the fields. This big male had three ladies bedded down in the field and was walking around running off smaller males. Cool experience!
Back at camp with a good fire and hamburgers grilled on the little Weber:
Emily on footlog:
After returning to the truck, we continued onward to Clingmans Dome Road, stopping at a quiet nature trail/walkway called the Spruce-Fir Nature Trail:
Rock along trail:
Amy Grace and Emily checking out a fir tree:
We drove on to the Clingmans Dome parking area:
Practicing waving bye-bye and hello:
Black Bear on Clingmans Dome Road...way too tame!
When we got back to Oconaluftee, there were elk in the fields. This big male had three ladies bedded down in the field and was walking around running off smaller males. Cool experience!
Back at camp with a good fire and hamburgers grilled on the little Weber:
The Palmer House in the Cataloochee Valley:
