We went to the Cherokee Indian Reservation just outside the Smokies. The place where we visited was another over-commercialized area, lots of souvenir shops selling non-Indian-made stuff. This is the only souvenir I bought from the Smokies area - a native american-made tomahawk keychain. However it does look kind of flimsy so I probably won’t ever use it as a keychain.

Here is Laurel Falls. It was Rhododendron time, lots of rhododendron flowers blooming everywhere.

Bugproof and “waterproof” tent. Quite comfy except that I need a better sleeping mat and a thicker sleeping bag, maybe better if I can bring my own bed Once zipped up in the tent, it’s quite an amazing feeling…like you’re part of the woods but at the same time also not a part of it. The only thing between me and the heavy downpour was thin sheets of nylon.

Frontcountry camping - you can park your car, SUV, truck or your luxurious ginormous recreation vehicle (RV) beside your tent. Some people came with their RVs and did not even set up any tents. Some RVs are equipped with microwave, tv, shower, toilet, nice beds - actually all the comforts of a tiny apartment on wheels. Except for not having a shower, the Elkmont campsite came with toilets (with toilet paper), running tap water and even drinking fountains, so we didn’t even need to bring gallons of drinking water with us. For $20 a night, you get a raised platform (to set up your tent), a parking spot, a campfire pit, a picnic table with benches, a pole to hang a lantern, the continuous sound of running water of the Little River, plus the company of tall trees, insects (fireflies and long legged bugs) and arachnids, and maybe even an occasional black bear. The whole national park is equipped with bear-proof trashcans and all food must be stored in the trunk of the car. I did not have a black bear encounter - fortunately or unfortunately - but I did see numerous Made-in-China black bear toys in the Sugarlands Visitor Center.

In case you are wondering, that red car is a Saturn Vue.

I didn’t get to tour the home of country music. This picture of downtown Nashville was taken from the LP Fields stadium.

Here is one of several pictures taken during The Call Nashville. It was a 10am to 10pm day of fasting, prayer, praise and worship. The Super 8 motel where I was staying was almost completely occupied by attendees of this event. About 80,000 people registered for this but I’m not sure how many people were here.