Before work takes back over most of my time, I am taking a moment to revisit one of our hikes earlier this spring at the Everglades National Park. We went for a long hiking weekend just before the Florida heat settled in, staying at the Flamingo Campgrounds.
The mornings and evenings were crisp, getting into the upper 50s. Daytimes were in the 70s, perfect weather for camping and hiking. Today I’m going to highlight our walk along the Snake Bight Trail.
First off, the name sounds scarier than what it really means. A bight is a a curve or recess in a coastline, river, or other geographical feature, not some puncture from the eyeteeth of an actual snake!
This was the longest of the hikes we took during our stay. It was a straight path to the bight. Shade at the beginning of the trail was dense, but as the walk continued, the trees thinned and eventually gave way to open skies. The view of the water was lovely and we were able to see a variety of birds making their way in the sky.
On warmer days, this trail would likely not be the most comfortable walk, especially in the heat of Florida’s humid summers. According to AllTrails, our hike was 3.6 miles, out and back, with a whopping three feet of elevation gain. Not a typo, three whole feet! If you find yourself here on a cooler day, it’s a nice walk.
One last dining review from our trip to the GSM. The first full day in Wear’s Valley, TN, we stopped at a local pizza joint just off the main road called Geppeto’s. They offer indoor and outdoor seating.
Geppetto’s in Wear’s Valley
As we were walking in, the hubs asked a man walking out with a pizza how it was. He shared he was a local and they love the place, getting pizza here all the time. If the locals like it in a tourist area, it’s probably pretty good.
We decided to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. It was early evening and the sun was still high in the sky. We spied on a couple tables as we sat down and their food looked and smelled delicious.
I had a desire to try some of their meals instead of pizza. That may have been a mistake. Pizza came out to the neighboring table after we ordered and it looked amazing! However, I had already ordered the eggplant rollatini and hubby ordered the lasagna.
In the end however, we were not disappointed! My rollatini was a bit cheesy, and I didn’t mind that one bit. My husband was thrilled with his lasagna. He’s picky on his lasagnas and while it didn’t top his wife’s (LOL), it came in as one of the top three on his list.
We had plenty of leftovers, and leftover Italian food always tastes better the next day, so we ended up with two huge dinners for the price of one on our trip. Every time we drove by Geppetto’s throughout the week, except Monday when they were closed, their parking lot was full. If you find yourself in Wears Valley, TN, check them out!
On our last full vacation day in Tennessee, we found ourselves looking for a ‘new to us’ place to have a late lunch. I’ve spent many vacations in eastern Tennessee throughout my life, so the Calhoun local chain, nor any of the nationwide chains would do.
I read up on a local scratch kitchen tavern in the Pigeon Forge area earlier in the week, so we decided to check it out. As we set out from Gatlinburg, we wound our way through the crowded Parkway. I thought we had missed the tavern after we passed both the Old Mill and “The Island” areas in town; however, we spotted it moments later as we continued to make our way toward Sevierville.
The parking lot was rather full, but we walked in and were only the 3rd party waiting for a seat. Ten minutes later, we were seated at our table, a long but tight booth. The table wasn’t adjustable…I was comfortable, but the seating was a little tight for my main squeeze.
Burgers seemed to be on tap, so we opted for a Billy Burger and a Smokehouse Burger. I wish I had taken photos, but we were so hungry that we dove right in before I thought of it. My husband enjoyed his smokehouse as it came. I found I dunked my Billy in some ketchup toward the end — I needed a little more sauce and the garlic aioli was a little light.
The fries served are supposed to be fresh cut, and I believe they are. They were more along the lines of shoestring style, which I enjoy. Fans of steak fries however will not be impressed, except perhaps by the heaping size of the side!
We did have to wait a bit for our food. The restaurant was filled to capacity so we suspect the kitchen was backed up. No worries, the man found some squirrel maze video to entertain us while we waited. Squirrel’s can be really smart sometimes!
Since it was the last day of our vacation, and our main meal of the day, we splurged on their White Chocolate Bread Pudding with Ice Cream. I’m still not sure what the flavor of the ice cream was….but it had these little chocolate cups that I swear had peanut butter whiskey in them. We were in Tennessee after all! The slab of bread pudding was massive, and perfectly cooked and warmed to make the ice cream all melty. Heaven on a plate!
Below is a link to their site. This is not a paid endorsement, just a review from a traveler to the area. Next time we’re in the area, the Local Goat will be on the list to visit again.
Our final waterfall hike for this trip to the GSM is up to the Spruce Flats Falls. This trail is not clearly identified when driving up, but once you find it, they have directions clearly identified to help folks along the actual trail to the falls.
The start of the trail begins at the GSM Institute at Tremont. This trail is full of rocks and roots as well as a couple slippery areas. We saw plenty of folks with sneakers and no hiking sticks, but we were glad to have on boots and our hiking sticks. I relied heavily on them myself, especially after a slip and fall on a nice slippery rock. Bruised knee but no lasting injuries, just a little wounded pride as I fell right in front of a couple heading to the falls as we were headed back.
The falls themselves are beautiful! Out of the three falls we visited on this trip, I think this one was the tallest. The main upper falls were wide with a small side fall coming down into a pool of inviting water.
The middle section of the falls came to a shallow pool which we easily crossed. We found ourselves a rock to perch on like a couple of birds and enjoyed our lunch right there by the falls. We had worked up a sweat so we sat and relaxed a little longer.
We weren’t able to see the final descent of water downstream, but the sound filled the air. Braver souls could be heard making their way down…ah, to be in my teens or twenties again! It wasn’t easy to get a picture without others in it, this is the best I could do.
Spruce Flats Falls
According to AllTrails, the trail is 1.8 miles out & back with 413 ft. elevation gain. The rating is moderate, and we agree with the rating due to all of the rocks and roots. However, I’d definitely do it again when I get to visit again.
Deep in the heart of Roaring Forks Motor Trail lies a well-traveled hiking trail to Grotto Falls. We arrived around 9:30 am for our hike and lucked out with a parking spot near the trail head. These falls were not as crowded as Laurel Falls, but still quite popular.
The trail was well-packed dirt and rocks all the way up. The forest service shored up and installed steps throughout the trail. These were great going up, however, I found them to be a bit of a tripping hazard coming back down for my clumsy feet in some places.
On our trek, there were a total of 4 small water crossing areas. We’re talking six or so inches with a few steps between rocks or man-made steps, not neck-high swimming holes!
As we neared the waterfalls, the air temperature dropped significantly. I heard a fellow traveler indicate it was only 69 degrees, much cooler than it was down in the valley at 84 degrees.
There are plenty of rocks to climb over and even places to stake out and enjoy a packed lunch while watching and listening to the waterfall as we did. The big draw of course is the grotto itself. Everyone there took turns walking behind the falls and enjoyed the nice cool down before heading back to the parking area.
Grotto Falls
Even though AllTrails has rated this trail at a moderate difficulty, I found it to be about the same effort as Laurel Falls. My husband swears it’s because we took our hiking poles, which may be the case, however we saw many people without them. I’m a klutz at times, so those poles definitely have saved me a time or two. According to AllTrails, Grotto Falls is a 2.6 mile out and back trail with an elevation gain of 544 feet. This was one perfect outing!
At the start of our trip visiting the Great Smoky National Park, we decided to tackle an easy hike out and back to Laurel Falls. I believe everyone else in the area decided the same! This popular hikes main and overflow parking areas were crowded with cars and people. It was a Sunday after all and a beautiful day for a walk was the cherry on top. We drove by the falls on Monday and the crowds were less than Sunday but there were still plenty of visitors even for a weekday.
We decided to go ahead as we lucked out with a car pulling out so we had a spot. We donned our gear, but really, all you need on this hike is a bottle of water and your camera. We had our lunch with us, so backpacks made things easier.
The trail at one point was paved. Over the years, the pavement has worn off in spots and is no longer maintained. Due to the crowds, we found ourselves switching between pavement and well packed dirt and gravel all the way up.
We found we were basically never alone as we walked the trail, but we still enjoyed our adventure. The falls were flowing when we arrived and the trail was well shaded. You can walk right up and feel the water as it cascades down the rock face. Just be careful to wear shoes which are slip resistant.
Laurel Falls
Most of the trail is uphill to the falls. According to AllTrails, total elevation gain is 396 ft., and the trail out and back is 2.4 miles. Laurel Falls is one of the more popular trails in the park, and it is no wonder. It is a beautiful site to behold.
Anyone who visits the Smokies knows there are pancake houses galore ready and willing to whip up some of the most mouth watering sweet treats for your breakfast. Our family’s long time favorite, going back to my childhood, is the Pancake Pantry in the heart of Gatlinburg.
Expect to wait if you arrive later than 8:30 AM, maybe even sooner during season. There seems to always be a line to get in! On our recent trip, we were the 4th party in line and arrived around 8:30 AM. By the time we left, the line stretched quite a ways back into the plaza. The good thing is, the staff at the Pancake Pantry run like a well-oiled machine….your food hits the table quickly so the turn over is quick.
I opted for the Swedish Crepes this trip. Okay, so not really pancakes, but they still were delicious. They use a sweet cream butter mixed with the lingonberries so it almost tastes like whipped cream on top of the crepes. The crepes were also stuffed full of lingonberry jam. Just look at these babies!
My husband chose a more traditional omelet with pancakes for breakfast. Well, traditional is a bit of a stretch as he had the Mexican omelet. I snuck a bite, and it was exactly as described, but I preferred my crepes. My husband however enjoyed every bite of both his omelet and the three fluffy pancakes smothered in butter and syrup.
Mexican Omelet with Pancakes
After breakfast, we were headed into the GSM Park for some nature walks. We hadn’t prepared sandwiches, so we opted for two boxed lunches from the Pancake Pantry. It was nice to have a convenient solution for our day in the park. They took care to keep the tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments separate so the sandwich didn’t get mushy. I loved the three-bean salad they served with it, and my husband enjoyed the cucumber and onion salad.
The Boxed Lunch
While I’d probably try to prepare better next time by bringing my own sandwiches, this was a good alternative. However, the Pancake Pantry breakfast is always a must do, at least once, on any visit to Gatlinburg. That’s where it will stay in my list of go-to restaurants.
What’s your favorite place to eat at your favorite vacation spot?
Piles and piles of laundry scattered across the floor. We’re only taking a couple things, but there’s tons of laundry to be done. Dinner’s on, chores abound, work is crazy, and vacation is just days away. My brain is looking forward to the break from deadlines and meetings, the endless meetings!
I don’t really mind the flurry. This trip is without extended family, the first in a while. I love our moms, but we need a little us time and are looking forward to our mountain getaway, breathing the fresh mountain air, and hiking and getting back to nature.
My goals for this vacation, aside from getting some well-deserved relaxation, is to see some beautiful places and capture some great shots on our hikes and bike ride. Check back later next week, maybe I’ll have a new post with some shots shared.
Working through my final check list – confirmations in hand, hiking & biking gear being gathered, and photo gear all set for the trip. Cat/house sitter lined up… A few other odds and ends, like luggage and such, and we’ll be ready to head out.
The driver awaited in the open air Toyota safari cruiser. We packed in our gear, stepped up at the wheelbase, swung our legs over and climbed in. We were ready for an adventure.
We struck out in the early morning and headed to the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, pronounced kind of like Shoos-hoo-louie, but I’m sure I have that wrong! Our driver introduced himself, and laughed as we tried to perfect the clicks in his name. He finally waived his hand at us to stop. “Just call me Joe.” He had kind eyes and a knowing look. I wondered if the thought Americans! crossed in his own mind.
The drive to the reserve was amazing; the African air blew through our hair and it was a pleasant morning. The skies were clear and we were refreshed after a great night’s sleep at Protea Hotel. The road to Hluhluwe was short and the trees lining the road were unlike any I had seen in the states. It felt as if we were in another world.
Countryside on the way to Hluhluwe Game Reserve
After our driver checked us in, we set out to see hopefully the Big Five, and maybe a few more. The Big Five, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Lion, and Rhinoceros, all reside within the game reserve, but there was no guarantee to see any of them.
Shortly after taking a few curves into the park, our driver pulled over and pointed off into the distance. A herd of African elephants were making their way up a mountain off in the distance. We’re not talking a couple elephants…there were at least thirty or more of these beautiful creatures walking in a line up the mountain. It was an amazing site! I wish I had a better zoom lens, but captured what I could of the site.
A herd of elephants traveling through the park
The driver turned to our group and indicated with urgency we needed to go so we might have an opportunity to see these magnificent animals up close. We settled back in and off we took down the dusty roads in the reserve. Other safari drivers waved and exchanged information with ours as we made our way through the park, indicating where the herd was headed.
On our drive, we happened upon a smaller group of elephants who were just off the road. One showed off his skills to cool down by throwing dirt on his back.
Ahhh! Refreshing dirt!
Another snuck through the trees and gave all of us a shock. We didn’t see him until he flared out his amazing ears.
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
As they lost interest in us, we got back on the road and eventually found the herd. There was a large male in front of us. Our driver shared information about why the males musked and warned us to stay inside the vehicle as we were close. Then, it happened. One of the larger elephants turned around and started making his way towards us. Our driver wasn’t sure if he was just checking us out or was going to turn aggressive. As the elephant picked up speed heading towards us, our driver threw our vehicle in reverse and got us away from him as quickly as possible.
Male elephant on the prowl
Once we were far enough away, the elephant calmed and returned to the herd. Those tusks were both impressive and scary all at the same time!
With that excitement through, we headed off to find some other amazing animals. Here we encountered our second of the Big Five. We saw a rhinoceros drinking from a pool of water. It was amazing to see this creature in the wild.
Rhino enjoying a refreshing sip of water
Our journey continued on. We made our way to a pleasant open area with a watering hole. We saw a full of a variety of animals, including our third, and final, big five of our safari, the Cape buffalo. Among the buffalo, we also saw giraffes, zebras, and even a warthog…And, no, he wasn’t singing Hakuna Matata! But he sure was cute!
Unfortunately, all of the cats were hiding on our trip this day, though I swear I saw a lion’s tail sticking out from a rock as we turned one of the corners in the park. But we did see a beautiful female nyala hiding in the brush just before we left the park.
Nyala hiding in the grass
Hluhluwe Game Reserve was a wonderful safari. I’m grateful we had an opportunity to journey deep into the heart of South Africa to view her wildlife. On that note, enjoy a picture of a dung beetles fighting over their grand ball of dung!
As of today, our household will be fully vaccinated from COVID-19. My husband is heading out the door for his final shot and my last shot was received yesterday. We have just under two weeks to go before our first real vacation in over a year, just in time!
Our countdown has begun. Double checking reservations, ordering some last minute hiking socks and supplies, and the flurry and excitement of getting back on the road and out to the great outdoors for longer than an hour or two is taking over.
We’re headed to the Gatlinburg area and I continue to hope for perfect Spring weather when we arrive. We’ve planned a loose itinerary for our trip:
Hike: Laurel Falls, Huskey Branch Falls, Grotto Falls Trail
Bike: Cades Cove
Visit: Downtown Gatlinburg, Drive a segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Eat: Must Have…Pancake Pantry
I’m looking forward to the trip and the break from the everyday. Can we go today?….
Any other “must see, must do” recommendations out there?
BewilderedBrownEyes 