Our campground here in Sevierville is about 20 miles from the park entrance, yet the Smokys are quite prominent. It has been overcast our time here yet that has added more character to the area. We drove more than halfway across the center section of the park as there are pullouts all along the road. We walked the Appalachian Trail for a VERY short way. It stretches from Georgia up to Maine. We (and that includes me) made it up to the top of Clingmans Dome – the highest point in the park at 6643 feet. The last 330 feet up is done walking up a steep half mile paved path. The view was worth the near heart attack. After our fingers were cramped from picture taking, we drove back down to Gatlinburg for some lunch. This is the biggest tourist trap I have ever seen. There are shows, rides, waterparks, shops, food, museums, and everything else you can imagine. The change from the park to this is like walking out of a solemn service at church and into a circus. Back in Sevierville, we are about 1000 feet from the largest knife store in America – Smoky Mountain Knife Works! There is also a Coleman Outlet as well as a Lodge Outlet right next door. We even bought a bottle of Tennessee Moonshine before we start to pack up. Tomorrow night we will be in Marion, NC. We will be10 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway.