by Dennis Augustine
Another memorable adventure in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Cecile and I, along with Nelson and Susie, enjoyed a guided exploration of scenic Cades Cove aboard a Pink Jeep Tour, followed by a refreshing hike to Cataract Falls near the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
This wonderful complimentary excursion, part of our recent American Cruise Lines riverboat adventure, offered breathtaking mountain scenery, fascinating history, and exciting wildlife sightings!
Susie spotted a white-tailed deer, others saw a black bear perched high in a tree, and wild turkeys!
Black bear trivia: The Smokies are home to an estimated 1,900 black bears. They can run up to 30 mph and possess an extraordinary sense of smell, far superior to ours!
And here’s the funny part: We probably saw more stuffed black bears in the souvenir shops than real ones in the wild!
Nature, adventure, friendship, and a little exercise — another beautiful reminder to enjoy life now!
