May 26-27, Bill and I, along with Laura, Mike and Amanda (Claire at her own camp) camped at Elkmont in the hopes of seeing the synchronous fireflies. A night hike up Little River Trail did not disappoint, even though the fireflies were not numerous. It had been a cool damp May and they were getting a late start. In the afternoon, we drove to Clingman's Dome and hiked out to Andrew's Bald. Too early for the flame azaleas, but the views were spectacular and there were quite a few wildflowers on the trail. Next day, we hiked to Laurel Falls. Along the way we saw a mama bear and cub, thankfully a safe distance away. The falls had lots of water and the Matzeks climbed to the bottom while Bill and I went on the Cade's Cove. Just the two of us camped there and enjoyed a leisurely drive the following morning.
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| Andrews Bald |
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| Trail to Andrew's Bald |
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| Clingman's Dome |
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| Laurel Falls |
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| Laurel Falls |
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| Laurel Fall, hiking down |
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| Laurel Falls, at the bottom |
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| Mama Bear and Cub on the way to Laurel Falls |
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| Mama Bear |
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| Cades Cove Methodist Church |
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| Mountain Laurel |
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| Cades Cove turkey |
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| Big Bear in Cades Cove |
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| John Oliver Cabin |
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| Cade's Cove Coyotee |
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| Cades Cove |
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| Cades Cove Tom |
