Hiking day

Today Dee and I visited the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  We were going to do some hiking to investigate three waterfalls along the trail here.   This area is about 45 minutes from where we are staying so we waited until about 10:30 to go since it was cold this morning.    When we got to the parking lot, Dee realized her hiking shoes were not in the car.   So we drove to the town close by to see about buying some cheap sneakers...no luck...so she decided she would get an ankle wrap at the Walgreens and walk in her Crocs!    I did not want her to do this but she said she could and I was not going to start an argument!   So she did!    Up and down hills for five miles!!  We found a good sturdy tree limb that she used as a hiking pole because..yes, we forgot those!   

Anyway, we enjoyed the walk..saw a woodpecker and two deer.  The deer stayed just off the trail about 20 feet away from us.  We were so excited to be that close.   I know they are used to hikers being in their area so they don't have the fear of humans.   And they are not hunted in the park.  

This  is Juney Whank Falls..the last stop on the hike.   We asked a young lady to get our photo.  It felt good to sit as this was about the 4.5 mile spot.      The area is beautiful and full of rhododendren and mountain laurel that will bloom in May and June.   We did not see any wildflowers except for daffodils which are really blooming up here in the mountains.  A flower photo in the extras.   

We haven't decided any plans for tomorrow which is our last day here.  We may not be able to move much at all!!!      Hiking in the mountains is a workout compared to hiking on the flatter trails at home.