Part of my itinerary on this weekend trip was to visit the Smoky Mountain National Park. I knew beforehand that I couldn’t hike the beautiful trails in the park after the BFC race. A scenic drive to Clingman’s Dome would be good in lieu of a hike. And of course, I needed to have my National Park Passport stamped with this visit.

Saturday.  It was sunny, hot, and humid. But I was having ‘fun’ at BFC on this day.

Sunday.  Remnants of hurricane Florence has now reached the inland and is now in the Tennessese area. It has been raining all day. The continuous rain and strong winds forced the closure of roads in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Monday.  Still with lingering rain, but this will do. The park roads have been opened, but with a warning of dense fog and limited visibility. Drove to Clingman’s Dome hoping for the weather to become weather. Darn! It was raining when I reached the parking lot. Nothing to see here… And like the terminator, I just said “I’ll be back”. Drove back to Sugarlands Visitor Center and checked some short and leisure hikes before heading to the airport. I will not let this day go to waste. Laurel Falls or Grotto Falls are options. Grotto Falls is in the Gatlinburg area, on the scenic drive on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.  Grotto Falls, it is.  Too bad Rainbow Falls is closed, which is also in the same area.