Great Smokies Part 6 of 6!!

Hi friends!
.
This was my final day in the Great Smokey Mountains. My day started with a nice leisurely walk through the dense pine forest then opened up into a grassy bald with incredible views in the morning sun. As I descended the mountain, the temperature ascended, as did the soreness of my feet and legs! Halfway through the day, I was convinced by fellow thruhiker, Cool Breeze, and a nice trail runner to check out the tower! Ahem I mean, *lookout*. It was an awesome side quest and I'm so glad I went to see it! I continued climbing down, the heat continued to crank up, and the shade from the trees continued to thin. The change of scenery in the terrain happened so fast before my very eyes that I had a hard time believing I was surrounded with fairy tale woodlands just that morning! My time in the Smokies came to an even quicker end when I got to my goal shelter and realized all of my friends had moved past it.. another 2 miles! That may not seem like a lot, but after the week I had, I was TIRED. I persevered and made it to the tentite with the sun still up! While not shown in my video, I sat and talked with Cool Breeze, Thunder, and Slip N Slide. I then went and pitched my tent up trail with Sharky, Big Spoon, LOP, and Lavender. I had a relaxing evening chatting by the fire until it got dark enough to turn on headlamps, where I promptly went to bed, and for the first time in a week, I actually slept without being cold! 😅😊