We relax this warm morning after Sunday breakfast.  We will drive to church at Franklin at 11:00.  The service is too late, in my opinion, but it gives us time to relax on Sunday morning. 

Yesterday we hiked with friends up a ravine and back down a ridge in Great Smoky Montains National Park.  Half way through at lunch time we were approached by a family that clearly had exceeded their limits.  One asked if we were close to the parking lot.  Our group responded, "are you kidding?"  He was not.  We consoled them, gave them a map, and refilled their 12 ounce water bottles.  We sent them back the way they had come, the easiest and shortest route, but still more than six miles.  I felt a little bad not going with them, but their course was clear and smooth.  Our group returned on a slightly shorter route, but one that continued to climb before descending steeply into the Deep Creek valley.  We enjoyed a lovely if warm hike. The forest is, of course, in full leaf now.  Not too many flowers in bloom, but the rhododendons are finishing up gloriously.  In places fallen blossoms made the trail appear a wedding path adorned with dropped flowers.  The streams are down a bit, but still roaring.  Coming close to the road we passed hundreds of bathers carrying tubes up the trail to begin a float down Deep Dreek.

After the hike we stopped for a pint at the Nanthahala Brewing Company before returning to camp. 

No ambitious plans today.  We will prepare for visit of Laurie and Mom and the busy week to come.