We spent the morning exploring more of the Great Smoky Mountain Natl Park on our way out to North Carolina. We took a short half mile hike up to the top of Clingman’s Dome at 6,653 feet above sea level—the highest mountain in the Smokies. Because it straddles the boundary line between two states, it is the highest peak in Tennessee and North Carolina. It is also the highest point of the Appalachia Trail.

On the east side of GSMNP is the town of Cherokee, North Carolina. It is the center of the Cherokee Nation Reservation. It appears to be a big tourist site much like Gatlinburg, but smaller and with a different feel. We had a great lunch at a local Cherokee owned café and then a stop at The Museum of the Cherokee People. A nice museum with lots of information on the history of the Cherokee nation. 

Tonight we are at Lake Norman State Park in North Carolina. Weather is warmer; it was cold in the Great Smokies.