Dumb Tourist Trick #4 Some people can't seem to read signs! The man up on the rocks was encouraging the young boy to come up and join him.
The view of Mt. Leconte (below the large cloud on the left) from Clingmans Dome is fabulous on a clear day. This was the day after a tropical storm came through and cleared out the smog. The Spruce Wooly Adelgid (an insect) killed the beautiful and fragrant trees at Clingman's Dome. It is sad to see the silvered skeletons of once-beautiful trees.
area of the park is popular for groups wanting to tube in the creek. Businesses rent tubes just outside the park entrance. Tubers have to be willing to schlep their tubes a mile or so up the trail to get a ride. It looked like fun when they were bouncing along down the river! It might look "geeky", but people would be well advised to wear helmets, shoes, and even knee and elbow pads while tubing, it could help save them from serious injury.
