Over 16 years of marriage, I'm not sure Robin ever understood my undying love for the outdoors and all of the challenges it has to offer. My mountain fishing trips, endless seasons of hiking, mountain climbing and just sitting in the greatness of it all, have always been trips I could take in return for her relentless pursuit of the great shopping Meccas of the United States. Shopping doesn't get mud on your boots - or shoes - in her case. It doesn't soil your hands or make you sweat, although, I've built up a pretty good sweat trying to keep up with Robin in the mall a time or two. Shopping doesn't force you to sit in the dirt or on a large dusty tree root. There are no real water breaks or wooded pit stops along the brightly lit trails of the local outlet center. I guess that explains why shopping has always been so incredibly "boring" for me. How great it would be if a guy could just step off the trail in aisle 6 at Macy's and relieve himself on one of those manmade trees adorning racks and racks of blowses of every size. I'd die happy if I could just build a campfire in the bedding department of Bed, Bath and Beyond. I picture myself lounging on one of the whitest comforters in the store, nustling up next to my fire. Hmmm....I think that might be beyond the "beyond" department. Who know's for sure until the day I'm old and senile and decide "I'm going for it." Until then, I'll keep dreaming...
6 am comes pretty early when you're on vacation; especially when you've been staying up late, but nonetheless, it does come and if you want to beat the heat, you better get your tail to the trailhead asap. I believe that Robin's probably only seen 6 am a few times in her life. She's a very competent recreational sleeper. On our way up into the Smokies, I can barely contain my excitement. Robin uses this this time to grab a few more precious moments of shuteye. We make a quick roadside stop at a pull-off to take some pictures. Leaning against the rail, I point to the monolythic rock shooting straight up just off to the southwest. "That's where we're going", I said. "Then what?" she says hesitantly. "We're going up there", I explained as I pointed to the very top. She then asked..."driving?" I laughed and got back in the car.
Sitting on the tailgate of the car, changing our shoes, we observed a considerable amount of people appearing eager to be there early and ready to mount the challenge to the top. We grabbed our daypack, water bottles and ambition and took our first steps in the direction of the summit. Early in the hike, we cross a series of running streams, some too beautiful to describe. The manmade bridges rattled with our footsteps as we hiked closer to what I knew from having hiked it before, would exceed my wifes expectations. You see, at this point, my mind says, she's thinking that after all the years of making me suffer while sitting on the chair outside of countless dressing rooms, that she at least owed it to me to make an effort to join me on a "shopping adventure" of my own.
About a half mile up the trail, we reached a very steep narrow path laiden with a ladder of tree roots and random ankle-breaking rocks. We stopped, took a couple swigs of cold water and started climbing. I was still in pretty good shape from a recent climb on Mount Rainier, so this was great fun for me. I was careful to recognize any signs of fatigue that Robin may have had, but was pleasantly surprised to see her plunking her way up the trail like an avid hiker. That morning, I sat out along with my wife to make a hike up to the Chimney Tops together. I soon found myself more taken by how the beauty of it all was obviously overwhelming to Robin and I chose to enjoy her climb rather than my own. Sure, we stopped a few more times than I might have, had I taken the trip alone. I didn't care. I was was certainly in no hurry for this "moment" to end.
2 miles of winding, and very rugged trail and finally, we found ourselves standing at the base of the rock outcrop at the very top. This sight has always taken my breath away. Not only because of the awesomeness of it all, but also because of the thought of one mistep and more than likely a fall that would without a doubt, be fatal. We both slowly made our way up the sharp jagged rock and found a level area where we just plopped down and rested. The view from the Chimney Tops is often referred to as the greatest view in the Smoky Mountains. I'm sure some might argue that, but when I consider what my wife accomplished on this day, I just turn to look at her, Newfound Gap in the background, and I know, this is truly the most beautiful sight I've ever seen in these glorious mountains.
After consuming considerable amounts of water, we made our way down the trail and back to the car. A much quicker trip I might add...funny how that gravity thing can be so helpful sometimes. Still, because of the faster pace, we had to be extra careful on the rougher parts of the trail. One bad fall or twisted ankle and rest assured, your trip back to the trailhead will be one you will never forget.
We toweled off and munched on a few snacks we had packed for the trip. We both agreed that had we waited another hour, the heat combined with the insane humidity would have been too much to bear. I hit the engine and rolled the windows down....as we backed out of our parking spot we felt the breeze from the mountain roll through the car bringing with it the aroma of purity and what nature is supposed to smell like. "Back to reality", I exclaimed as I put the car in drive. Robin looked down the trail that laid to left of the parking area and watched it disappear as we headed back to Pigeon Forge.
I asked, "well, what do you think?" She said...."I can't wait to do it again......."
It was quiet for the rest of the drive......good times.
