Do you like adventure? Do you like viewing the scenic world at a fast pace? Do you like holding on to the door handle with your dear life? Then the Tail of the Dragon is just for you!
This scenic trail was on Jim's list and being the loving wife I am, I went along for the ride. It was a beautiful car ride. The road was to take us through Alcola, Tennessee to US 129. I thought we had better stop to see if we were headed in the right direction (there were no signs for the Tail of Dragon  along the way). We stopped at a McDonald's to inquire. I stopped one employee and asked, "Is this the way to the Tail of the Dragon?". The look on HIS face should have been my first clue and what he said SHOULD have been my second.. He said, yes and then said..Y'ALL BE CAREFUL! 
That didn't stop Jim...

We continued on..(why- not sure, but we did..) We found US 129, and the start of it, I said, "this is nothing, we drove sharper curves the day before..BUT that was ALL before the Tail actually started...

I quickly figured out when the Tail actually began. All I can say is...WOW. I had a blister on my hand from holding on to the door handles. 11 miles and over 350 sharps twists and turns.My stomach was so upset and I am sure all the pictures that were taken by people along the way were beautiful green images of me with one hand holding the door handle and the other holding my stomach. Jim didn't sweat..UNBELIEVABLE and he drove it! There were fast motorcycles everywhere! Fast cars, fast bikes, THESE PEOPLE ARE NUTS!!!
I kept looking at my GPS and was so happy when I saw the end. That meant we were headed back home to Illinois! 
OH NO...BUT a second glance at the GPS suddenly put me a an UNhappy mood. I quickly saw that if we stayed on US 129 we would be going about 100 miles out of the way (in the wrong direction!). There was only one way out of this mess. GOING back the WAY WE CAME IN..YIKES!!!!!! 
22 Miles and over 700 sharp twists and curves.. When it was all said and done, I looked at Jim and shook my head. He GOT THE LOOK!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!! He came out smiling. Unbelievable! 

The ONE beautiful photo that came from the Tail...

The Cherokee National Forest was the location of the Day #2 waterfall hike to Margarette Falls. Jim and I were both sore from the 6 mile hike to Panthertown the day before. I talked Jim into this hike since it was only a mile and half walk to the waterfall. (That is nothing,,,right???). After a few phone calls, we found the gravel parking lot. The internet said this was a 60 foot waterfall and I could hardly wait. It was a cool day and I was already very happy- several butterflies were in the area. 

Since my hiking shoes broke the day before, I had to wear Jim's hiking sandals. They were about 3 sizes too big, but that was ok, it had to do, We were about to see a 60 foot waterfall- I WASN'T GOING TO LET BIG SHOES get in my way. I read online that this trail was scenic and rugged: All very true. This was the most beautiful hike I had ever been on. Once we reached the main sign post and took the trail, we could see and hear the creek. Since I was wearing the sandals, I stepped off the path several times, walked in the creek, and took some amazing pictures. 

It was about halfway through the hike in the creek, Jim said, "you better watch for snakes". SNAKES- what??? but I didn't let that stop me. I journeyed in and out of the water- the only thing that was bothersome was the bugs yuck..AND a log that was covered with BIG BLACK disgusting worms. I had to crawl under it and I have never been more cautious in my entire life. I searched the entire log and found THE ONE square inch I could duck under. I escaped the booby trap, and took this picture, 

This trail started as a path and then had us skipping across rocks. At one point, we were rock climbing (try this in big shoes!). I loved it. I thought we had found the waterfall, but Jim quickly realized that wasn't 60 foot, more like 10...Oops!! The bugs and worms and snakes must have been getting to me or I am just bad judge of distance..haha. The waterfall must be ahead....

I ran ahead of Jim on the trail- I had to see for myself. A short distance later, I found it! It was beautiful! I can honestly say..I was glad I listened to Jim! 

The water was perfect! It was clear and cold. I love this picture I took of Jim. I think he thought the water was cold too!!!

I took a couple of pictures of the rocks. I am definitely painting the water and rocks. I love the abstract quality.  I can't wait to paint this on canvas. 

I started planning this trip a few months ago, There is one thing that cheers me up during the Midwest winters- planning a spring hiking trip. I had been looking forward to this hiking trip for a long time, I knew I wanted to explore North Carolina and I knew I wanted to see some waterfalls. I also wanted some adventure (traveling with my husband Jim always brings some exciting-and sometimes NOT so exciting adventure). I found the perfect trail. I did my research- it was an eight mile hike to 5 (YES 5) different waterfalls. This was a trail for us. 

Once we found the parking area, we were ready to go. I had my hiking sandals and Jim had his new hiking boots. The map..well..wasn't the easiest to follow. It was the only one I could find on the internet, so it had to do. About a quarter mile into the hike, Jim couldn't get his headphones to work. I didn't want to turn around and head back to the car...I just couldn't. There were waterfalls to be seen. I gave Jim my pair of headphones and put his broken pair in my pocket.

AND then the adventure began...About a quarter mile later- MY sandal broke. I was so mad- I didn't have extra pair in the car. I knew I had to Macgyver it. Jim's old headphones did the trick!

I only had to adjust the tie every mile or so. It didn't take us long into the trail to figure out that either the map was wrong or we were headed the wrong way. We may not have followed the map, but we did find a nice waterfall- Greenland Creek falls. Jim stood behind the waterfall and took some amazing pictures. 

This hike took us to the top of a mountain and one more waterfall. It was hard to estimate just how long we hiked, (I am guessing about 6 miles??) but all in all- it was a nice day. Oh, did I mention we saw a BEAR? Ok- maybe it was a small black dog behind a shrub- but nonetheless- it was an adventurous journey.