America's Best Idea

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

As a teacher, there's no better feeling than walking out of the school building on the last day of class, knowing I won't be back until September. The freedom to relax and enjoy the summer months makes all the hard work during the school year worthwhile. With Alice Cooper's "School's Out for Summer" blasting in the car, I pick up my mom, and we head straight to the airport.

Our destination: Atlanta. After picking up our rental car, we set off for our first stop: the starting point of the legendary Appalachian Trail. Standing there, staring at the marker for the southern terminus, I couldn't contain my excitement, imagining the day I'll hike its entirety. While in the area, we stayed at Amicalola Falls Lodge, where you can also see the state's tallest falls. During our explorations, we met a lovely couple who told us about Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point at 4,784 feet above sea level. Intrigued, we added this unexpected gem to our itinerary.

I love chatting with locals and discovering hidden gems to explore. While at Brasstown Bald, we learned that on a clear day, you can see the summit offers views of four states, including Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. Unfortunately, it was foggy during our visit, but I was still thrilled to have checked it off my high point list.

Heading further north, we made a stop at the breathtaking Biltmore Estate. Every corner was stunning, and I was amazed by the sheer size of the estate. It was my first time there, while my mom had visited many years ago. The Biltmore Estate was built by the Vanderbilt family, one of the wealthiest families in America during the late 19th century. It's a landmark because it's the largest privately-owned house in the United States, with over 178,000 square feet of floor space. From its beautiful gardens to its impressive art collection, everything about the estate is grand and luxurious. It's no wonder it's considered one of the most famous landmarks in North Carolina.

Heading along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway was a real treat. The views were stunning, and the roads twisted and turned like a rollercoaster. Did you know the Blue Ridge Parkway is over 469 miles long, stretching from Virginia to North Carolina? Each bend in the road offered new chances for photos, making the whole drive an adventure in itself. Plus, here's a fun fact: It's America's longest linear park!

Entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we were immediately captivated by its beauty and biodiversity. With over 12 million visitors annually, the park buzzed with activity. Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet, had an amazing observation tower that gave us panoramic views. It was so cool to see this structure way up there, towering over everything around us. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to more than 19,000 documented species, including plants, animals, and even fungi. It's one of the most biodiverse areas in the world! During the springtime, visitors can also witness the magical sight of synchronous fireflies lighting up the forest. And one of the most memorable moments was being in two places at once, with one foot in North Carolina and the other in Tennessee, showing how our journey connected us to different places at the same time.

Our adventure didn't stop there. We explored Russell Cave National Monument, amazed by its archaeological wonders spanning over 10,000 years. Russell Cave is one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archaeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifacts representing over 10,000 years of human use in a single place. It's like stepping back in time and discovering the rich history of the people who once called this cave home.

Talladega National Forest took us to Alabama's highest point, Cheaha Mountain, standing tall at 2,407 feet. We were able to drive up to the summit, where we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. As we stood there, soaking in the beauty of nature, we couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to explore such diverse and fascinating destinations on our road trip.