An unplanned Sunday and a drive on the GSM Nature Trail

Sunday morning proved that we should definitely have gone to urgent care the day before, as Clem’s face was puffed up to the point of being unrecognizable!  Urgent care on a Sunday morning was not terribly crowded, and he got in and received a shot and prescription for prednisone for the next 12 days!  We stopped for a few things at the grocery store, which we have been putting off, then returned for ice packs and naps for him for most of the day.  

Waiting at urgent care.  

A stop at the grocery store for a few necessities, and some ice cream for the poor guy!  We had enjoyed this brand at our stop after the GSM park, and I found it in the case, but was so surprised to see it in square cartons, the way ice cream always used to be packed! 

Some rest with ice packs helped Clem feel a bit better by late afternoon. 

He was feeling a bit better in the late afternoon, though not up for much, and I suggested a ride on the Nature Trail section of the GSMNP, minus any hikes to structures and waterfalls, and he agreed.  I drove.....his eyes merely slits, and limited vision, and we headed to the  Gatlinburg entrance. 

There are tons and tons of RV parks all through the area, and he had originally booked us at one in Gatlinburg, but changed when an RV friend suggested the one in Sevierville.  In retrospect, we should have kept the first one.  Not only better proximity to the things we wanted to see, but Gatlinburg is pretty cute, as far as tourist towns go, with downtown walking areas around shops, and buildings that look like a  Bavarian village.  And our site in Sevierville, while having a lovely view of the river, is almost sterile, lacking interest and .........for sitting outside.  An odd situation.

A very hot day, the car was super hot when we went out for our ride! 

First glimpse from the road as we climbed, but rain burst and light  made it hard to photograph. 

And the winding road, barely as wide as the car, prevented photos along the way!  I drove, since Clem's vision was limited.
Mainly looking for animals, I didn't bother stopping or shooting the few cabins and waterfalls, which required a walk to see.  

At any rate, we had been told that the Nature Trail was a great spot to see bears, and maybe elk, and we drove an incredibly narrow winding road through dense trees,  past  waterfalls, climbed up to peaks, and descended down steep grades which required low gears in the car and still the application of  brakes, and saw not one elk, deer, bear, or anything!  One raven!  Our sad tally for nature watching for the day!  But it was a lovely ride, and low energy and yet distracting for Clem, so all in all, a good way to spend a couple of hours.