Getting Lost in the Smokies Was the Best Thing I Ever Did
They say not all who wander are lost—but I think sometimes getting a little lost is exactly what you need. That’s exactly what happened on my recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains , and I’ve never been more grateful to lose track of time, to disconnect, and to remember what it really means to breathe. Tucked between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Smokies are more than just a stunning national park—they’re a feeling. A rhythm. A reminder that there’s more to life than meetings, traffic, and screen time. From the moment I entered the park, with its fog-kissed ridges and quiet winding roads, I felt something shift. Something soften. I started my trip the way any good mountain escape should: slow. I didn’t rush to check off sights or chase trails. I wandered through Cades Cove , watched deer grazing in open fields, and even caught sight of a black bear crossing the road ahead of me like it owned the place (because, honestly, it does). There’s nothing quite like seeing wildlife...