Practice Appreciation

As the walk began, before I left the parking lot I heard children in the woods on a trail I was considering for a short 2ml loop so I decided to start the loop from another direction. About 100 yards along the trail were two ladies sitting and talking and I thought they chose a great spot and day to do this. Sitting in the shade with the Middle Prong sounding busy across the road. Turns out they were there to ensure that none of the kids went beyond them on this trail as the kids were learning how to use a compass.
Along my walk I could here someones domestic dog barking up on the West Prong trail and I wanted to scream!! For those readers who have a dog and come to the GSMNP, your Dog is NOT ALLOWED on trails. See The Sign at the beginning of Every trail?
This is a safety issue and a Federal regulation.
Twenty or so minutes later as I approached the West Prong trail from the loop I heard very close by, a large animal moving through the thickening underbrush and I hoped it was not pissed because of the dog or scared enough to act a fool! Whatever it was.
These local, state, and federal parks do not belong to me they belong to us and so I should be considerate of other folk's safety and how my behavior affects another's day in the woods. Be it practicing "Leave No Trace" camping and hiking or reading about the parks policies before I bring my ass to this place. Uuuugh!
I tried to create good out of this learning opportunity and think I just succeeded. Peace

Chestnut Top on Saturday the 14th

This 8.6 ml. RT started at the Townsend 'Y', parking area alongside the Little River. What was different about this hike today was that I went ahead and completed the 4.3 ml. one way from the 'Y', to the junction w/ the School House Gap trail, and the number of people, 7,; and one domestic animal, I passed. Yes, the second couple of folks who I crossed paths w/ had one of those "large poodles" w/ them. Not sure what kind of dog it was though I do know that it was not providing any needed assistance to the man who had it and it DID NOT belong in the park! After greeting them; turns out I knew one of them through mutual friends, I pointed out that it was illegal to have the dog on the trails and that he could get a big ticket/fine if caught.
Now folks I do have a problem w/ you putting me at a higher risk of encountering a tired, hungry, and angry bear, which is what you do, when you carry your useless, domestic, overgrown, lap dog into the woods of this and any other wilderness area. It is Against the Law, a federal law that applies to all of us.
Well I got over it and developed a packaged comment for the next person I see doing this which will sound like this..."Oh, and be careful there's a couple of rangers just starting some work at the trailhead you'll be coming out at"...hee,hee,hee.
Along the way I saw bunches of Squirrels foraging for grub in the "warm weather" and despite the quiet trails I could not get close enough for a good picture.
This trail could be part of several one way routes provided you have the transportation and is enjoyable as a RT for the views, rock formations, and wildlife. Peace