We stopped on the bridge at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and enjoyed the snow – even though brief.

Lots of people visit Gatlinburg because of the proximity to the National Park. The park is designated as an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. The international system contains 324 reserves in 82 countries with the primary objectives of conserving genetic diversity and coordinating environmental education, research, and monitoring. The park is also a unit of the Southern Appalachian Man and Biosphere Reserve cluster. This membership enhances the park’s commitment to cooperative efforts in environmental education, research, resource management, and public involvement. The park’s designation as a World Heritage Site and a State Natural Heritage Area by Tennessee and North Carolina reinforces the value of its natural and cultural resources.