“I can’t wait to try zip lining,” said Oscar.

“Me too! Flying through the treetops sounds awesome! But, um, how do you keep from falling down? I mean it’s not like we have wings,” said Jax, with a little fear settling in.
“Oh, it’s totally safe. You’ll wear special safety gear. They’ll fit you for a helmet and fasten you into a harness. You’ll climb up a bunch of steps to a platform.
A guide will connect your harness to a trac pulley on the zip line, and off you’ll GO!” explained Oscar.
“Cannot wait! So, where is our cabin?” Jax asked.
“We’re staying overnight in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a city in the mountains.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park includes the range of mountains that runs alongside the Appalachian Mountains and the Tennessee border with North Carolina,” explained Oscar.
“Why are they called ‘smoky’ mountains? Are they on fire?” inquired Jax.
“No. Story has it that a blue fog or mist always hovers over the mountains and valleys. I’m not sure who named them, but the first people who settled in this area were Cherokee Native Americans,” Oscar offered.
“Hey, we made it! That sign says ‘Welcome to Gatlinburg!’” shouted Jax.
After a long day of travel, Jax, Oscar and his parents snoozed soundly in their woodland cabin.
The boys sprung out of bed in the morning eager for a big day of land and water adventure.
Once on the zip line platform, Jax wasn’t quite so enthusiastic.

“Wow, I feel a little queasy looking at that long wire,”
Jax told Oscar.
“You’ll be fine. We’re all geared up, and it’s too late to turn around now, my friend. Let’s do this!” said Oscar.
Reassured, Jax went first, before he could change his mind. As he picked up speed the leaves flew by. He clamped his eyes shut and hoped it would all be over quickly. But when he heard a rustling sound below, he
cracked open his eyes.
His mouth dropped as he spotted two black bears on the forest floor. It was a momma bear with her cub!
Jax couldn’t believe his luck. He watched them paw their way along, searching for berries to munch.
“That. Was. Awesome!!!” Jax shouted as Oscar sped across the zip line.
When Oscar unharnessed after his turn, Jax filled him in on the bear sighting. Now eager to learn all about black bears, Oscar and Jax asked a park ranger more than a few questions. She told them that approximately 1,500 black bears live in the Great Smoky Mountains valleys. They wander in the surrounding areas and spend much of their time looking for food.
“Be sure to keep those campground garbage cans closed at night!” she warned.

After lunch, they geared up for their next adventure: white water rafting through the mountain valleys. This was their first time rafting, so they picked a beginner level course. Most of the time, the water was calm and they floated along scanning for bears along the shore. When they did come to a dip or swirl in the river, their instructor Paul would guide them to “go with the flow” or “embrace the spin.”
“Now this is fun!” said Oscar, after one bumpy rapid.
“Can we spin the raft around?” asked Jax, who now considered himself a brave mountain adventurer.
“It would be fun, but some of the other passengers might get a little scared,” Paul said.
After practicing on some smaller rapids, their instructor said, “Okay, folks. Here comes a steep drop. Hang on and
don’t forget to row your paddles when I give the signal,” Paul instructed.
“Yahoo!” yelled a wet Oscar as their raft shot out of the rapid.
Jax, Oscar and the other passengers had a great time braving the white waters. No one minded getting soaked and they soon dried in the afternoon sun.
“What a day! I’m exhausted. Where are we setting up camp?” Jax asked with a yawn.
“Uh oh.” Oscar smacked his forehead. “That’s what we forgot to pack. The tent. I knew there was something!”
“I guess we’re in for one more mountain adventure,” Jax said with a grin.