Today we went back to Hot Springs, NC, to try out the Laurel River Trail.  This trail is what you expect from the Appalachians.  It was a 6.8 in and out that stayed along side the Laurel River.  By Smoky standards, the trail is incredibly flat.  As you go along the river, there are several spots to stop and cool off in the water, which Pearl did on more than one occasion.

We took the trail all the way to the two rattlesnakes chillin’ in the middle of the trail.  

Pearl went in for a sniff when Jennifer spotted them.  Jennifer reacted before Pearl could get in harms way.  In fact, I think Jennifer jumped about 4 feet off of the ground.  To Jen, the only good snake is a dead snake and they are all copperheads.  As she backtracked to where I was standing, she told me there was a huge copperhead in the trail.  Of course, I had to check it out.  There I saw a light colored rattler curled up with a very dark rattler.  Neither ever moved, despite several flashes from the camera.  Jen “calmly” explained to me that there was no way in hell she was walking past 2 rattle snakes.  I agreed that we didn’t need to tempt fate.  I wasn’t worried about us, but dogs will be curious.  We were near the end anyway so we headed back to let Pearl play in the river at a safer location.