Parson Branch Road at Cades Cove- Bob's Version

We were in a 2-wheel drive family SUV. Parson Branch Road didn’t allow us to turn around. We plodded deeper into this dense forest. I was alarmed that sunlight could not penetrate the canopy. JoAnna and I had chosen an unfamiliar trail and fear of this unknown quickly filled our thoughts.  
 
We supported our decision to take this trail, but we had no idea how the beautiful park crowded with hundreds of people could suddenly become so isolated, quiet, and devoid of meadow life. Our beautiful fall afternoon immediately transformed as we crossed that bridge, and we realized there was no turning back. 
 
What if we met another vehicle or came upon a fallen tree or encountered car trouble? We were headed into the unknown as earlier pioneers did. I had no idea what waited ahead or if we would make it out of the forest before the park gate closed at the end.  
 
Our arrogance and confidence turned to fear and concern for ourselves and young daughter.  As it became darker, we only had headlights to allow us to navigate the crooked unkept back mountain trail.  
I felt a flood of emotional relief as we emerged on the other side. This end was just as dramatic as the entrance. We nearly cried because our joy was so great at seeing a paved mountain road.
 
It was as if JoAnna and I entered a time transfer and exited just as dramatically. This adventure left an impressionable memory and awareness of just how fortunate we were to survive this nice afternoon drive.  
 
This was definitely our greatest and scariest adventure together. They say others travel this trail for fun.