Parson Branch Road- Jo's Version

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As the afternoon October sun dropped low across Cades Cove, my husband Bob discovered a shortcut – a primitive gravel road that exited onto a curvy Tennessee highway. I had spent the day reading hilarious quotes from A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. We figured if this guy could tackle the Appalachian Trail, we could at least drive our SUV through parts of it with our three-year-old child Ella.
 
We were arrogant tourists, inspired with an inflated sense of possibility. As our beautiful day came to an end, Parson Branch loomed before us, only wide enough for one car. We estimated that /this shortcut could save us three hours as we made our way towards Ellijay.
 
Bob and I debated questionable merits of reaching the end of the trail before we were locked in the park for the evening. How long can it really take? Bob asked. This trail sign says eight miles in an hour, but I’m thinking I can make it in forty minutes. While not paved, this road did show up on our national park map as a serviced path open to public cars. When GPS verified its existence, off we drove.
 
There was no sunlight, cell service, or opportunity to turn around as we entered this densely covered forest. Bob hugged his side of the trail while I peered over the opposite edge looking for bears. We heard soft crunching of leaves and eerie creaks of small wooden bridges under our tires.  As we followed a winding creek, neither of us spoke. Ella slept.
 
Bob faithfully pushed forward, persevering while I prayed over our insane decision. We whooped with joy when our headlights panned across an opened park gate after ninety minutes of off-road adventure. We still didn’t know which way to turn onto the highway.
 
In honor of this success that occurred despite our stupidity, we now refer to any consideration of a new adventure as a Parson Branch kind of decision.

This is my take on it. Bob has a few more things to say about it.

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