The Great Smokies are not that strange stuff you puffed in college in the ‘60s. You know, those smokes you used to get into the politically-correct trance for your first protest march. The Great Smoky Mountains are the spectacular sky-high ranges that run through North Carolina and Tennesee. The area is often called the most popular natural park in the United States.

It is best to be roaming a more beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park in autumn, where you'll wander and wonder among the undisturbed forests of brilliantly colored fall reds, orange and gold leaves. If you intend to stay to hike, bike, fish, bird watch or just plain laze, there are great accommodations from modern hotels, quaint bed and breakfasts, RV camps, tenting grounds and home-style eateries along the trails, rivers, springs and waterfalls.

And if you want to return to your Bob Dylan songfest and foot-stomping barn dance days, you can enjoy all the bluegrass and country music you want, most of it performed free at autumn fairs and harvest celebrations.