Taking time to smell the roses

I really needed a day off. Because I own my own business most people assume I can take a day off whenever I please. Yes, I do have flexibility that many people do not. However, small business owners don't leave work for the day at 4:30 or 5:00. We often are still working at 11:00 p.m. and on weekends as well.

So, I needed a break. I spent yesterday with family in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For me to say I took time to smell the roses is actually not accurate (our air quality is the worst of all the national parks in the US), but I did thoroughly enjoy the day. We went to Clingman's Dome, the 3rd highest point east of MS River. North Carolina has us beaten by 2.

As we entered the park we raved about the gorgeous leaves, but as we climbed we suddenly realized the trees were completely bare. Then we began to see the snow. What a treat in October! Yes, we had to throw a few snowballs.

It had been so long since my last visit to Clingman's Dome that I should be ashamed since we live here in the Smokies. I am making a late-in-the-year resolution to take more time to smell the.... Oh well. You get the idea.