The Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area of the Great Smoky Mountains–and the word “Great” does apply to this region–is a beautiful place. I’ve been there on a few occasions, beginning when I was ten years old, and I’ve written about it here before. So the news that there are 14 fires burning there right now is very saddening.
Fires are natural, and the region has no doubt burned before. But this is awful news, and rebuilding won’t be an easy process. Some will certainly lose all they have. My heart goes out to them, absolutely.
The beauty of the mountains won’t look like this again for quite some time. I’m glad I have memories of how it once looked.
May those who suffer losses one day feel whole again. And may we wake up to the reality of what we’re doing to our planet.
Blue Batting Helmet 