Reginald Jones

Visited Oprylands ICE Display today. Temp is 9⁰ inside. A blue thermal jacket is supplied. Gloves are recommended. Theme is Polar Express. Great ice sculptures and wonderful color.

Theater is located downtown and there is free parking in the State Street Garage directly behind the Theater. Entrance was by electronic ticket on your phone. Went very smoothly. Theater is very ornate and appealing. Bathrooms on the upper and lower levels. Staff was super friendly.

Wednesday, we hiked Porters Creek which is located in the Greenbrier Section of the GSMNP. The road to the trail along with the trail had been closed close to a year due to flood damage. The road has been completely repaired including a new bridge🌉 and new gravel. There are still multiple piles of timber🪵 along the creek and beside the trail. The trail is 3.7 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1500'⬆️. We did up and back. There is a waterfall located on this trail, but it was barely trickling at the top. We met 2 families with young children coming up the trail to see the waterfall. Tried to lower their expectations. On the way out of the area, saw a small black racer snake on the side of the road🐍. Hard to get any clear views of the creek once you begin gaining elevation. There are bathrooms 🚻 and a nice picnic area before you get to the trail head.