Journal
Essays and trail journals by Leah LaRocco.
November 28, 2015
You guys, I’m in Gatlinburg, the armpit of Tennessee, also known as the Vegas of the South, also known as the grossest place on earth, also known as the white trash capitol of the world, also known as air-brushed t-shirt heaven…shoot me. The thing is, people actually come here to Read More
October 26, 2015
"I really think that being in nature is a basic human need that we have. It gives us perspective because, when you walk into the woods, or walk through the desert or sit by a river, you realize that you're only one thing in the great order of things.I know Read More
October 23, 2015
Today I am relishing the fact that my neighbors seem to be out of town. At approximately 9:52 every morning, a horde of screaming children takes to their backyard and makes the amount of noise a small troop of Vikings would make on an impromptu pillage. They do this until Read More
October 12, 2015
Sometimes you reach a point in life where you realize something is missing or feels woefully unfulfilled and it causes you to search for joy in places unexplored. Some things have changed for me over the past six months that have left me trying to figure out what I love, Read More
October 27, 2014
This past weekend, we had a camping adventure with some friends. We went up to Tracy City, TN and stayed at the CCC campground right next to the Fiery Gizzard Trail. On Saturday we hiked 11 miles round trip to Raven Point on a trail that has a difficulty rating Read More
March 24, 2014
We were supposed to have rain this weekend, but thanks to the inaccuracy of the meteorologists in our area, it was sunny. I headed to Cheekwood on Sunday for my first visit of the season. Upon pulling up to the gate, I heard a shriek that sounded like a cross Read More
November 4, 2013
For our our second day in GSMNP, we decided to do the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail before heading into the main part of the park. It's a six mile loop just outside of town that you can drive through for lovely views of mountains and rocky streams. The thing Read More
November 3, 2013
Rob’s birthday is coming up and I wanted to make a memory as opposed to struggling to find him a gift he might not use, so I thought it would be fun if we went up to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to go hiking and see some Tennessee fall Read More
May 30, 2013
Tonight was officially the second night the Bruce Munro light exhibit was open at Cheekwood and we were dazzled. I brought Rob down there with me, we sprayed a healthy dose of bug spray on ourselves, and walked into a wonderland of light. This is only the second time this Read More
January 24, 2013
Monday was Martin Luther King Day, and as I reflected on the celebration of all he represented and the fact that our President was being inaugurated again, I got overwhelmed by the depth of it and decided to take a walk. Tennessee in the winter time is, how shall I Read More