1966 National Geographic Predictions Came True

The National Geographic predicted increased traffic at the National Parks and the author, Melville Bell Grosvenor, President & Editor of National Geographic Society was right.  At the time of the issue, July 1966, he noted that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited of all national parks, welcoming 5 million people per year.  Now I've seen reports of 9 million people visiting per year, nearly double in less than 50 years. 

I think Melville also understood the growth drivers, "More and more of us are living in cities and suburbs...But a steel-and-concrete environment does not give the American people all the inspiration they need to stay happy and productive.  We also need sunshine, clean air, and natural beauty.  Thus paradoxically, the more we live in the cities, the more we turn outdoors."  Do you find that the more time you spend in the city, the more you crave getting into nature?

Want to get out in nature without spending most of your time in traffic?  Tips: 
1) Rent a place where you can retreat away from the chaotic strip (like Lightning Bug Lodge). 
2) Visit popular places like Great Smoky Mountain National Park's Cades Cove early in the morning to beat the crowds. 
3) Plan an activity that gets the family out of the car.  Perhaps a new type of transportation like horseback riding, tubing, skiing, or walking with llamas.  Llamas!?!?!  Yes, visit the Smoky Mountain Llama Trek website http://www.smokymountainllamatreks.com/
4) Avoid the Sunday early afternoon traffic home:  leave Sun. AM or stay another night and leave Mon.