
When I was 13, I hiked all 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Smoky Mountain National Park. It was a favorite childhood memory. Almost all of the trail is along high ridges, yielding spectacular views. Since then, I've hiked the trail more than seven times, during various seasons:
In freezing rain. In warm rain. In Forrest-Gump-rain.
In fog. In snow. In the warm, Summer sun.
It is always wonderful; Always beautiful.
In 2005, as I hiked South, down Thunderhead Mountain — my first glimpse of Spence Field took my breath away. That moment is the inspiration for this painting. — Larry Smith