Appalachian Mountains

Hello there. I feel like a long, bumpy, green blanket tucked over the land. Soft, misty clouds often float by and tickle my peaks. I am very, very old and my tops are gentle and round, not sharp and pointy like some other mountains. I was born a super long time ago, even before the dinosaurs were here. That was around 480 million years ago. I have been waiting a long time to meet you. I am the Appalachian Mountains.

For thousands and thousands of years, I had special friends who lived with me. Starting around 12,000 years ago, the first people, like the Cherokee, made their homes in my forests. They followed my streams to find cool water and made little trails that wiggled between my trees. I loved hearing their footsteps. Much, much later, in the 1700s, new friends came from far across the ocean. They built cozy log cabins to stay warm, and I could hear them singing happy songs that echoed through my valleys.

Today, I am a happy home for so many wonderful animals. Black bears snuggle in my woods, deer leap through my fields, and little birds chirp good morning from my treetops. People love to visit me. On June 15th, 1934, a special part of me became the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so families could come and play. Now, children come to hike my trails, splash their toes in my cool streams, and sleep under the sparkly stars. I love sharing my beautiful views and fresh, clean air with everyone who visits.