Whimsical light softens the views of ancient mountains. Take the winding roads through Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina and you’ll meet ridge after wondrous ridge. Rich Mountain Road, Newfound Gap Road, Cades Cove Loop, all routes that connect us to magnificent places and the appeal of Southern Appalachia. The park strives to protect the historic structures, landscapes, and artifacts that tell the varied stories of people who once called these mountains home, like the Cherokee Indians, who can trace their history in this region back more than a thousand years. As we drive, walk, or bike these areas of the Smokies, we can understand why this place is extraordinary. It’s no wonder it’s our most visited national park. Photo by Brad Shutack (www.sharetheexperience.org).
ann m martin, the author of the books, is an out lesbian. many of the writers and directors involved with the netflix series are black, asian, and latin women. they did their homework, cast a young trans girl to play a young trans girl, and included multiple gay children and gay parents. mary anne and dawn are both played by actresses of colour.
AND the series is smart and funny and very watchable for all ages—i tend to not really watch new shows aimed at a younger audience, but i watched all of season 1 in one day. it’s rated at 100% on rotten tomatoes right now, and that rating is well deserved.
