'I'm sorry': Park visitor returns heart-shaped rock to Great Smoky Mountains with apology letter (2024)
Park rangers atGreat Smoky Mountains National Park were pleased to see an apology in the mail that included the return of stolen park property.
A tourist named Karina decided she loved the Deep Creek area of the national park so much that she wanted to take a "souvenir" home with her – a heart-shaped rock.
"I especially liked Tom Branch Falls," which is in North Carolina, Karina wrote.
"I'm sorry, and I want to return it," Karina said of the rock. "Also, here's a donation!"
Park rangers posted the apology letter on Facebook, along with a photo of the rock being returned to Tom Branch Falls and a hand-drawn picture of Tom Branch Falls.
"Thank you so much for returning the rock!" rangers posted on Facebook. "It has made its way back to Tom Branch Falls. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit. Already, you are becoming an amazing steward for the park. Thank you for recognizing that what is in the park should stay in the park."
Taking the rock is a bit of a big deal –it's illegal.
"If every visitor took a rock home, that would mean 11 million rocks would be gone from the park every year!" park rangers wrote on Facebook. "The park would definitely not be as beautiful as it was before."
Rangers also mentioned that rocks in the Smoky Mountains provide homes for "hundreds of creatures."
"Now that you know to leave nature the way you find it, we hope you will help share this message with others," rangers said.
A tourist named Karina decided she loved the Deep Creek area of the national park so much that she wanted to take a "souvenir" home with her – a heart-shaped rock. "I especially liked Tom Branch Falls," which is in North Carolina, Karina wrote."I'm sorry, and I want to return it," Karina said of the rock.
Trees produce fine mists of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which scatter blue light waves. This creates the bluish haze the eye can detect over the mountains.
A: The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stretching 469 miles from Rockfish Gap, VA to Cherokee, NC. Visitors can see the route and the many places to get on and off (access points) on our interactive map.
Plants and animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are also threatened by airborne sulfur and nitrogen pollution. The park receives the highest sulfur and nitrogen deposits of any monitored national park.
The lush mountain forests of the Smoky Mountains are threatened. Devastating tree pests can enter the park through infested firewood. The majestic forests of Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains are at risk. Foreign insect pests and diseases threaten to kill hundreds of thousands of trees.
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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