TALBOTT, Tenn. — From sunshine to snow and everything in between, a sister and brother duo from Talbott documented their journey of hiking over 900 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Landon Stewart and Elizabeth Stewart are brother and sister with a passion for the outdoors. Landon is 8 years old, while his big sister Elizabeth is 10 years old. The duo started hiking when they were toddlers.
"It's just kind of become second nature," Jennifer Stoneking-Stewart, the mother, said.
Landon was 18 months old and Elizabeth was 3 years old when they learned about the wonders of the outdoors.
"I like like finding different kinds of mushrooms," Elizabeth said.
It was no surprise when they accepted one of the Smoky Mountains' greatest challenges -- the 900 Miler Club. A club made up of over 800 hikers who have hiked every trail in the Smoky Mountains.
"I had asked them one day, 'Do you guys want to be doing this with me? Do you want to join me in this?' And their answer was 'Yeah, sure,'" Jennifer said.
Three years, 1,165 miles and 150 trails later, the duo is on their way to being part of the 900 Miler Club as the youngest male and female.
For the family, it's a challenge that came with countless hours of preparation and dedication.
"It may take anywhere from five, six hours to maybe 10 hours," Jennifer said.
For the Stewart family, it goes beyond the terrain but is a way to connect with one of East Tennessee's treasures.
"I'm not hearing road noise right now," Jennifer said. "I can actually come out and I could hear the sounds of nature."
The family finished hiking all of the trails on Oct. 22. The 900 Miler Club said the family is working on the application. They would join more than 800 members.
A spokesperson said they are likely the youngest to finish the challenge.