Gear to hit the great outdoors in style Home contractor Skip Bedell shares outdoor gadgets and gear perfect for the summer travel season. When it comes to hiking in the Southeast, most people immediately think of the Smokies , the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail.  And for good reason. The area is an absolute wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. You could spend a lifetime exploring these mountains and still not run out of trails, waterfalls, trout streams and scenic overlooks. But,