Disappeared in the Great Smoky Mountains: The Story of Polly Melton

**Information is obtained from the Where are they? Podcast and other online sources as cited**

At age 58, Thelma Pauline Melton was living her best life- Or so everyone thought.

It was 1981 and Thelma- who usually went by Polly- was living in an Airstream camper with her husband. They lived part of the year in Jacksonville, Florida, and would spend a few months every fall camping in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Polly loved the outdoors and hiking, and although she did have some minor health issues, she was still able to enjoy hikes through the National Park.

Her husband was almost 20 years older than her, and he was usually unable to go with her on these hikes.

In September of 1981, Polly and her husband were camping at the Deep Creek Campground.

On September 25, Polly and two friends decided to go hiking at a popular trail- the Deep Creek Trail- a trail she was very familiar with and had done many times.

Polly and her friends headed off, and her friends made a little joke with her about Polly walking too slow, slower than usual. Polly started to speed up, passing her friends and walking on ahead. Her friends chuckled and Polly kept walking, going around a bend.