Who Knew!

     We had heard from many people about how beautiful Eastern TN is  but until recently had never had the opportunity to visit and find out for ourselves.  Who hasn't heard of The Great Smokey Mountains, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg?? Or even Dolly Wood for that matter! Nothing prepared us for what we were going to see once we arrived. As we traveled south and first arrived in Pigeon Forge we were a little taken back.  Bumper to bumper traffic as far as the eye could see! Billboards, advertisements, restaurants, water parks, race tracks, talking dogs, and people everywhere! Ugh. Surely this is not what we came this far to see....then as we came into Gatlinburg, it was 'different', but still packed with humanity. It's actually a very beautiful town.
   We had read before heading out that the Great Smokey Mountains is the busiest National Park in the United States. We just didn't realize that most everyone stayed in these two towns. Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. I got on our GPS and found that our campground was 28 miles south of Gatlinburg, deep in the Smokey Mountains, so that was encouraging. Things were finally looking up! After trying to stop at one visitor center (there was no parking for the behemoth we were hauling), and then finally going in and getting a map at the second visitor center we were on our way!  To say the drive was spectacular does not even describe it. What. A. Beautiful. Place.  We arrived at Smokemont Campground about six-thirty in the evening and quickly got settled in. The photos that follow are just a tiny sampling of what we saw and enjoyed the five days we were there. Again, if you click on a photo you can view it full size. Enjoy!

When we pulled into the campground and stopped to fill up with water I hopped out of the truck with my phone to snap a picture. We were parked next to a bridge and this caught my eye. This little out of the way spot is beautiful with a river running underneath.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Directly out the rear window of our 5er is this view! At night it has so many fireflies lighting up through the trees!

 This area reminded us so much of a rainforest. It's lush, it's green, it's very damp, and the smells are wonderful! Wish this photo was a 'Scratch 'n Sniff'!

Our first morning out we just did some sightseeing, not wandering too far. The Smokies. Aren't they gorgeous!

 The next day we went to a very popular area called Cades Cove. It is an 11 mile loop where there is always a good chance to see wildlife. We were warned that it could literally be bumper to bumper traffic. Fortunately, we did not find that to be true that morning. It is every bit as green as the photo shows. We did see a bear but she was way to fast for a photo. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings the loop is closed to  motorized vehicles until 10:00 a.m. It is only for foot traffic and bicycles at that time.

Beside the edge of the road near Cades Cove we came across a few groups of these Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. We later learned they were getting moisture from the ground. These are males in this photo.

 One area that we passed by is called The Sink. It's very swift and very dangerous. Every year someone foolish enough to get in the water here drowns.

In Cades Cover we came across this cabin. All of the structures in the park are originals that have been refurbished. No replica's. This was so fascinating to us!

The next day we hiked half a mile to a place called Clingman's Dome. Half a mile does not seem bad but it is oh, so, steep. Then when we got there it was socked in with fog. They 'say' you can see forever. We could barely see the dome.

We decided to go back early the next morning and we were in luck! The day before it was like the death march. Nose to butt people all sucking air! On this morning there were no more than a dozen people from top to bottom at any given time since it was just at sunrise. So worth it! Clingman's dome is set at about 6600 feet. The highest point in the eastern United States.

 The following day, which was Thursday, we visited a  farm museum. All of the buildings are originals that have been refurbished. I can't begin to post pics of all the different buildings but it was fascinating. It was beautiful. This particular home was built out of chestnut logs. The craftsmanship was something else. These people WORKED to live!

The view as you approach the farm.

 The garden....everything that was growing was so lush!

 In the living room area of the house...I loved this. I could imagine a woman sitting there by the light of the window doing her sewing.

 Hollyhocks in the garden....

 This river ran next to the farm and this tree was massive. You can tell a bit by how large the trunk is.

 A room with all the farming implements.

 Some old equipment. And I don't mean my hubby! Some of the other buildings were the Corn Crib, the Applehouse, the Springhouse, the Blacksmith, the Barn, the Chicken Coop....it just went on and on. Very, very interesting.

 The next day we visited a little town south of the park called Cherokee. It was in a very beautiful setting...we stopped at their Veterens Park and this bull was there painted to honor all branches of the military. These bull's were all over the town and painted in different theme's.

I loved how all the signs were in English and in Cherokee.

After we had some breakfast at Peter's Pancake House we stopped at a Gristmill that is still in operation! They still grind corn and wheat here.

It's run by turbine's and this is where the water comes to.

 This is where the creek is blocked and diverted to run down to the mill.

 It's a long trough made out of stone that the water flows through.

Then this wooden trough is below that. Look how the wood is jointed together!

Inside this is where they do the grinding.

 On our last day Mike and I decided to go horseback riding. I have always been so fearful of horses but also wished that I could ride one! So we decided to go for it. We went to Smokemont Stables and signed up for a 2 1/2 hour ride. Wow! Was I ever glad I did that! This horse is Deuce. I was paired with him and at first, oh, so, nervous.

 We rode up to a waterfall where we dismounted and spent a bit of time taking pictures before heading back down. Our guide was a 19 year old young man that has been riding since he was six. He was awesome and we had a ball! So glad we went.

We we returned we met Big Rob. He is a Percheron that is there at the stables to pull their wagon that they use for taking people out. He was beautiful. He was huge! He weighs about 2100 pounds.

I would have to say that by far, this, The Great Smokey Mountains was one of the most beautiful places we have visited thus far. On the way out I had to stop and snap a couple more photos. I can never do this place justice with my photos but I wanted as many memories as I could possibly get.

This had to have been an absolute joy for our Father to create! He is awesome in ALL He does! And to think He did it all for us!