We have now finished three drives suggested by one of the tourist map-ads we picked-up when we got to Gatlinburg. On these trips we learned that you can’t be in a hurry on Memorial Day Weekend, discovered why these mountains are called the Smoky Mountains, and got a chance to see a number of old churches and homesteads. There were people everywhere, even out on the roads and you really can’t pass on a two lane road with heavy traffic going both ways.
The first drive was to the top of the mountain to Clingman’s Dome. This drive provided a number of overlooks to see the great views of the surrounding hills but al
l of them are restricted by the haze that hangs over the mountains, thus the Smokies. Brochures explained that the haze is worse now than it use to be because of human pollution and that some days are better than others. We had great views but it would be nice to have been able to see all that was shown in some pictures and postcards. The only problem is how many days do you have to wait to get that perfect day? At the top of the mountain they have created a ramp to take you up to a viewing platform that overlooks the trees and allows you to see as far as the haze will permit. It was a half mile hike up hill to get to the viewing platform and though Marilyn was not sure she would leave bench #4 (of five) to finish the hike, she did and we have our picture to prove it.
The other two drives were similar to each other but differen
t. Both of the drives had a number of farms and homes build about 1900. With the homes there where also water powered grinding mills, barns, and other building that the families would need. Most of them were in very good shape consider the years and the lack of regular maintence. The one very sad thing that could be seen everywhere was the need for people to have to write their name so they could let people know they where there.
The Cades Cove Loop was a more open area and had many areas that were covered only with grass. While the Roaring Fork Trail didn’t have the large open areas and was much rockier. Trees had taken back the land and what once was a corn field was now covered with trees. All the churches we saw were on the Cades Cove Loop. The hard life of the early settlers was evident in the rocky ground they used to grow their crops and the small homes that provided shelter for their families. Both of the loops were one way roads but the Roaring Fork Trail was very narrow and winding up and down hill while the Cades Cove was flat and more open.
We didn’t see a lot of wild animals which is to be expected as each time a deer or bear was spotted there where people stopped and out trying to get that great picture. The animals were soon chased away to more peaceful locations. We did see both bears and deer without a chance to get the perfect picture and a number of wild turkeys in the grassland of the cove beyond the distance for settable pictures. Of course there were the flowers and butterflies along with the pesky small flies.
The first drive was to the top of the mountain to Clingman’s Dome. This drive provided a number of overlooks to see the great views of the surrounding hills but al
l of them are restricted by the haze that hangs over the mountains, thus the Smokies. Brochures explained that the haze is worse now than it use to be because of human pollution and that some days are better than others. We had great views but it would be nice to have been able to see all that was shown in some pictures and postcards. The only problem is how many days do you have to wait to get that perfect day? At the top of the mountain they have created a ramp to take you up to a viewing platform that overlooks the trees and allows you to see as far as the haze will permit. It was a half mile hike up hill to get to the viewing platform and though Marilyn was not sure she would leave bench #4 (of five) to finish the hike, she did and we have our picture to prove it.The other two drives were similar to each other but differen
t. Both of the drives had a number of farms and homes build about 1900. With the homes there where also water powered grinding mills, barns, and other building that the families would need. Most of them were in very good shape consider the years and the lack of regular maintence. The one very sad thing that could be seen everywhere was the need for people to have to write their name so they could let people know they where there.The Cades Cove Loop was a more open area and had many areas that were covered only with grass. While the Roaring Fork Trail didn’t have the large open areas and was much rockier. Trees had taken back the land and what once was a corn field was now covered with trees. All the churches we saw were on the Cades Cove Loop. The hard life of the early settlers was evident in the rocky ground they used to grow their crops and the small homes that provided shelter for their families. Both of the loops were one way roads but the Roaring Fork Trail was very narrow and winding up and down hill while the Cades Cove was flat and more open.
We didn’t see a lot of wild animals which is to be expected as each time a deer or bear was spotted there where people stopped and out trying to get that great picture. The animals were soon chased away to more peaceful locations. We did see both bears and deer without a chance to get the perfect picture and a number of wild turkeys in the grassland of the cove beyond the distance for settable pictures. Of course there were the flowers and butterflies along with the pesky small flies.
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