Jennifer New Writes & Reads

Smoky Mountains 27 Miles From   Gatlinburg,TN Cades Cove. An eleven mile one way loop. The loop is filled with beautiful scenery and wildlife. Old homes and churches are scattered along the drive. Usually, at the beginning of the trip,we see big fat turkey and a buck will walk in front of the truck. Or like last time, five                                                           buck walked along the edge of the clearing as we viewed them through tree limbs and spring leaves just showing.

  They offer guided horseback riding. Along the fence, a couple of horses were craving attention.     What hams! They turned this way and that for great photo ops. I actually had a crow pose on a fence post not four feet from me. I saw the mischievous  look on his face! He had been watching me. He knew my phone camera paused,focused,paused again,then took the pic. Right as it began to click,I think he laughed,then he flew. Stinker!

Unfortunately, the rain took over. We cut short our walk to a cabin that sits far,far back. Remember I mentioned the loop is one way?  There are places to pull over and take pictures, go on hikes, or just take in the scenery. But when you get back in your car, you are at the leaders mercy. That one driver that creeps along, thinking they might miss something. Patient, we are not.

At one stop in the loop is a church and a graveyard. We always see people running with their cameras. There always seems to be a momma bear somewhere and a baby up the tree. We just drive on. No point in further upsetting her.

Close to the end of our trip is a restroom.                 Then a recreated village. Very nicely done and always makes me want to live there for awhile. Camping is also available, as is primitive camping with a permit. We could take a hayride. We could find a waterfall then settle down for a picnic. We could spread out a blanket and watch clouds go by. Day trips here are beautiful. So when we are able to come back and spend more than a few hours in this area, I will enjoy sharing more pictures. Maybe fall colors!