The weather has been absolutely wonderful here, highs in the 70s and lows in the high 50s. Today, we headed out to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cades Cove was a farming community with about 125 families in the area in 1900. The present 11-mile one way Loop Road was an unpaved two way road used by residents.
There are over 80 historic buildings in the park, many of them concentrated in this area.
Our first stop was the John Oliver Place. Built in the early 1820s, this cabin is the oldest log home in Cades Cove.
There were open fields throughout the route showcasing the mountains in the background.
We turned onto a little road leading to the Primitive Baptist Church and on our way saw several cars stopped and people out walking. It might be a bear and it was!
It wasn't very big, but we were happy to see one in the wild. We definitely weren't as close as the picture looks. Thank goodness, my camera lens does a great job zooming in.
There were several beautiful old churches in the area. This is the Missionary Baptist Church built in 1915.
We arrived at the Mill Area Walking Tour.
The grist mill is on its original site. Other historic buildings were brought from elsewhere in the park. The grist mill still operates.
There are lots of great tunnels throughout the park.
After following the loop in Cades Cove, we followed the river down Laurel Creek Road. What a beautiful drive!
We stopped to see Meigs Fall which is right off the road.
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