Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
National Park
High fuel costs have caused us to stay closer to home for much of this
year. Fortunately, we have one of America's great playgrounds right in
our own backyard.
year. Fortunately, we have one of America's great playgrounds right in
our own backyard.
We camped at
Smokemont in the
Smokies Park.
Smokemont in the
Smokies Park.
Cherokee was less
than 10 minutes away.
than 10 minutes away.
We were glad to
see the Cherokee
language included
on all signs.
see the Cherokee
language included
on all signs.
We attended the drama, "Unto These Hills,"
that tells the story of the forced removal of
the Cherokee from their homeland. We
arrived early so we could watch the ground
crew work!
that tells the story of the forced removal of
the Cherokee from their homeland. We
arrived early so we could watch the ground
crew work!
The early birds were
treated to some
lovely traditional
music performed by
members of the
Navaho and Apache
tribes.
treated to some
lovely traditional
music performed by
members of the
Navaho and Apache
tribes.
The drama is now produced by the
Cherokee Nation. It is a much
improved and authentic version of
the story that is entertaining and
educational.
Cherokee Nation. It is a much
improved and authentic version of
the story that is entertaining and
educational.
The "Eagle Dance" has been
retained in the drama because of
its popularity with the tourist, but
really has nothing to do with the
Cherokee.
retained in the drama because of
its popularity with the tourist, but
really has nothing to do with the
Cherokee.
We explored some unpaved back roads
in the park, and we were rewarded with
some fine views. We only saw two other
vehicles on this several mile trek.
in the park, and we were rewarded with
some fine views. We only saw two other
vehicles on this several mile trek.
This bull elk caused a
quite a traffic jam back
on the main road as we
were returning to camp.
quite a traffic jam back
on the main road as we
were returning to camp.
Martha poses at an
historic cabin near
the Oconaluftee
Visitor Center.
historic cabin near
the Oconaluftee
Visitor Center.
A small herd of elk
cows and calves
came out to visit with
us while we were
there.
cows and calves
came out to visit with
us while we were
there.
Elk have become the
new bears for visitors to
the Smokies. Bears are
infrequently seen on the
roadsides anymore, but
the elk have taken their
place. Whenever there
is a traffic back-up, it is
likely for an elk.
new bears for visitors to
the Smokies. Bears are
infrequently seen on the
roadsides anymore, but
the elk have taken their
place. Whenever there
is a traffic back-up, it is
likely for an elk.
Somehow a fantastic
vegetable garden is
being grown at the
visitor center
despite the severe
drought we are
experiencing.
vegetable garden is
being grown at the
visitor center
despite the severe
drought we are
experiencing.
The chickens even
came out to greet
us.
came out to greet
us.
We had so much fun
that we went back
again four weeks
later.
that we went back
again four weeks
later.
Smokemont is an
awesome camp-
ground with lots
of shade and cold
mountain water.
awesome camp-
ground with lots
of shade and cold
mountain water.
Note that long sleeves
were needed. The
temps never got out of
the 60's at the camp-
ground while we were
there in mid-August!
were needed. The
temps never got out of
the 60's at the camp-
ground while we were
there in mid-August!
This is a time to relax
and read. Appro-
priately, Terry was
reading, "Into The
Wild."
and read. Appro-
priately, Terry was
reading, "Into The
Wild."
Martha's sister,
Barbara, along with
her daughter and
grandson Audra and
Kaleb joined us for
a long weekend.
Barbara, along with
her daughter and
grandson Audra and
Kaleb joined us for
a long weekend.
Kaleb is fascinated
with Martha's MP3
player.
with Martha's MP3
player.
He shares his newly
learned skill with
Mom and Oma.
learned skill with
Mom and Oma.
Audra and Kaleb
Terry sending smoke
signals with the grill.
signals with the grill.
The big event of this
trip was Martha finally
purchasing a hand-
made basket after
looking for many years
for just the right one.
It was worth the wait
as this is a beauty
made by award winner,
Lucille Lossiah.
trip was Martha finally
purchasing a hand-
made basket after
looking for many years
for just the right one.
It was worth the wait
as this is a beauty
made by award winner,
Lucille Lossiah.
On our last day of this trip we decided
to venture across the park to the
perpetual traffic jam known as
Gatlinburg, TN.
to venture across the park to the
perpetual traffic jam known as
Gatlinburg, TN.
We gave into Kaleb's
begging and sat
around a campfire
that evening despite
a light drizzle of rain.
begging and sat
around a campfire
that evening despite
a light drizzle of rain.
Barbara and Terry
assist Audra to take
down her tent.
Sadly, this camping
trip is over, but
there will be more
to come.
assist Audra to take
down her tent.
Sadly, this camping
trip is over, but
there will be more
to come.