Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On the way to Townsend, TN, Jim got a bad migraine, so I suddenly had to drive for hours and we detoured to avoid the super highways that make me uncomfortable.   We stopped for an almost inedible dinner at the wrong restaurant in Maryville and arrived very late in the dark.  The next day, Jim felt a little better, but not well enough to go out for the day.  I drove to Cades Cove alone later than I planned. 

I stopped to see the John Oliver place on a hill.

After a very long traffic jam, caused by a bear sighting, I stopped at the edge of the road, to learn what was happening.  I photographed the back of a black bear before it walked away.  A lady with a long lens told me it was a male, but there were usually more.  I drove away and after about 50 yards, a woman signaled for me to pull over.  I didn't.  Later, I heard there were SEVEN bears I missed when I didn't pull in.  I'm including my BAD photos of the bear. The joke was on me.  Ha Ha!

At the Methodist Church, rebuilt in 1902, there was a small graveyard.

The Missionary Baptist Church was built in 1915 and was active till 1944.

Near the Cooper Road Trail, the view was lovely.

 The biggest exhibit was at the Cable Mill Historic Area and Visitor Center.  The old John P. Cable Grist Mill was picturesque, even though the light was dappled.  Built in 1868, it is still in use, grinding corn meal and flour.

The Gregg-Cable House had a very rustic roof

and there was a big barn with a "drive through" in the middle.

At the Dan Lawson Place, there was big water puddle reflection in the barn that was interesting.

At the Tipton House, built in the 1870's...

 there was a big Cantilever barn replica across the street.

My last stop in Cades Cove was the Carter Shields Cabin, dated around 1910.

After leaving the park, I reached Townsend, about 5 minutes from our cabin, where I received about 10 urgent messages from my poor husband who had suffered through another nasty migraine headache.  Feeling awful, I rushed back to see him.  

Our Cades Cove Cabin

Callaway Arts and Crafts Show This Sunday

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Travel to Mammoth Cave Kentucky

More about our trip to the mountains: From our hotel, I didn't realize how close we were to Mammoth Cave, and I followed the directions to the highway instead of looking at the map, and delayed us an hour because we 

couldn't get turned around on the freeway. Frustrating!  I still had time to 

take the 10:30 am Passage tour down 80 steps, through the original entrance and saw some of the early saltpeter mining operation and the Rotunda Room. I nearly had a heart attack going back up the 80 steps in a hurry as the last person on the tour.   Photography was challenging, no flash or tripods and VERY high speed.

     Steep original entrance

      Rotunda Room.  Underneath is highlighting the historic that was done.

      Years ago, it was this dark in there!

     Going out again.

While waiting for Jim to take the Frozen Niagara tour at 2:30 pm, I took Sarita on the Heritage Trail to see the grave of the freed slave Stephen Bishop who was a tour guide at Mammoth for many years. The grave was almost hidden at the back of the little cemetery and difficult to photograph. The trail also went to sunset point, a pretty view.

     Grasses at Sunset Point

 I took the Frozen Niagara tour at 4:15 pm and took the optional 98 steps round trip to see the Drapery room with stalactites and stalagmites. Mammoth cave has more than 400 miles of passages.

      Volunteer tour guide

     Black and white was better than the orange lights in the cave!

     Frozen Niagara

     Drapery room, looking up.

     That's water at the bottom.

     Leaving

      A Service dog had to walk across soapy water solution to help curtail the spread of white nose syndrome that harms bats, along with all the people.

      Nice sunset

      Our hotel, Park Mammoth Resort

     Interesting chandelier at the hotel.  Most of the guests were hunters.

     Jim loves rocks!  Big Mikes

      Mikes had a fun house.

     Picnic spot in Tompkinsville City Park, on the way to Townsend, KY and the Great Smoky Mountains.