This is going to be a day of firsts for this trip. The first first was breakfast prepared on the camp stove. We had not “cooked” a meal on this trip. We’ve prepared many meals inside the Roadtrek; mostly salads and cold cereal. But, this morning I unpacked the camp stove and cooked “Toad-in-the-hole”.
Our second first was to take a real hike, hiking boots and all. It felt good to stretch our legs the five plus mile hike out to Abrams Falls. The trail starts about half way around the Cades Cove loop drive. It was interesting to walk across the log bridges that cross a number of streams as we made our way to the falls. In California, this type of bridge would be nearly impossible because of liability concerns. But here, in the Great Smokies, a log with a handrail along one side is all that is needed. Added a primitive and enjoyable element to the walk.
By Yosemite standards, the falls aren’t spectacular but the water flow was good and they sounded like a locomotive roaring along the tracks. There were a few people at the falls when we arrived and more arrived before we left. We never felt crowded. My only comment is, “Why do smokers feel the world is their ashtray”. Everyone packed out what they carried in except the smokers would not pick up their butts.
The Cades Cove loop drive in 11-miles long with many stops along the way. Each stop is for some older home, church, or mill. Most dating back into the late 1800s. Some were occupied into the 1940s, when the government evicted the last residents to complete the acquisition of land for this park.
The mill is actually in operation grinding corn into meal. We have been to many historic mills in our travels but this is the first one that we’ve seen in operation, still being powered by water. What a great sight and sound.
We’ve decided to stay one more day to enjoy this area.
As always, you can see all of our pictures on our Picasa site.
