July- Spending time with family Part 5- Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains

Since we had some time between meeting Cindy in Knoxville, and going on to Charlotte NC, we decided to take a little side-trip to Gatlinburg, TN. I wonder what makes these mountains actually smoke?
At the entrance to Cades Cove, we stopped to get a map of the scenic drive-thru. For those of you who are familiar with the story of Sargent Alvin York, this is an area very similar to the valley where Sgt. York grew up. Their customs, religion, lifestyles are much the same.
Wild turkeys
Daniel Boone actually explored in this area, making way for the white settlers. The drive was very scenic...

Cindy and Dan and Rebecca followed us through the drive-through tour.

curving and twisting through the hills.

We first stopped at the Primitive Baptist Church.

The steeple and bell

A tour guide gave us a history of the area, but especially the churches and religious practices of the people of Cades Cove. I especially appreciated their view of making decisions. "Thus saith the Lord" was how they lived.

Behind the church is a graveyard with tombstones dating to the 1700's.

This man was a part of the NC Militia in the Revolutionary War!

This couple was the first settlers in the Cove.

Sarah and Hannah took many pictures along the route.

The scenery was exquisite!

Cindy, Steven and Cathy

Dan and Rebecca's family

Our clan The next stop we made was at Aunt Molly's place.

There is a cabin, that is now a gift shop.

A blacksmith shop

A mill- they were actually making flour inside.

This was the style of barn they commonly used in the cove. The middle opening was for livestock to get in out of the rain or heat.