This photo was taken along the Gatlinburg Trail, near the Sugarlands Visitor
Center. It's an easy trail -- the first half-mile or so is paved -- a
perfect warm-up for future visits into the park!
The Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove -- the church was founded in 1827,
and this building was built in 1887. To the left is a cemetery. One
of the stones had a puzzling epitaph: "______________, murdered by North
Carolina Rebels." Later, I learned that during the War Between the
States, this congregation were Union sympathizers and had to suspend services
because of harassment from Rebels. From an official church correspondence:
"We the Primitive Baptist Church in Blount County in Cades Cove, do show
the public why we have not kept up our church meeting. It was on account
of the Rebellion and we was Union people and the Rebels was too strong here in
Cades Cove. Our preacher was obliged to leave sometimes, and thank God we
once more can meet."
Mill Creek in the Cable Mill area. There's a grist mill on its original
site, along with other historic buildings -- a house, corn crib, smokehouse,
barns -- that were brought from elsewhere in the park.
These deer couldn't have cared less that we were about 60 yards away. They
are used to visitors, and know quite well that they own the place!
The cabin of George Washington "Carter" Shields
Yes, that really is a bear in the center of this photo. Yes, that's about
the best shot I could capture of it. About 1500 bears live in the park,
but for the most part they manage to elude visitors.