Great Smoky Mountain National Park

We have been in Maggie Valley, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the better part of the last week. If you have never been here, it’s beautiful. Not only is there the National Park, there is also Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest. There were a few nice days and a few days of rain when the tops of the mountains were obscured by clouds. We came in search of some “fall color” when the leaves are changing. There were a few vibrant trees but for the most part, I think we were probably a week too early. While we were here, we drove on another section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We went to the Cataloochee section of the national park. The park service has preserved many historic structures here. You can tour a school, churches, a barn, and several homes in the valley.


Five historic buildings are located along the road in the valley. An additional 4 buildings can be reached if you're willing to walk a couple miles down the nearby Little Cataloochee Trail. This area is also where you are likely to see the elk herd. It’s mating season and we heard a few of the males bugling.

One day we visited the Mingus Mill. Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building. It was very cool.


We also stopped by Clingman’s Dome, one of the highest points in the park. It was a Saturday in October (read: very busy) and the parking lots was overflowing. By the time we made it to the top, a fog had rolled in and the area was packed with people so we moved along and found a less crowded trail.