CHEROKEE NC, MAGGIE VALLEY, AND THE NATIONAL PARK

Yesterday was moving day. Since we were only moving about 66 miles, we weren't in too big of a hurry and didn't think it would take too long. We ended up having problems with one of our slides on our fifth wheel. It is my responsibility to slide in the slides. Mr. W and I both do a "walk around" before we drive off just to make sure everything is in, down, closed, and shut. We had driven off and had not gone very far when Mr. W looked in his mirror and saw the slide was slightly out (4 inches) at the bottom. He pulled over, got in the trailer, pushed the button and it went in.  We started off again, had not gone far, he looked in the mirror and guess what? The bottom of the slide was out again.  This time we pull over on the shoulder of the interstate. You know the interstate where all the big trucks go by REALLY close and make your truck shake. Yeah, that's the same interstate.  He pushes the button and it goes back in.  We take off, go a little way down the road, and you guessed it! This time when we stopped and he pushed the button, the slide "jumped" as he described it. This time, the slide stayed put.  Anyone else had this problem?

OK, enough of that. We are staying at Pride Resort which is on Jonathan Creek Road on the way to Maggie Valley.  After we got settled, we drove to Maggie Valley and on part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you have a motorcycle or a sports car, you have to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway! Talk about curves! We also drove through the town of Cherokee which is an Indian reservation/town.

All of the above pics are on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The last pic was of the sun going down. We found this place that was clear and where we felt fairly sure that the sunset would be pretty.  However, it was around 6:30. We are in Eastern time zone. Mr. W said, "Let's sit here til the sun sets. It should only be about 30 minutes top." I'm sitting there thinking that if the sun sets at 7:30, we will be doing good.  But, what the heck, I'm in.  Can you hear the music played for Final Jeopardy in your head right now?  Well, believe me, I heard it a lot in my head as I sat there for 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE SUN TO SET! Not that I minded at all.... Finally, at 8:15, yes I said 8:15, the sun finally set! Of course, after getting some incredible pics, I was glad we waited.

Today, we decided to go see 2 of the 300+ waterfalls in the area.  Did you have any idea that there were 300 waterfalls in this area? Me neither! We also wanted to go to Clingman's Dome in the National Park. It is the highest point in the National Park. 

Soco Falls

Mingo Falls  This picture does not do this justice. This was absolutely breathtaking.

Clingman's Dome

Taken from on top of Clingman's Dome. Do you see the dead trees? They are Balsam Firs. An European bug, Balsam Wooly Somethingortheother, came in about 50 years ago and started killing the trees. All up the road, you could see hundreds of dead trees.  The park has sprayed soapy water on the infected trees to kill the bug.  It works but they can only spray the trees that are close to the road. They brought in a beetle to eat the bug.  They have tried many things and continue to try more things to get rid of this bug.

Also taken from on top of Clingman's Dome.

As a side note, the tower and the Clingman's Dome structure was first built by the CCC as a tourist comfort station. Also, on my way up and down, people were standing and watching a bear cub right off the path. I was so excited. But, by the time I got there, the cub had hidden itself in the woods.

On the road down from Clingman's Dome

Below are pics of a Gristmill in the National Park.  It was built around 1800. It was the first structure to be restored in the National Park.  It is still in operation today.  They make cornmeal and wheat flour there and sell it to the public. It was pretty interesting to see how it all works and watch the flour fill up the sacks.

Well, what would a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park be without having your picture taken by the sign? The park had a stand there for your camera with a secured wedge to use if you needed to raise your camera on the stand so you can set your timer and take your own pic. Those park people think of everything don't they.