Vacation Part IV

The next day we decided to drive up into the "mountains".  It was beautiful.  As we drove for miles I noticed something.  Millions and Millions of trees.  So, I thought I should post a few pictures of them.  Just to reassure anyone who is concerned that we are running out of trees.  They are alive and well, not only in NC but now in the Smokey Mountains.  It was a beautiful site.  We couldn't see anything else on either side of the road but trees.

We drove to a place called Cade's Cove.  It was a little settlement that I can't figure out how they ever found it in those dense trees and miles and miles away from Gatlinburg.  It was a great little place.  As we were walking back to the car from seeing one of the settler's homes McKenna decided to run down the dirt path away from us.  Tim started chasing her but she just kept running and running until she found this lone tree off to the side and ran right to it and sat down.  It was quite funny at the time probably not so funny in written form.  But since she's so cute the picture can be enjoyed.

This is the water wheel that powered the mill.  There was a giant mill that ground wheat and corn.  It was awesome but definitely wouldn't fit in my kitchen.  The stones were so large all the girls could sit on one.

 The Mill

                                                        After lunch.  Did I mention how hot it was?

The resort that we stayed at was right near this bridge.  Every time we drove through, Tim had to honk, of course.  McKenna loved it so she would yell "TUNNEL!"  whenever we came close to it.

After leaving Cade's Cove, we noticed a sign that said "Waterfall" so we had to stop.  It was a 1 1/2 mile hike up a pretty decent hill.  The girls did great.  McKenna walked about 1/2 of it.  We definitely followed the example of the pioneers trying to keep her mind off of it and singing along the way.  It was a beautiful waterfall and worth the walk.