On Wednesday we took a 2.3 mile hike to Laurel Falls. It was a 
paved trail so we thought it wouldn't be as muddy as some other trails given all the rain. As expected (though we were in denial that it would be reality), the kids complained almost the entire way up. I must admit there were so very steep parts. We were about 10 minutes into the hike when Rachel actually sat down in the middle of the trail and just refused to hike any further. We pushed her onward.
Needless to say, it was unspoken that we would probably not be doing another hike during our vacation. The kids just wore us out. If there was any way to drive into Gatlinburg without spotting go-carts, putt-putt golf, arcades, and pancake restaurants we may have had more cooperative children. I think their minds were already distracted and filled with all these other activities that they wanted to do.
paved trail so we thought it wouldn't be as muddy as some other trails given all the rain. As expected (though we were in denial that it would be reality), the kids complained almost the entire way up. I must admit there were so very steep parts. We were about 10 minutes into the hike when Rachel actually sat down in the middle of the trail and just refused to hike any further. We pushed her onward.David fussed a little at times but then became a very happy hiker when he realized that Mommy would take pictures of him along the way. Of 
course, the kids were happy then, but it added a lot of time to the hike.
The sign I included at the end of the last blog entry was posted at the beginning of the hike as well as three-fourths of the way up the mountain. It was pretty much a straight dropoff ledge behind Greg in the picture here. There were minutes when I was scared about the steep drop off, but the kids didn't seem to notice. Greg & I just paired up with one and kept them on the inside of the trail near the mountain wall.
course, the kids were happy then, but it added a lot of time to the hike.The sign I included at the end of the last blog entry was posted at the beginning of the hike as well as three-fourths of the way up the mountain. It was pretty much a straight dropoff ledge behind Greg in the picture here. There were minutes when I was scared about the steep drop off, but the kids didn't seem to notice. Greg & I just paired up with one and kept them on the inside of the trail near the mountain wall.
Naturally, a light rain started upon our arrival at Laurel Falls, so we didn't spend a lot of time sitting & enjoying the rushing water. They were pretty spectacular. I would have enjoyed them more if I hadn't been so mentally drained from the uphill whining and occassional request, "Mommy, I want to ride the go-cars."
Needless to say, it was unspoken that we would probably not be doing another hike during our vacation. The kids just wore us out. If there was any way to drive into Gatlinburg without spotting go-carts, putt-putt golf, arcades, and pancake restaurants we may have had more cooperative children. I think their minds were already distracted and filled with all these other activities that they wanted to do.The next day we decided to see Cades Cove. Cades Cove is a prairie-like valley in the Smoky Mountains that was once a thriving community. Pioneers settled in Cades Cove in the 1800's. We spotted wild turkeys and deer during our drive through the cove.
There were over 50 families, each averaging between 6-10 children. By taking a drive through the cove on a one-way road, we were able to stop & see many of the original churches and homes left in the cove. Each provided a unique insight into the life and times of this historic area. The Oliver family with 5 children lived in this home. The boys slept in the attic space while the parents and daughters slept in the main level. The next 2 families to live in this house, had 9 and 13 children, respectively. They never built an addition they just lived in the space Mr. Oliver had felt sufficient for his family of 7.
There were a couple churches - Baptist, and Missionary Baptist (those who left the Baptist Church and started a new one because they believed in missionary work). The Methodist church in the cove was the most ahead of its time. The Methodists believed that men and women should congregate together....husband and wife sitting side by side in the pews. The Methodists, however, copied the construction plans from the Baptists. The Baptist Church building had 2 doors - one for the men to enter and one for the ladies. Each entrance would lead them into their own pew sections. So, the Methodist church had 2 doors, however couples entered either of them, together hand in hand for Sunday church services. The members of this Episcopal Church arrived in the cove a few decades later and drew up their own blueprints for a one-door church.
There were over 50 families, each averaging between 6-10 children. By taking a drive through the cove on a one-way road, we were able to stop & see many of the original churches and homes left in the cove. Each provided a unique insight into the life and times of this historic area. The Oliver family with 5 children lived in this home. The boys slept in the attic space while the parents and daughters slept in the main level. The next 2 families to live in this house, had 9 and 13 children, respectively. They never built an addition they just lived in the space Mr. Oliver had felt sufficient for his family of 7.There were a couple churches - Baptist, and Missionary Baptist (those who left the Baptist Church and started a new one because they believed in missionary work). The Methodist church in the cove was the most ahead of its time. The Methodists believed that men and women should congregate together....husband and wife sitting side by side in the pews. The Methodists, however, copied the construction plans from the Baptists. The Baptist Church building had 2 doors - one for the men to enter and one for the ladies. Each entrance would lead them into their own pew sections. So, the Methodist church had 2 doors, however couples entered either of them, together hand in hand for Sunday church services. The members of this Episcopal Church arrived in the cove a few decades later and drew up their own blueprints for a one-door church.
This large tree was near the Oliver Home. It immediately captured my attention while standing on the back porch.
On Saturday, our last day in Gatlinburg, Greg wanted to drive up to Clingsman Dome, the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains. As we were driving the clouds got thicker & thicker and the temperature dropped from 70 to 55 degrees. There was a steep, half-mile trail up to the top of the peak. At the trail's end, you can catch the view of the mountains by walking a couple hundred steps up an observation tower. Greg decided to go it alone since the weather was not ideal. I stayed with the kids & plugged in a movie in the car for them. Greg was gone for about 5 minutes when the rain started to pelt the car. It was the worst downpour of the week. Here's the picture Greg took to prove he made it to the highest peak in Tennessee!
We drove home on Mother's Day after a pancake breakfast at FlapJacks in downtown Gatlinburg.
1 comment:
What a fun trip! I too remember standing in front of that white church. Cade's Cove is so beautiful.
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