My vacation in the Smokies - Cades Cove

[Bill Wood]

Last week my wife and I traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains with her sister and husband. We spent most of our time in Cades Cove. That's the beautiful part of the Smokies untouched by commercialism. It's known as the "quiet side of the mountain". There are a few old homes and buildings left from settlements in the 1800's but mostly it's fields and woods teeming with wildlife.

We rented a 3 bedroom log cabin in Townsend, TN from Blue Smoke Mountain Cabins. They only have 5 rental cabins on 25 acres on the side of a mountain. If you're looking for quiet seclusion, this is it! The cost is very reasonable, too. Just $110/night for 2 people and $10/night for each additional person.

The first 2 pics show the cabin we rented. The next 3 show some of the beauty of Cades Cove. It is a valley surrounded by mountains.

[Bill Wood]

You cannot believe all of the wildlife in Cades Cove. Every single day we saw deer, black bear and wild turkeys. Early May is a great time to visit because the bears are coming out of hibernation.

[Dee8go]

Wow, I love the view from that front porch. Thanks for the pictures.

[Bill Wood]

There are several original cabins, barns and structures still left from early settlements in the Cove. The entire place is a photographer's dream.

Highly recommended for a great vacation!

[kerry]

I've been there. Great place. Looks like you have a good time.

[Mistress]

Wow. Bill what great photos, what kind of camera do you have?

[Bill Wood]

Originally Posted by Mistress

Wow. Bill what great photos, what kind of camera do you have?

Nikon D300 & D200.
The lenses I used were 12-24 f/4, 70-200 f/2.8 and 300 f/2.8. Sometimes I used a 1.4 or 2.0 teleconverter on the two f/2.8 lenses. Gitzo tripod and Wimberly sidekick.

[speace]

Originally Posted by Webmaster

There are several original cabins, barns and structures still left from early settlements in the Cove. The entire place is a photographer's dream.

Highly recommended for a great vacation!

We went there a few years ago! It is a great step into the past.

As I understand it, the land was purchased as a park. The owners packed up and walked away leaving it virtually as it is today.

I have a painting on my wall of the cabin in the second pictue of post #4.

[Angel]

Wife and I go camping near teh smokies at least once every 2 years. - cool place, local to Ohio. Cades Cove is always a stop. We normally bring our bikes and ride the 11 mile loop (wednesday mornings ? when they close the road ?). We (suckers) even bought the corn meal for her to make cornbread out of

(unfortunately, I don't think I like "good" cornbread)

Quite a cool place. I know that we will be back (once the 2mo.old grows up a bit)

I will have to remember that cabin your stayed in- price sounds great !

-John

[Bill Wood]

Originally Posted by speace

As I understand it, the land was purchased as a park. The owners packed up and walked away leaving it virtually as it is today.

Some of the people were forced out even though they had no running water and no indoor toilets. They wanted to stay instead of accepting the buyout. Most people accepted the buyout. The original deal allowed owners to stay until their death if they wished but some people tried to extend the deal to include children and grandchildren. Eventually the park service had to draw a line in the sand I think.

People were still being buried in the family cemeteries there as recently as 1975.

[djugurba]

Great pics! We swung through there about 10 years ago just for the day- ended up camping at a site in the first park campground up the road from Gatlinburg. Not nearly as nice. I'd forgotten the name, but looked it up from this thread and sure enough, that's where we were. Gorgeous place.

If I remember correctly, Cades Cove Rd. was almost as fun as the destination.. lots of S-curves and switchbacks.