Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Cades Cove - Townsend Tn

A visit to Townsend has to include a drive around Cades Cove.  The Cove is full of wildlife and beautiful settings.   The drive is on an 11 mile one way loop and makes for some nice photo ops.


We saw lots of mule deer.


These guys both had a rack of antlers.  You have to look hard to see them on the second buck.


Old wooden stack pole fences are found throughout the Cove.  These type fences were used by early settlers to the area to keep their livestock in check.  Wood was abundant and much easier and quicker than using stone, although you will see some stone walls used at times as well. 



The area is a great museum of life in the early years.  There was no electricity and creature comforts were few.  As you can see in this photo, the beauty of the area is unquestionable.



This cabin has a second level where the sleeping loft resided.


Stairs to the upper level.  Unlike today's luxury cabins, these homes were drafty and required a lot of work to keep the chinking set between the logs and wood slabs.


The main room of the cabins were the epicenters of the home....you stayed here if you wanted to stay warm from the huge fireplace and all the cooking took place in the main area as well.  No granite countertops here, no running water.  Makes me thankful for today's conveniences and the ability to flip a switch to stay warm.  I remember both sets of my Grandparents lived in homes without all the modern conveniences...both had electricity, but neither had indoor plumbing, so bathrooms were Outhouses located a little way from the home, for obvious reasons.  Water for cooking had to be drawn at the well and carried into the house...baths meant that you hauled in bucket after bucket of water and heated each one on the stove and poured it into a large galvanized tub.  My Granny Powell had an electric range, but my Grandpa Griffith had a big black wood stove for cooking. 


I hope you enjoyed the tour and I'll leave you with one last image of the snow capped mountains surrounding the cove. 

I'm joining the party for Outdoor Wednesday with Southern Daydreamer.  Please click the link to visit her and read through the other Outdoor Wednesday goings on. 

Be sure and check my sidebar for a great giveaway from Tara's Twilight Party...yummy cake pops.  She will enjoy the visit and you might pick up some party ideas as well.  Also on my sidebar, you can click the Dunkin Doughnuts icon to go to the site and receive a free ground coffee sample sent to you via the good old postal service.  While browsing the sidebar, there is also a giveaway going on over at Tales from Bloggeritaville.  Enjoy!

All The Best,
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24 comments:

Chubskulit Rose said...

This is very relaxing to see.

Chilly Walk

Unknown said...

Stunning photos. The first one of the little old cabin is just charming and sweet. My goodness, how times have changes.... Love the photos. Have a great day! JGG

Anita Diaz said...

How wonderful to see this! We live very close and have taken many vacations and just picnics there. We used to ride bikes around the "loop" and have always loved that area. Beautiful, and breathtaking photos!!

Julie Harward said...

What a beautiful place and I love the old cabin! When I was little my parents were still having to haul water in like that. Sounds like a fun day! Come say hi :D

WoolenSails said...

That is a beautiful area, love to go for rides in areas like that.

Debbie

Theresa said...

WOW Anita! Breathtakingly beautiful! I love the little cabin and all of it rustic features. Love the fence and the picture of the mountain is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the pretty pictures with us. Have a blessed day!

Light and Voices said...

What an adventure you had on that drive. I personally love seeing deer.
Joyce M

Marsha said...

I really enjoyed this visit, the scenery was spectactular! Next best thing to being there seeing it through your lens - thanks for sharing!

pam said...

Wow, beautiful and I learned a lot.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Absolutely stunning photos...and this is a wonderful place to visit!!!

♥ Kathy said...

I love the deer! Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Americana Lady said...

America the beautiful, gotta love it and its history! Joan

Ms. Bake-it said...

What fabulous photos Anita! The view is spectacular. Thank you for the informational and scenic tour of Townsend and Cades Cove.

~ Tracy

Sue said...

Wow-I feel as if I just took a mini-vacation. Your photos are beautiful!

Renee @ AddMoreChocolate said...

So many fond memories of our family's trip to Cades Cove. It has been 11 years, but it seems like yesterday. Thank you!

Hugs,
Renee

Its So Very Cheri said...

Wow-Anita those are some beautiful photos and I am so glad I was born in this day and age.

I am letting everyone know that I have moved my blog to my new site www.itssoverycheri.com
I need to ask you, to please go over and RE-SIGN up to follow me over there. Google won't let you take your Followers with you so you are no longer getting my info in your reader, unless you have gone over and signed up. Sorry if you have already done so, I am trying to go back and forth between both blogs as well as my new e-mail and my old e-mail.
I have lots of fun things going on over at the new blog, so I hope you will hop on over and check it all out.

I also have a new give-a-way starting tomorrow.
Cheri www.itssoverycheri.com

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Anita...

Ohhh my goodness...Cades Cove is simply "out of this world" gorgeous!!! The scenery...those snow covered mountains, the wildlife, and that sweet little cabin...is just breathtaking! Loved all of your photos, my friend...and I especially enjoyed the tour around that old cabin! That is just sooo interesting! I love investigating places like that! Hehe! Oh yes, I can't even begin to imagine the hardships that people had to endure during those days...we are such a blessed people with all of our modern conveniences!

I also really enjoyed the tour of the lodge that you stayed in! Okay...now that is my idea of a vacation! The lodge is simply fabulous! Loved your room with the log furniture and that bed looked sooo cozy! Girl, you are absolutely right about those magnificent doors with the trees! I've never seen anything like it...they are gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for sharing your adventures at Cades Cove and that beautiful lodge with us! Townsend, TN. is really a beautiful place!

I also wanted to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my Birds of a Feather tablescape and for leaving me such a sweet note! I really enjoyed your visit, my friend!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How beautiful! I have been hearing about it for years, but have never been! Now I think I must go! Happy Friday!...Debbie

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Anita! Hope all is well:) Your pictures are stunning! I love those deer shots...and the mountains look so pretty! I have heard of this area, not been close to there though....perhaps someday!

Connie said...

You took some beautiful pictures of a beautiful place! Love the old cabin, looks like something from Little House on the Prairie.

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

What a lovely place...I always thought a cove only referred to water...didn't see any! The last photo is lovely. SO happy I wasn't born during those times :-)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Haven't seen you around in awhile, Anita. Hope everything's okay.

Patty said...

Gorgeous photo's! This reminds me of where I used to go and visit my grandmother as a kid, thanks for posting!

Theresa said...

Hi there, just checking in on you! Enjoy your day!