Isn't this beautiful? I am in the love with the mountains. I miss the forests from home, and this park has felt like home.
I spent a few days in Gatlinburg this past week. Actually, I slept at a cabing in Gatlinburg, because the days were spent in the National park. I was absolutely impressed. The whole area is not just stunningly beautiful, but so well taken care of, full of histroy, wildlife and fresh streams.
The Great Smoky Mountains are among the highest peaks in the Appalachian mountain range, yet they are rounder and lower in elevation than younger mountain chains such as the Rocky Mountains. How they came to be this way is a story that began almost one billion years ago. I could write a lot about the tectonic events from way back when, about the sedimentation process and the errosion that took place with time. Or, you can go here and read for yourself: http://www.smokymountainsvisitorsguide.com/geology.htm.
I will tell you though, about the great Cherokee legend about the formation of the Smokies.
Way before any life existing on Earth, the Earth was floating on the waters like a big island. In the beginning the earth was flat, soft, and moist, just a big mud pile. Though living creatures existed, their home was up there, above the rainbow, and it was crowded. "We are all jammed together," the animals said. "We need more room." All the animals were eager to live on the Earth, and they kept sending down birds to see if the mud had dried and hardened enough to take their weight. But the birds flew back and said that there was still no spot they could live on.
Then the animals sent Gandfather Buzzard down. He flew very close and saw that the earth was very soft, but when he glided low over what would become Cherokee country, he found that the mud was getting a little harder. By that time Great Buzzard was tired and dragging. When he flapped his wings down they made a valley where they touched the earth; when he swept them up, they made a mountain. At last the earth was hard and dry enough, and the animals descended. That's why there are so many mountains in Cherokee country.
Before making humans, Someone Powerful had created plants and animals. After creating plants and animals, Someone Powerful made man and his sister. All of the people are their children.
The sadest part is that the Cherokee people had to give up their land to the white man. The Trail of Tears is a story for some other time...
Meanwhile, the mountains are there with energy and strength, amazing in their stability and grounded through years, pain, beauty and tears. The people that take care of the park, the Rangers, are awesome. Their dedication to preserving this island of peace is rewording and refreshing. There are no fees in this park. There are no wireless spots, restaurants, or any of the modern day tools. And it feels so good.
I really think you should go. Seriously.
Then the animals sent Gandfather Buzzard down. He flew very close and saw that the earth was very soft, but when he glided low over what would become Cherokee country, he found that the mud was getting a little harder. By that time Great Buzzard was tired and dragging. When he flapped his wings down they made a valley where they touched the earth; when he swept them up, they made a mountain. At last the earth was hard and dry enough, and the animals descended. That's why there are so many mountains in Cherokee country.
Before making humans, Someone Powerful had created plants and animals. After creating plants and animals, Someone Powerful made man and his sister. All of the people are their children.
The sadest part is that the Cherokee people had to give up their land to the white man. The Trail of Tears is a story for some other time...
I really think you should go. Seriously.
When I was a kid, we used to travel up to the Smoky Mtns from Florida, and later Atlanta. I remember the tourist areas like Gatlinburg with all of the shops and hills, but my fondest memory is a cabin my family rented with my cousin's family in Franklin North Carolina - up on top of a mountain with an amazing view. I remember long hikes, shooting my BB gun, swinging on vines, sliding on the rocks in the river, fishing in stocked trout ponds and eating the fish at night. There was also the day spent gathering blackberries in a seemingly endless patch of them in a beautiful little valley and eating them for breakfast with milk and sugar. Oh, and panning for rubies! Magical times. I'm glad you had fun.
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