Wednesday, March 6, 2016. Sunny to overcast, temps in high 50s, some wind. Boy has worked mowing the afternoon before and this morning. Now it's time to play as rain is coming for a couple of days making it iffy to play. So at 12:45 p.m. I pushed Lil Hoss out into the open air and took off. Decided to head down Boyds Creek to Chapman, US 441 to Wye Rd. Heading for Cades Cove the somewhat back way.
Wye Rd. is probably one of the straightest roads around here. You may go up and down a hill or two but for miles it's like an arrow. Trees are really blooming this Spring.
Pasture land is turning lush green and with the every few days of rain should remain that way for a while. Nice to see green again instead of tan or brown from the winter.
Then a turn or two and another road and we're headed toward Maryville but on the northeast side. This takes us by the UT Ag. Station and puts us on the Old Walland Hwy. along the river.
Looking at the mountains in the background of the UT Ag. Farm.
The old Walland Hwy. is a nice serene road which in the summer is often filled with bicyclists also. It rambles along the river that comes Townsend way.
Closer to Walland you start seeing a lot of small houses and/or cabins on both sides of the highway. The river side often is just a sliver of land but it seems someone will prepare it for seasonal use by an RV of some type along with "Tiny Houses". Some have been here a very long time.
This is for my son Shane Ward, The Riverstone Restuarant in Townsend, TN. Best Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich in the country. Along with the beer battered fries and homemade cobblers. I just passed it by this trip. Honest.
As Townsend ends the Nat. Pk. begins. Shortly afterward you have to make a decision, go to Cades Cove or back toward Gatlinburg. The Cove it is today.
The high to Cades Cove follows the river that seems to swap sides of the highway every so often. The roadbed itself is from the days of logging in the mountains and is the old railroad bed. The Elkmont Campground area was the main location for the sawmill that cut the logs into usable timber.
The lone tunnel between Townsend and Cades Cove. Some nice water shots on the right side of the highway in this location.
The river isn't deep enough to do any canoing or kayaking but give it a day or two with the coming rain and then you'll see it rushing faster and deeper.
It's a peaceful ride to the Cove today, not that many tourists yet. In another month or two I just stay away from this place except maybe early in the morning while the tourists are dining on pancakes and biscuits and gravy.
A few miles down the road you're in The Cove. At one time there were a lot of families that lived in this area. No Walmarts near so you had to really work to keep body and soul together and fed.
One of the straighter stretches of road in The Cove. Often see deer in this area but with the windy conditions as well as plenty of green grass in the wooded areas, not many animals out today.
The mountains definitely have that smoky look today.
Leaves haven't come out on this old tree as yet, but give it a week or two. Either way, the crows seem to like it as a resting place.
A family picnic in the Park.
These ancient layers of rock look good from any angle you want to take a picture.
There are two churches in Cades Cove, a Methodist shown here and prior to this location a Baptist on the opposite side of the road. There are also several cemeteries in The Cove. The area has a number of old home sites available to visit, some several hundred yards off the roadway. Lots of history in this community.
The large valley allowed for some great farming and grazing land. Today it is mostly enjoyed by people from all over the world vacationing in the most visited National Park in the U.S.
Redbuds and Dogwoods blooming along with small wildflowers enhance this tranquil place. You can almost hear the spirits of those that once lived here inviting you in for a cool drink of spring water.
One of the buildings on this homestead, probably served as a smoke house or a storage building.
Up from the above pictured building is the spring house where they kept the milk, butter and other such products, cool. Then the family house itself. Across the road is the corn crib and the cantilevered barn.
This sign intrigued me a bit. It shows a person taking a picture and across from it is a picture of an Elk and a Black Bear. It reads "Warning - Stay back 150 yards." I'm wondering if this is for people or for the animals. Knowing the people, they wouldn't pay any attention to the sign to begin with. It must be for the animals so they will maintain safety for themselves.
Out of the Cades Cove Loop, which is about 12 miles around, by the campground store for a cup of Joe, and then headed back to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area and the back road into Wears Valley. Just follow the river and don't turn at the junction into Townsend.
Through Metcalf Bottoms, into Wears Valley, run a bit of US 321 and then make a left turn to run Goose Gap and Bluff Mtn. roads over to US 441 back to the house. Winds have picked up a lot making it a gusty ride. Humidity has also picked up making this winter jacket start to get a bit warm. A wonderful way to end the day of laboring. A total of 93 miles today door to door while riding with a grin like a possum eating grapes. It just doesn't get much better than this.
So until the next Adventure, keep yourself safe so that you can enjoy the coming days with happiness. Say hello to your neighbor and/or a stranger just to make them feel welcome.
Wye Rd. is probably one of the straightest roads around here. You may go up and down a hill or two but for miles it's like an arrow. Trees are really blooming this Spring.
Pasture land is turning lush green and with the every few days of rain should remain that way for a while. Nice to see green again instead of tan or brown from the winter. 
Then a turn or two and another road and we're headed toward Maryville but on the northeast side. This takes us by the UT Ag. Station and puts us on the Old Walland Hwy. along the river. 
As Townsend ends the Nat. Pk. begins. Shortly afterward you have to make a decision, go to Cades Cove or back toward Gatlinburg. The Cove it is today. 
The high to Cades Cove follows the river that seems to swap sides of the highway every so often. The roadbed itself is from the days of logging in the mountains and is the old railroad bed. The Elkmont Campground area was the main location for the sawmill that cut the logs into usable timber. 
Leaves haven't come out on this old tree as yet, but give it a week or two. Either way, the crows seem to like it as a resting place. 
These ancient layers of rock look good from any angle you want to take a picture.
The large valley allowed for some great farming and grazing land. Today it is mostly enjoyed by people from all over the world vacationing in the most visited National Park in the U.S. 
Redbuds and Dogwoods blooming along with small wildflowers enhance this tranquil place. You can almost hear the spirits of those that once lived here inviting you in for a cool drink of spring water. 
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