We start the day with a 1 mile Nature Trail Hike in the Campground
Great bridges to cross the Bradley Fork of the Oconaluftee River that follows the road through the Smokys
Nature trails are usually easy but this one goes up hill to the ridge
Back across another bridge
Next we head just down the road to Mingus Mill
Built in 1886, this historic grist mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery
Water flows down a millrace to the mill
We venture down to the Visitor's Center
It has interesting displays on the Smokys and Appalachia
I take the walk down to the Mountain Farm Museum along the Oconaluftee
It consists of a collection of farm buildings assembled from
locations throughout the park
Most of the structures were built in the late 19th century and were
moved here in the 1950s I especially like the barn.
The Davis House a rare chance to view a log house built from chestnut wood before the
chestnut blight decimated the American Chestnut in our forests during
the 1930s and early 1940s
The Settlers make birdhouses out of Gourds and placed them by the cornfield to attract birds that would eat the insects. Monsanto wouldn't like that practice to come back into vogue!
Back to the Campground we see more Elk
Later that evening we have a campfire. I got up to put more wood on the fire. When I turned around there were two Elk walking behind our chairs. I quick leashed Tucson and ran in to get my camera.
One has a set of Antlers already
They wandered down the campground road behind us.
and had a little snack
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