Not much photography today as we hiked in Bell County, KY in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. We then drove about 70 miles to get near Great Smoky Mountains National Park for our hiking and exploring tomorrow (Wednesday). We were going to stay in a park in Pigeon Forge, TN which is relatively near the National Park. Oh my goodness was that a mistake. The best and only good thing for us in Pigeon Forge (Home of Dollywood and oh so many more tourist traps) was the Publix in which we stoked up on groceries. The entire town was a combination of Las Vegas, Daytona Beach and Orlando and Disney World with even more "junk." We couldn't get out of town fast enough and drove on another 30 miles getting just outside the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains NP, the most visited National Park in all of the US. And in the small world category, the lady that checked us in to the KOA where we're staying works part of the year at the only KOA in St Pete, the one out near Bay Pines.
The trail we hiked followed the 1907 roadbed of an Object Lesson Road. Early in the 20th Century, most rural roads, especially here in the Appalachians, were little better than in the days of Daniel Boone. The US Dept of Agriculture sponsored the building of short segments of smoot, crushed-rock roads graded for good drainage in key, high-visibility spots around the nation. The object of the lesson was to convince voters of the convenience and value of building better roads with up-to-date techniques.
The carvings on the trail posts are quite intricate.
South end of a northbound Garter Snake on the trail
And an Eastern Gray Squirrel with "Alien Eyes" watched us go by.
Beautifully carved stump chair
Pop-up trailer (in it's "poped-up mode") pulled by a big motorcycle.
Since TN is a 6 point favorite over my Gators this coming Saturday, I thought I'd put this one in BEFORE the game.
Brown Pelican on Bird Island in Coffee Pot Bayou doing his all-important pouch-stretching exercises which help keep the pouch pliable and supple for its fish-catching duties.
The trail we hiked followed the 1907 roadbed of an Object Lesson Road. Early in the 20th Century, most rural roads, especially here in the Appalachians, were little better than in the days of Daniel Boone. The US Dept of Agriculture sponsored the building of short segments of smoot, crushed-rock roads graded for good drainage in key, high-visibility spots around the nation. The object of the lesson was to convince voters of the convenience and value of building better roads with up-to-date techniques.
The carvings on the trail posts are quite intricate.
South end of a northbound Garter Snake on the trail
And an Eastern Gray Squirrel with "Alien Eyes" watched us go by.
Beautifully carved stump chair
Pop-up trailer (in it's "poped-up mode") pulled by a big motorcycle.
Since TN is a 6 point favorite over my Gators this coming Saturday, I thought I'd put this one in BEFORE the game.
Brown Pelican on Bird Island in Coffee Pot Bayou doing his all-important pouch-stretching exercises which help keep the pouch pliable and supple for its fish-catching duties.
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