We join Twister's parents, Les
and Joy, for a trip to Cherokee, North Carolina
every year. In 2000, we went during the first
week of June. So we got to spend Gambler's birthday,
June 4th, in the mountains. When we were pulling
out of Florida we passed a bank thermometer that
said 103º. The high the whole time we were
in Cherokee was 85º and the low was 35º
so needless to say it was quite comfortable up
there.
We got to Cherokee a little early
and decided to go the Cherokee Bear Park and Petting
Zoo. We fed the bears and goats and took a few
pictures. A few of them even decided to pose for
his snack.
Les and Joy pulled their camper
like they always do and we got a two room cabin.
Our sites were next to each other and right on
the creek. The KOA has lots of fun things to do.
We even played a LITTLE chess.
At night we sat around the camp
fire and talked. This time Scott got a little
carried away with the fire building, it was the
last night so we were burning off all of our wood
and he is kind of a pyromaniac.
We took many day trips while
we stayed in the mountains. In Gatilinburg, Tennessee
there is an amusement park called Ober Gatilnburg.
They have all kinds of neat things to do. They
even have a bear habitat with three sections of
bears. Allthough I think we might have gotten
there at nap time.
We also got a chance to drive
through the mountains in the Great Smokey Mountain
National Forest. We got many pictures from both
the roadside parks and from Clingmans Dome.
Over the years we have found
a love for going whitewater rafting and since
the Pigeon River was so close, we headed out.
The Pigeon River white water rafting expeditions
run from the North Carolina / Tennessee State
line north for about 1.5 miles. We decided to
go down the Pigeon this year because it was the
first year that Nantahala Outdoor Center has been
running on the Pigeon River. The Pigeon River
is a class III-IV river. There is even a rapid
that has has a rock the size of a VW bus under
it. The water flows over the top of it and then
falls down creating a churn. Churns are places
where the water will tend to trap a raft if you
are not strong paddlers. This is the only class
IV rapid on the Pigeon River. The rest of the
river is class II and III.
There is one thing that both
of us look forward to every year it is getting
to see all of the beautiful waterfalls. Some of
the falls we know the names of the others are
just little falls on the side of the road that
we like.
Bridal Veil Falls is a tall water
fall that has very little flow to it. The road
has a turn off that allows you to actually drive
behind the waterfall. We stopped there and walked
across the highway to get this picture. To get
to bridal veil falls, leave Highlands, NC and
travel north on US64 towards Franklin. Some people
call this road, Waterfall Road. Be forewarned
this is a STEEP and WINDING mountain road. Not
for the faint of heart or bad drivers.
Dry Falls is the next waterfall that you come
to when traveling from Highlands to Franklin.
There is a rest area on the left as you are traveling
north. Turn in and park then you will have to
walk about 1/4 mile down to the falls. Dry Falls
is a very deceptive name for this fall because
as you walk behind the waterfall you do not really
stay all that dry. There is a $2.00 parking fee
to go down but believe us it is completely worth
it
Cullasaja Falls is a little bit further down the
road on the left. To get the best view wear tennis
shoes and walk down the path and around the corner
just a bit. You can see the same view from the
road but it just isn't the same as stopping and
hiking down to see it up close.
We even found a waterfall on US441 between Cherokee,
North Carolina and Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the
second scenic overlook. It is a short hike down
to the water but again there is a nice fall to
make it worth your effort.
Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation
about 9 miles down Big Cove Road.
There is a bridge that allows you to get across
the river then you have to hike about 1/4 mile
up some stairs. Gambler walked up the falls just
a little bit by stepping on the rocks on the side
of the river. He got about 1/4 of the way up the
falls before he stopped to take a close up picture.
