| What is Cade's Cove? | | | | As you take the 11 mile road that surrounds the |
| A cove is a relatively flat valley between | | | | cove you will see dozens and dozens of places |
| mountains or ridges, according to the Smokey | | | | that are just begging someone to throw down a |
| Mountains Association. Cade's Cove is a perfect | | | | blanket and enjoy the peace and quiet of the |
| example of this definition. | | | | cove. You will see trees in the meadows that you |
| Located just 23 miles south and west of | | | | just know were once climbed by the kids of the |
| Gatlinburg, high in the Smokey Mountains Cade's | | | | cove. These trees are perfect to throw your |
| Cove takes you back in time to the early 1800's | | | | blanket and watch the wild animals graze in the |
| when the cove was first inhabited. This has been | | | | meadows beside you. |
| home to as many as 125 families since the first | | | | There are also old home sites surrounding the |
| settlers came over the mountain on old Cherokee | | | | cove, some only accessed by trails leading from |
| Indian trails about 1820. The main road you take | | | | the road. On our last visit we took a road to |
| into the cove from Gatlinburg didn't even exist | | | | Parson's Branch near the far end of the cove. |
| until 1934 when it was built by the park service. | | | | This road passes in front of one of the preserved |
| When you decide to take the windy mountain | | | | homes where we saw a family of 5 breaking out |
| road to visit the cove take a picnic basket along | | | | the picnic blanket and the picnic basket. The kids |
| with the thought that you are going to truly | | | | were enjoying the stream that ran in front of the |
| enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that Cade's Cove | | | | former family home. I wondered how long it had |
| has to offer. | | | | been since this home had heard the sound of kids |
| It has hundreds of acres of mountain meadows | | | | laughing and playing. Certainly, the former |
| surrounded by some of the most beautiful | | | | inhabitants would be pleased to see their home |
| mountain ranges in the Great Smokey Mountains. | | | | site being used in such a pleasant and happy way. |
| These meadows gently slope downward toward | | | | If you would rather sit at a picnic table Cade's |
| the bottom of the cove where you will find trout | | | | Cove can accommodate you. Near the cove's |
| and otter filled streams that flow from one end | | | | entrance you will find a nice picnic area that has a |
| of the cove to the other. | | | | stream running alongside. Setting up your picnic on |
| These meadows are home to a host of wild | | | | any of these tables will give you a comfortable |
| animals, many of which you will see roaming the | | | | seating area with the sounds of a running creek |
| same meadows where you can throw your picnic | | | | to complete your picnic experience. |
| blanket and enjoy the scenery. On our last visit to | | | | So, if you are anywhere near the Great Smokey |
| the cove we saw whitetail deer roaming, grazing | | | | Mountains you should pack your picnic basket and |
| and playing within yards of people who had never | | | | make plans to spend time in Cade's Cove soaking |
| been so close to wild animals. | | | | up the great scenery, the relaxing atmosphere |
| Picnicking in Cade's Cove | | | | and the peaceful tranquility of a picnic in the cove. |
