I was looking forward to seeing the Great Smoky Mountains!
Did you know that this park is the most visited park in the United States?
The Hubster and I stayed overnight in Cherokee, North Carolina, (the capital of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and part of the traditional homelands of the Cherokee people. In the 1870s, the Eastern Band purchased the land for what is called the “Qualla Boundary”).
*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!
We saw black bear here, but didn’t get photos.
I love how green it is, and all of the beautiful wildflowers!
I had to have the Hubster pull over while on our scenic drive just to catch the rays!
We stopped at the Mingus Mill to explore.
Designed by millwright contractor Sion Thomas Early and built in 1886, this historic grist (grain) mill uses a water-powered turbine instead of a water wheel to power all of the machinery in the building.
A miller is on site to demonstrate the grinding of corn into cornmeal, which can be purchased. However, it was closed temporarily for preservation and rehabilitation work.
While the mill itself is closed, one can still freely explore the area.
Mingus Mill was the largest grist mill in the Smokies, and is said to have served over 200 local families.
Mingus Mill became so important and successful because it used a steel turbine to power the mill’s stones and machinery, rather than the more commonly used wooden wheel.
You can see where water from Mingus Creek feeds into the flume-like millrace.
It channels the water downhill so that it gradually picks up speed.
The water is filtered along the way in order to remove any leaves, twigs, or grit before it reaches the turbine.
The water reaches a 22-foot drop, where it pours into a reservoir known as the “penstock.” It is then channeled through a steel pipe and into the mechanisms of the turbine.
The water turns the blades of the turbine, which turns the massive millstones in the mill house above to grind the grist into grain.
It was a serene place for us to stretch our legs; only two other couples visited while we were there.
If you visit the Smoky Mountains, and love history, then you might not want to pass this up.
See the world around you!
LC's Cottage 
Do you have suggestions for the best season to visit and maybe some small cabins to rent? Your pictures are beautiful.
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Hi Pamela! I am from the west and this was my first visit here. I have no experience with small cabins to rent. Thank you for your visit to my blog and the compliment! 🙂
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Heading that way soon. Mountains are my happy place.
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I am so glad that you are able to go to your happy place, Donna! Do you rent cabins there? Are you able to help Pamela (in the comments she asked for advice)? 🙂
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We rented an apartment through Vrbo. We didn’t do much site seeing and it was a short stay.
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Hallo Laura, thank you so much for sharing these pictures. This is may be the most visited national park, but over the ocean the main tourist offers are south west. What is not on my focus. I have this on my list as well. Next year Oregon! As well individual planed. The pictues with the clouds are amazing. How mils functioned in old times is always interesting, we use food without knowing the real work behind it today often. A good bread, (ok, we Germans are bread lovers), butter and an fresh apple now in fall time! Need not more!! Ok, some quilting!! Guess the amazing greens are good for soul! Happy weekend
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Hi Eva! I love bread too! I don’t grind my own flour, but I do make my own bread. I also have apple trees, so I couldn’t agree with you more!
I think you will love Oregon…lots of beauty there! I have a sister who lives in Oregon…she visits the beach everyday. 🙂
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Hi Laura! Staying in Cherokee, NC?!! I’m amazed that a city was allowed to be named after our Native Americans, based on what I’ve read and how they were removed from their land. Beautiful pictures! It’s so nice to see after the huge fire they had last year. I was really worried but, of course, Mother Nature is able to take some things in stride and recover. So cool to see the state line!! Also cool is how the mill ran the turbine to grind the grain for free. Over 200 years ago! You would have thought we would have capitalized on those ideas or at least learned from it! Thanks again for sharing. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
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Roseanne, Cherokee is the capital of the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, one of three recognized Cherokee tribes and the only one in North Carolina. My first grandson is registered here. I wish we had the time to go to the excellent Museum of the Cherokee Indian, where some of his grandfather’s art is displayed, but that didn’t work out. Perhaps another time. 🙂
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I found it interesting to see your photos and read your story, Laura! I hope to visit there in the future since my DD2 is going to college in western NC now!
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That’s great, Nancy! I hope you get to see her soon! 🙂
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What an interesting site!
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It is interesting, Kathy! I wish we could have gone in the mill! 🙂
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I love these vacation posts!
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Thank you for the encouragement, Connie! 🙂
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Just checked with the hubster and sadly we did not go thru there on our last trip east. So glad you got to experience this gorgeous place and shared it with us.
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Perhaps the next time that you go east you will be able to visit the Smokies, Sharon! 🙂
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I’d love that!
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You weren’t to far from where we are. It is beautiful here in the mountains, fall time is a very pretty time as well.
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So cool! I did not know you lived near there! I have seen fall photos before, so I would definitely love to visit then! 🙂
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