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 