Weekend Getaway to the Mountains
This weekend our getaway with friends is to Maggie Valley and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park home to wildflowers and black bears.
We rented a beautiful home called Mountain Haven. High in the mountain tops overlooking Maggie Valley, it gave you a real sense of peacefulness.
We arrived on Thursday and spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Ending the night outside on the deck talking and enjoying an outside fire.
Unfortunately, there was no outside firepit, so we improvised with the BBQ grill. It worked for us.
Wheels Through Time
Friday turned out to be an overcast rainy cold day. So we took a trip back in time, to the Wheels through Time.
With over 300 of Americas rarest and most historic classic motorcycles on display along with an array of unique American Automobiles and memorabilia.
Most of the machines still run and are started regularly for visitors. The staff is very knowledgeable and will explain the history behind each and every machine.
Give yourself plenty of time there is so much to see.
Soco Falls
We continued our day with a drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway towards Cherokee where we found Soco Falls.
Located in the Cherokee Nation off Hwy 19. It’s only a five-minute walk down a maintained trail to a viewing platform and a steep trail leading to the bottom of the falls.
We didn’t try to venture down as it was quite steep and with the rain slippery. The view from the platform was amazing well worth the stop.
Climbing back from bottom of the falls 
Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smokey Mountains
Saturday we woke up to a beautiful day with blue skies and a crispness to the air. Actually, it was really cold. We set off to explore the Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Once an Appalachian community and Cherokee hunting grounds. Today it is home to many historical buildings including a school, church, barn, several homes, and the majestic elk. We spent the day hiking to the historical old building and watching the elk.
Fall is known as the rut. During the rut, male elk make bugling calls to challenge other bulls and attract cows. Dominant bulls use the fields to gather and breed with harems of up to 20 cows. Bull elk actively defends its territory by charging and sparring with competitors using their antlers to intimidate other males.
This is a favorite spot for locals and visitors to visit and view the elk. When we arrived there were people gathered in the fields with chairs, cameras, and binoculars to view the bull elk and cows as they graze in the fields.
Cataloochee Ranch
We ended our day at the Cataloochee Ranch at the top of the mountain just down from Cataloochee ski lifts. Set a mile high on Fie Mountain, Cataloochee Ranch offers spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains.
The Rustic Ranch features cottages, a restaurant, and horseback riding. It has recently been purchased and is undergoing renovations.
Hoping we can return one day and stay.
This was a truly amazing weekend. Spent with great friends, and beautiful mountains views.
Post your comment