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