June 14, 2022

Today, we started with an amazing hike, Spruce Flats Falls. The trail starts right near the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

It was a bit treacherous on certain parts of the trail.

Case was the butterfly whisperer! They wouldn’t leave her alone!

After our beautiful hike, we went to lunch at a place called Peaceful Side Social. The menu was right up my alley! I had a salad with quinoa, grilled chicken and a lemon vinaigrette. Casey had the flatbread, Cayden had the salmon which was served with quinoa with a dollop of seasoned green yogurt on top and Mike had a club sandwich. We all enjoyed our food there. We would go back for sure.

Their own brewery isn’t up and running yet, so they feature other local microbrews.

After lunch, we drove to the town of Townsend, which is where the Tuckaleechee Caverns are located.

The entrance to the caverns is inside their office!

We learned it was ok to touch flowstone walls because it is a dry, dead formation. We also learned not to not touch wet formations because the oils on skin kill it and prevent the stalactites and stalagmites from forming.

Stalactites and stalagmites only grow one inch every hundred years. This particular formation looks smaller than it is due to the vastness of the cavern.

A photo of a little drop of water (circled) that contributes to the growth of stalactites.

Black Spot on boulder is forehead oil where people have hit their head—bolder is 2 tons—one side holding it up is three inches the other side is three feet—was creepy to walk under

Cayden, helping our tour guide, Aliyah

These are nicknamed “elevator buttons” but are actually a natural formation in the cavern.

Taking a safe, quick drink from the spring water

Waterfall comes from White Oak Sinks which is inside the GSM National
Park

In front of the waterfall from inside the cavern

It was strange to learn that we were 600’feet below ground. This big room can hold an entire football stadium in it. Looks deceiving due to v-floor and dome ceiling.

After the caverns, we decided to take the Cade’s Cove scenic 11 mile loop (drive). If you stop at the entrance to the loop, you can grab a guide book that gives details about each of the numbered spots throughout the drive. It was an interesting tour that tells about what life was like/who lived in the area in the early 1800s. There are some amazing remains of cabins, barns, churches and cemeteries.