Keeping Our Rhythm

We were hitting our stride for visiting pancake restaurants. This morning, we dropped by Log Cabin Pancake House for our morning flapjack fix. If a restaurant has cabin and house both in its name does it make it extra special? Well this place certainly had some unique topping combinations. Crystal was sticking with her berry heavy choices, but I still wanted to test the waters. A plate of Caribbean Pancakes was certainly out of the ordinary. The pancakes had slices of bananas cooked into the batter, and then topped with more of them. It was also sprinkled with coconut, powdered sugar, and chopped pecans. These were certainly the most unusual variety of hot cakes I sampled.

Selfie Stops

With breakfast done, it was time to head out of town. Today’s schedule had lots of car time, but we left space for stops, as often as wanted. Passing through the park, on our Smoky Mountain Road Trip, we were enjoying the rushing water from the recent rains. It seemed like every curve we rounded offered another good selfie opportunity. After a while, we decided to get back to the main purpose of today’s drive.

Above the Clouds

With the sun threatening to make an occasional appearance, we headed off to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. This Appalachian roadway leads travelers along a path from Cherokee, North Carolina to Afton, Virginia. The 469 miles of scenic wonders were too much for our schedule, so we chose the section that leads up to Asheville, North Carolina.  Our path led us through multiple tunnels and past amazing overlooks. The 80+ miles of our route took us around 3 hours with stops. We limited our stops this direction, since we had decided to come back the same way.

Duck, Duck, Beef

With hunger setting in, we pulled in to Asheville to scope out a lunch stop. We saw plenty of familiar names of places on our itinerary, since many restaurants are regional chains. Our final destination brought us to Biltmore Avenue, where we tested out the dishes at White Duck Taco Shop. This place offers some interesting flavor combinations and is clearly a local favorite. (You can read about Blue Ridge and Asheville here.)

Scaling Heights

Our return trip saw the sun beginning to escape from the clouds. With the return of the light, we decided it was the perfect chance to scale Clingmans Dome. We had passed the turn-off earlier in the week, but the rain prevented a visit. This time we found that many visitors had the same idea as we had. We joined the line of hikers making their way up to the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains. Soon we were looking out over the beautiful blue mountains. (You can read more about Clingmans here.)

Da’ Bears

Even though the climb was a challenge, we couldn’t imagine anything that would top it. As we made our way down the mountainside, we came to a small pull=off parking lot, that is near a trail head. Earlier in our trip we had spotted a black bear running across the road ahead of us. It was thrilling and really excited Crystal. If you were following our Instastory, you probably saw her video clips during our Smoky Mountain Road Trip. You can see the clips in our Smoky Mtn. highlight reel on our Instagram profile page. (Connect to our Instagram account here.)

Say What?

As we sat there watching the mother and two cubs interacting, we were amazed to see them grazing on the native grasses. While we knew that they were omnivorous, it was a surprise to see how much grass they consumed. Soon a larger crowd appeared, and we witnessed the reason there are so many warning signs posted around the park. While we sat in our car and watched, others were getting out of their vehicles for closer views. It was a surprise that the mother didn’t get upset, as some people approached within less than thirty feet. It wasn’t long before the bears disappeared into the nearby woods.

Testing Our Skills

Back in town, we dropped our car at our lodging, before heading to dinner. We picked a fairly nondescript Italian restaurant along the strip. With the new influx of visitors for conventions, we noticed most of the restaurants were doing good business. After a meal filled with discussing the bears, we were ready to go explore some more of the strip. Just a short walk from our dinner location, we happened upon the Guinness World Records Adventure. This place was a cross between a museum and an arcade. It had tons of informational areas that taught us the background on some amazing feats that have been performed by average people. Mixed in, there are exhibits designed to allow visitors to attempt to set their own world record. While we may not have broken any standing records, we did get a chance to top our personal bests. (You can read more about our World Record attempt here.)

And Now For Something Different

Our last full day in Gatlinburg dawned with an air of anticipation. While we had enjoyed so many great activities during our Smoky Mountain Road Trip, our time was drawing to an end. The schedule for our day included spending the majority of it in the national park. A hearty breakfast was needed to fuel our activity. Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast Camp was highly rated by many of our readers who have visited this area. While the plan was to vary from our pancake tour, we ended up having Crockett’s version of a flapjack. (Check out the meal we had at Crockett’s.)

Falling For You

Now that our hungers had been satisfied, it was time to get ready for a day of adventure. We stopped by a local deli to pick up the makings of a good lunch, which we packed in our cooler. On this pass into the park, we tried to soak in all of the nature. We found a small waterfall behind the Sugarland Visitor’s Center, but knew we could do much better. Our path for the day had us heading toward Cades Cove, which is one of the most popular sections of the park. We didn’t have time to do much hiking prior to this day, so when we arrived at the trailhead for Laurel Falls, we made sure to stop. The hike is along a paved path, so we saw all ages enjoying this view.

Horsing Around

Once we arrived at our destination, our first stop was the Cades Cove Riding Stables. Crystal and I had an opportunity to go riding in the Rocky Mountains, so we were looking forward to this experience. The previous experience had us in a string of horses passing through the hills. This time our group was limited to just the two of us and our tour guide. What an amazing opportunity to get to spend some one-on-one time learning about life in this part of the country.

Big Wheel Keep On Turning

After our ride, we ate our lunch in the picnic area nearby. Just being in nature was extremely enjoyable and relaxing. Once we finished our meal, we started the auto route that follows the one-way road around Cades Cove. Along the way, there are some pull-offs and stopping points to explore. An old homestead with working grist mill was certainly one of the highlights. (Read more about Cades Cove here.)

A Day in the Life

With our day waning, we wanted to squeeze out every minute of our time on this Smoky Mountain Road Trip. Back in town, we decided to enjoy more of the the day without rain. A stop at  Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf was another chance to challenge our skills. While Crystal was in the lead so far, I was holding out hope of catching her. At this attraction you can spin a wheel to determine what odd manner you will need to putt from. As we played along, we saw lots of familiar cartoon characters.

Dining Nawlin’s Style

We felt like we had tested most of the mountain cuisines, so this final Gatlinburg dinner needed to be something out of the normal. Tucked away in a shopping alcove near our lodging, we found New Orleans Sandwich Company. Earlier in the summer, we had traveled to NOLA, so a chance to gobble down some gumbo sounded appealing. Boy, were we surprised at how good the food was at this place. By the end of our meal, we felt like we had just dined in the French Quarter.

Elevated Play

With the sun getting close to setting, we had time for one more round of miniature golf. Hillbilly Golf  was recommended by a close friend, so we were sure that we would enjoy it. We started our round by riding an incline train up a mountainside. Once up top, you play the course working your way down the hill. It reminded us a lot of being in the Ozark Mountains, which is one of our favorite regions to visit. This round I won, so in the end I decided to call it even. Since we don’t keep scorecards, it’s mostly just a gut feeling of who played each course the best. In the end, we just enjoy spending time together.

Our Final Flapjacks

In the morning, we packed our car to head west. We said our goodbyes to Gatlinburg, and made one last pancake breakfast stop, before leaving the area. This time, we went all out with our hot cakes of goodness. Smoky’s Pancake Cabin has a menu filled with some interesting flavor combinations, like the Blueberry-Lemon version that I had. Now that we were all pumped up with sugar, it was time to head to Knoxville.

Gateway to the Appalachians

It’s only about an hour from Gatlinburg to Knoxville, so we were pulling in just as the day was getting going. Knoxville sits just west of the Appalachians and we watched the mountains shrinking in our rear view mirror. This is the 3rd largest city in Tennessee, but it is easy to navigate. Since we were only in town for 24 hours, we focused our visit in the Market Square district. From this location, we could easily walk to all of the sites we would be touring. We found this World’s Fair city to be filled with some unique historical attractions, delectable dining options, and interesting outdoor art. (Check out our Knoxville adventure here.)

Making Memories

With our Smoky Mountain Road Trip winding down, we were relishing in our memories of pancakes, mountains, and bears. In just about a week, we had so many unbelievable moments to remember. Trips like this can be exhilarating, but require a good level of planning. We hope that by showing you the places we visited, and including plenty of photos, it might make your planning a little easier. Check out some of articles and let us know what you think. Do you see something we could add to our coverage to make it more helpful? Toss us a note in the comments section below and we will see what we can do. In the meantime, travel safely!

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Hitting the Road

While some would opt to fly to Gatlinburg, from Kansas City, we choose to drive whenever feasible. Knowing that we would be on the road for around 11 hours total, we decided to break up our drive into manageable pieces. Heading out after work on a Friday, we logged the first leg of the trip and spent the night in Illinois. Cruising a northern route, allowed us to pass through southern Indiana and into Kentucky. The sunshine had our spirits high, as we stopped to pick up some research material for potential future destinations. After many scenic stops, and a slow progression through Pigeon Forge, we finally arrived in Gatlinburg by Saturday evening.

First of Many

The next morning we woke to find that the rains had arrived, as well. Our lodging was just a block off of the main strip, so we had tons of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment. From our research, we had noticed an amazingly high number of pancake restaurants. It was decided that it would be fun to see how many we could sample, so our first breakfast was at Pancake Pantry. Since the early 1960’s, this flapjack house has been serving up stacks to customers from near and far. This was a great start to our Pancake Tour of Gatlinburg. (You can see more of our pancake stops here.)

Local Shops

The rain was fairly light, and we were well prepared for it. After spending so much time in the car, we wanted to stretch our legs for a bit. We decided to explore some of the strip. Window shopping is fun for a while, but fortunately many of the shops open up on Sundays. We popped in a few and explored their inventories. Most of the people we met were in a positive mood, even with the weather. We were settling into a relaxed state, and knew it was time to get going on our itinerary.

Rainy Days and Fun Days

Midday was approaching, so it was time to head to lunch. Even though the rain had increased in intensity, we were still impressed with the beauty of the region. Having the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop seemed to make Gatlinburg magical. As we made our way toward lunch, we watched some birds in Le Conte Creek.

Brightening Our Day

When life serves up a gray day, we have found that visiting a colorful restaurant will brighten our mood. No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina is a local chain with three locations. A survey of people on some East Tennessee Facebook groups identified this as a good option. Wanting to mix up our cuisine choices, we picked this one to be our Mexican food destination. Since this day was completely dedicated to pedestrian activities, we decided to enjoy a couple of adult beverages. In the end, this place ended up being a great choice for affordable food and drinks, and bonus points for being located within walking distance. (Read more about Jose’s here.)

Rainy Day turned Fun Day

Since we were already open to suggestions from our connections, our next choice was an easy one. Just across the street from lunch is the Ripley’s Aquarium. This looked like a great place to spend some quality time and get out of the rain. While there is plenty of moisture on the inside, it’s reserved for the specimens on display. We enjoyed exploring all of the exhibits and touch tanks. There were even a couple of surprises awaiting us. (You can read more about the aquarium here.)

More to Explore

We spent quite a while in the aquarium, and by the time we left the rain had subsided. Strolling down the strip, we happened upon a quiet alcove filled with shops. Avoiding puddles, we kept our umbrella handy just in case. Downtown Gatlinburg is very family friendly, and filled with plenty to explore. It seemed like we kept finding these little sets of shops tucked away from view, so be sure to investigate fully.

Get Mellow

By dinnertime, the showers had started again. While they weren’t hard enough to drive everyone inside, they were still a nuisance. Now seemed like a good time to head back indoors and grab some dinner. Mellow Mushroom caught our eye with their groovy color scheme. Inside, we clambered up the stairs that led to their second story location. Here, we had another chance to dabble in some adult beverages. I had just finished sampling some of the local moonshine, so we passed on this opportunity. We ended up discovering some really good pizza at a restaurant chain that we will be able to visit during other road trips (You can read more about Mellow Mushroom here.)

Startling Discovery

Once again, the rain had subsided, but the skies were threatening to open back up at any time. We decided to look for a little indoor entertainment, as we strolled down the strip. About a block away, we happened upon Circus Golf. This multi-attraction site looked promising for a silly time. Inside, we found that the mini-golf course is illuminated with black light, which made for some colorful fun. After playing a round, we decided to add a try at their Shoot’em Up Cinema. This attraction had us mounting up to try our skills at a modern day shooting gallery. While Crystal may get the upper hand at miniature golf, I have a dead-eye aim when it comes to shooting games. Score one point for each of us.

Rinse and Repeat

While the rain may have had us dodging in and out of shops, it made for great sleeping weather. We rose the next day to gray skies, but the rain seemed to be holding off. Breakfast meant another round of hot cakes, this time at Atrium Pancakes. It quickly became apparent that we would run out of mornings, before we ran out of pancake options.

Our First Smoky Excursion

The forecast still called for showers, so our jumbled itinerary had a day that would be perfect for intermittent rain. With a window of two or three hours before the rain, we decided to enjoy our first cruise into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After a quick stop at the welcome center, we made our way toward Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the way, we enjoyed the amazing views that come with a Smoky Mountain Road Trip.

Just Dropping In

The average time to pass through the park is estimated at around one hour, but we were in no hurry. The plan was to see some of the sights that were along the way. If you follow our Instagram account, you probably saw Crystal’s excitement when we spotted our first black bear. (You can follow out our Instagram account here.) Once we made it into Cherokee, we decided to stop for lunch. We weren’t sure how long our museum visit would take, but we didn’t want hunger to interfere. We found this family owned deli just a few blocks from our destination. Front Porch Cakery & Deli offers some interesting twists on many standard dishes. It was definitely a good find.

Getting to the Roots

Ever since we began planning this trip, a visit to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian had been high on our list. While I am unsure of any Native Indian in my bloodline, Crystal’s is a little easier to identify. Her family bloodline has a significant amount of Cherokee, so this stop was especially poignant. As we explored the museum, we found ourselves walking through the history of this proud people. Even through all of their trials, they have survived. It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit this museum. (You can read more about this museum here.)

Smoky Mountain Road Trip Discoveries

After our tour of the museum, we spent a little time exploring some of the shops in Cherokee. The road back to Gatlinburg gave us another look at the national park. Cruising through the winding roads, we noticed the numerous creeks that run within view of the road. Many of these were swollen from the recent rains, which made them all the more beautiful. We stopped at a couple points that offered easy access to the water’s edge. There are certainly tons of selfie spots dotted all through the park.

Run Forrest

Back in town, it was time to pick a dinner spot. Since this trip wasn’t quite like our other destinations, we were allowing ourselves to pick our dining spots on the fly. Our trip was designed to have us in Gatlinburg during weekdays in the middle of September. We assumed this would be less busy, since schools had started back up. When we arrived back in Gatlinburg, on this Monday evening, we noticed a slew of tour buses delivering crowds at the nearby hotels and lodges. It looks like we weren’t going to have the city to ourselves. Spotting a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, we realized that we had only dined at the one in New Orleans. It seemed like a good time to test this place out again.

You’re Unbelievable

To avoid the swelling crowd, we had dined earlier than normal. This left us plenty of time for some evening exploring. The Gatlinburg Strip stays busy until around 9:30, when the crowds begin thinning. We had seen the unusual structure for Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and decided to stop by for a visit. Inside we found lots of oddities and interesting factoids. This place has quite a few interactive exhibits, so we found ourselves acting like a couple of kids. (You can see some of the exhibits in this Ripley’s article.)

Putting Around

After our Ripley’s visit, we headed back out onto the strip for some more exploration. We passed by another moonshine outlet, where inside we saw plenty of people bellying up to the bar for their free samples. The shops were filled with souvenir shoppers looking for mementos to remember their own Smoky Mountain Road Trip. For us, we were just soaking in the rainy days and fun days that we were experiencing in this mountain town. We dropped into another one of the indoor mini-golf attractions that dot the strip, and played a quick round. By now, we weren’t worrying about keeping score, but just enjoying our time together. With a third of our trip concluded, it was time to get rest up for more adventure.

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Southern Start

The Blue Ridge parkway is 469 miles long, so we knew that only a portion would be in our near future. Our base camp of Gatlinburg lies near the southern end of the trail. After passing through the Smoky Mountain Park, we caught the start of the parkway in Cherokee, North Carolina. We were familiar with this native American town from an earlier visit to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. (You can read about the Cherokee Museum here.) This time we turned away from the town and started our adventure with nature at milepost 469. It wasn’t long before we began seeing flowing streams that cut through the mountains. The parkway was designed to allow travelers visual access to some of the most picturesque portions of the region.

Views for Miles

As we wound our way toward Asheville, North Carolina, we passed through mountain tunnels. The road climbs and falls, but most elevation changes are done gradually. We were amazed at the number of bicyclists we saw during our cruise, even with the inclement weather. Periodically, we would have a break from the sprinkles, and at times we even spotted patches of blue skies. It was during these that we would see the forests being illuminated by shafts of sunlight. It added a magical touch to an already memorable view.

To the Top

A little over half the way between Cherokee and Asheville, we came to the top of the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway. A quick stop for a photo opp, before continuing on our journey.  While the parkway offers ample hiking opportunities, the moist environment prevented us from testing them out. Instead, we focused on keeping our eyes peeled for more potential animal spotting. After seeing a group of black bears during our day at Clingmans Dome, we were hoping for additional sightings. (You can read about that adventure here.) We are guessing the weather was prohibiting this opportunity or else the creatures found plenty of space to forage well away from the road. Oh well, I guess we would find more adventure in Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheville Excursion

Before heading out that morning, we had already determined our turn around point. The plan was to make it to Asheville and have a quick look see. This city holds plenty of promise for a potential visit in the future, but for now we would just scratch the surface. We headed to the downtown region, since this is our usual focus when visiting larger cities. As we passed along the streets, we saw tons of interesting shops and restaurants calling our names. With lunch time hunger creeping in, the decision to grab a bite was easy. As we scanned the surroundings, we saw the familiar name of Tupelo Honey. This southern eatery was a delight we enjoyed in Knoxville, Tennessee. (You can read about Tupelo here.) We decided that a new taste was in store and parked on a side street that offered easy access to the main area of shops.

Quirky Lunch

As we made our way along the streets, we were enchanted by the beautiful visuals that we were seeing in Asheville. When we happened upon White Duck Taco Shop, the name intrigued us into making a visit. Inside we found a funky fresh atmosphere of bright colors and upbeat decor. It certainly had a playful mood going on, so we decided to give it a shot. The menu at White Duck is filled with an assortment of unique street tacos. Sure you can get the normal steak, chicken or pork, but your choices don’t end there. How about a Crispy Chicken BLT or maybe Lump Crab? You can also sample a Thai Peanut Chicken or perhaps Duck with Mole.

North Carolina Tacos

For our lunch, we settled for a pair of street tacos accompanied by a side of Watermelon with Mint. Some chips and queso rounded out our order. We grabbed a seat and awaited the delivery of our dinner. We had chosen to test out the Lamb Gyro and a Korean Beef Bulgogi as our main course. The unusual flavor combinations work well in street taco form and soon we found ourselves staring at empty trays. The cut watermelon made an excellent accent to cleanse the palate. This stop had been the perfect choice to sustain us on our road back to Gatlinburg. Our scouting trip had showed us that Asheville is certainly ripe for a visit, but for now it has to be put on a back burner.

Heading Back to Base Camp

As we made our way back to the Blue Ridge Parkway, we had plenty to talk about. The afternoon brought the return of rain showers, but we found that our timing on this trip was quite good. Our stop in Asheville had occurred during a break in the rain, so we were able to truly enjoy our time. The showers were keeping the heat down and didn’t put a damper on our driving time. All in all, it was an enjoyable side trip with some amazing views. How many of you have explored part or all of the Blue Ridge Parkway?

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We want to thank the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Paleo Period

Thousands of years before the European explorers arrived, the Cherokee people were already calling the Appalachian region their home. At the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, we discovered that their earliest records indicate they were hunters and gatherers. The discovery of stone tools shows they hunted the animals that roamed the lands at that time, including the mastodon. Of course, native berries, nuts, and other wild plants would have made up the bulk of their diet. This was also a period when many of the healing properties of native fauna would have been uncovered.

Archaic Period

Around 10,000 years ago, still long before the new world was “discovered”, the tribe’s prowess with tools was developing. By now they were cultivating their own crops, instead of just foraging the forests and fields. Their ability to hone finer tools and create nets allowed them to include fishing in their daily activities. The Cherokee had established trade with other native tribes, which created commerce for the region. Shells, beads, copper, and pipestone were some of the more common trade items to come from the Appalachian region.

Woodland Life

By the time of Christ, the Cherokee Indians had grown into a woodland civilization. Their discovery of the bow and arrow made hunting more prosperous. The people were creating textiles and firing pottery made using a coil process. This allowed for more efficient cooking and storage of foods. The tales of their people were handed down orally, instead of being recorded in writings. These stories told the history of the lands and the place of the Cherokee in its hierarchy. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has an amazing amount of historical stories recorded for visitors to see. It’s a good thing we had blocked off half of a day for our visit.

Museum of the Cherokee exhibits

While there are tons of static displays at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, there are plenty of other visual exhibits. Periodically, we would encounter a video presentation, like the one above. This help brings the stories of the Cherokee people to life. The displays were teaching us so much about these fascinating people. Crystal was especially engrossed in the stories, as she has lineage to the Cherokee. I was seeing just how much they incorporated nature to assist in their everyday lives. With the addition of corn to their fields, they invited Purple Martins to nest nearby. These birds would feed on insects harmful to their crops while keeping away the crows and blackbirds.

European Influences

The earliest knowledge of European contact with the Cherokee people was around 1540. This was when Hernando Desoto passed through the Appalachian region on his exploration of the “new world”. What he and his men discovered was a civilization that was operating as efficiently as any to be found. The woven fabrics of the Cherokee were as fine as European thread. The use of bow and arrow allowed the Cherokee to fire multiple times, while the Europeans were still loading their guns. The contact was not without severe consequences. During the next 150 years, more than 90% of the Cherokee Indians would die from diseases brought from Europe.

Crossing the Pond

As we wound our way through the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, we came to a series of displays focused on Henry Timberlake’s visit. In 1762, this British emissary and cartographer came to the Appalachian region. Timberlake was born in Virginia and served in the French and Indian Wars. During these aggressions, the Cherokee Indians became angry that some of their chiefs were imprisoned by colonists. They reacted by attacking Fort Loudon in eastern Tennessee. We learned more about this attack at the East Tennessee History Museum in Knoxville. (You can read more about the Knoxville museum here.) By late 1761, the Cherokee were ready to make peace again, and Timberlake accompanied a party to their villages in the Appalachian region.

Into a New World

Timberlake spent the winter with the Cherokee people. He learned of their rituals and customs. They performed their ceremonial dances and shared their food with the party. By the end of his visit, the Cherokee were anxious to meet the King of England. Timberlake made arrangements and in May 1762, he and three Cherokee leaders departed for England. They arrived in early June and were the center of attention until they departed in late summer. In the summer of 1764, Cherokee Indians requested a meeting with the King regarding the encroachment of the white man on the lands reserved for the native tribes.

Shifting Opinions

After arriving in England in the fall of 1764, they were refused an audience. They returned to their homelands with a different view of their British relationship. It is a common belief that the original proclamation was made only as a short term solution to prevent an uprising from the Indian tribes. As the number of immigrants increased, there was an expected point that their numbers would tip the balance in the favor of the white man. With the continued encroachment of the colonists, it seemed in the best interest of the Cherokee to side with the British during the Revolutionary War. The ever-increasing number of colonists outnumbered the Cherokee, who fought a guerilla war. Peace would be fleeting, and with time the tribe’s land would continue to shrink.

Changing Atmosphere

Most of us have heard of the Trail of Tears. This forced removal of native tribes was instituted by government authorities. By 1830, the Five Civilized Tribes were living as one collective nation. With the end of the War of 1812, the lands west of the colonies were ripe for settling. Even as the settlers pressured the government to remove the Indians, they had already begun encroaching on the lands.

Trail of Tears

In 1831, the Choctaw were the first to be removed. Seeing the impending danger to themselves, the Cherokee collected 15,000 signatures against their removal. After taking their case to the Supreme Court, they have ruled a sovereign nation with protection from the forced removal. President Andrew Jackson supported removal at least a decade prior to his presidency. He ignored the court ruling and moved forward with the forced removals. In 1828 gold was discovered and caused a gold rush in Georgia. The Cherokee, who was the last remaining tribe in the region, were removed in 1838. Thousands of native Indians would perish along with the forced marches. (You can read about one of the stops along the Trail here.)

Plan Your Own Visit

Although the Five Civilized Tribes were moved west, they did not lose their culture and traditions. During a visit to the Gilcrease Museum, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we saw a large number of artifacts created by tribespeople. A visit to this museum is a good compliment to the knowledge you gain at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. (You can read about the Gilcrease here.) Our visit to Cherokee, North Carolina didn’t end after we completed our tour of the museum. We found a nice lunch stop nearby, as well as a large selection of shops. A day in Cherokee is a good addition to a vacation in the Smoky Mountain region. It helped remind us of the importance of tolerance and tradition. How many of you would add this stop to your vacation itinerary?

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