Smokey Mountains National Park, TN

It is just breathtaking . . . God's country for sure. Getting ready to paddle Chilhowee Lake (thought to mean "king fisher" in the Cherokee language). The area is rich with Native American history and beauty. The Cherokee lived here for, some say, thousands of years before they were moved to Oklahoma on the "Trail of Tears" where many perished because of the mistreatment and harsh conditions. Loggers and industrialists just about ruined this great natural resource. I can't help but think that if we had left the original inhabitants alone, the Smokeys would probably look just as they did thousands of years ago. Thankfully, you can still behold the beauty that they must have enjoyed and cherished.