Elk in Cataloochee

It was a cold, cold day when we started over the mountains week before last, but the sun was bright, a sharp contrast to the three previous days of dark and rain. Our plan was to drive to Cataloochee, a mountain community that is now an elk reserve. Just past the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, we saw sixteen female elk in a meadow right beside the road.

They didn't seem to fear us, but just kept calmly grazing, although there were several of us who had stopped to admire them. Later, we drove through Cherokee and Maggie Valley on winding roads to get to Cataloochee. It took us about an hour from Cherokee, and some of the roads were one lane with two-way traffic, which means if you meet someone, one of you has to back up until there is room to pass. Fortunately, it was a cold day in December and there was very little traffic. I wondered if it would be worth it when we got there.

It was.

It was their space, not ours, so when we saw some elk coming toward us, Hub just stopped the car and we watched. They found our car very interesting, and came right up to us and started licking the side of that nasty car.

We had driven on roads that had been salted that morning, and Hub thinks they were attracted to the salt on the car. He had to nudge the car just a little so they would move on; he was afraid they were going to scratch up the paint with those antlers.

This elk, #17, had the biggest rack of antlers I've ever seen on an animal. I think he may have been the boss.

I don't know how many we saw; they were not all in the same place. This was the first time we had been there, so I don't know if this is average or if we just had a good day.

There are some houses, a church, a school house, and some other buildings in this community, but it is very different from Cades Cove. Definitely worth the trip.

Comments

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Search This Blog