Drove up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joined a queue of cars along about a twelve mile loop inching our way forward in the hope of catching a glimpse of a black bear, of which there are estimated to be anywhere between 1300 to 1600 in the park. Stopped off at Cade's Cove, a recreation/reproduction/rejuvenation of an 1860's (or thereabouts) settlement. Would have thought we'd have seen at least a couple of bears, but only when we were about 100 metres from the loop exit (and on the way out of the park) were we able to join a secluded throng of about a hundred people viewing a bear which had climbed about 20 metres up into the fork of a tree where it seemed to be in the process of nesting. Either that, or as Alex sagely suggested, the park rangers had a mechanical bear in situ for just such occasions when real bears are thin on the ground (or indeed in the trees) and one is needed in a hurry for the eager tourists - it was remarkably life-like.
Had dinner on the way back at Sweet P's BBQ restaurant. As Pam and Alex had 'warned' us, a very rustic setting, and which may have been taking a rather liberal interpretation of the word 'restaurant', although with greater justification than McDonalds - but no matter, the food was excellent - BBQ smoked ribs and chicken. The ribs especially were so succulent and just fell off the bone - not chitlins, but a worthy contender for best local fare I suspect.
Getting late. Big drive tomorrow......on the wrong side of the road. Better get some sleep. Might add more later.
Or not.
Or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment