Laurel Falls, The Sinks, & Cades Cove

Laurel Falls was pretty cool too. They were pretty easy to get to, so we didn't like it as much as some other hikes that were more remote and had less foot traffic.

While we were driving there, we crossed this bridge and had to pull over. Some locals were cliff jumping, which was highly entertaining, and the swirling deep water was reminiscent of a sink...hence the name, the sinks.

We ate lunch by a babbling/bubbling brook...Ryan says they babble, I say they bubble.

Ryan loved washing his face and arms in the river. He stopped to do this as often as possible.

Driving the Cades Cove Loop was one of the most beautiful places we saw. It was this valley that had the remnants of an old farming community from the 1800's. There were wide-open fields, old farm houses, and this tree that had been gnawed on by a HUGE beaver.