MaynaAventCabin

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a great place go hiking.  For those of you who have been to “the Smokys”, you know that there are many, many trails to hike.  They range from easy to strenuous.  I hiked on a trail just outside of the Elkmont area, which is a current camp grounds and former housing area for the elite who came to visit prior to the Park’s creation.  There are a couple trails that originate there, and one of them takes you to Mayna Avent’s cabin.  She was a renowned painter in her day, and purchased this 1800’s cabin to use as a studio.  After her death, her daughter requested it be put on the National Register of Historic Homes.  It is now owned and maintained by the National Park Service.  Several of my artist friends and I hiked up to the cabin (a short hike of about 1.5 miles).  While they painted and photographed, I just hung out, took a few amateur pictures, and enjoyed the cabin.  It was a lovely day for a hike.  It is always a joy to be out in the woods, especially with friends.