Have you ever visited Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park? It is a beautiful valley in the mountains that a community of people used to live in, farm, and raise cattle. There are old cabins and churches for you to go through, and the views are spectacular. Since Townsend is a gateway to the Smokies, you only have to travel a short distance to get there from Tuckaleechee Retreat Center. If you visit early in the day or late in the afternoon, you have a very good chance of seeing deer, turkey, and sometimes bear. There are other animals in the park, such as fox, owl, and coyoty, that are seen less frequently, but you just might get a glimpse of them. Recently, the road around the Cove was paved, and it is lovely. There are paved pull-overs for you to use when you want to stop and gaze at the scenery or the animals, and best of all, no more potholes!