Page 94 - USA ROAD TRIP SUMMER of 2000

With spectacular views out of the question, we turned our

attentions to the smaller and/or closer attractions of the Park:
plants, trees, and wildlife. This quest was rewarded. We slowed

down and enjoyed nature from the lovely wild flowers, the

strange insects and spiders, the colorful amphibians, a real live
timber rattlesnake close up, the ubiquitous deer, and of course,

the bears.

We came upon a mother and cub munching their way along the
roadside. They were behind one of the short stonewalls built by

the CCC at points of roadway drop-offs. That made it impossible to
approach her for pictures without having her suddenly appear

over the wall with maternal instincts enraged. We opted for

leaving the Park with all our limbs rather than photos.

The rattler was crossing the road. He/she was very bright and may
have just molted. It also had a fat belly so had just eaten. We

followed it up a slope at a safe distance to get a picture. It felt our
presence and coiled tightly facing us, placed its head low to the

ground and rattled a warning. Got a good picture and left it
undisturbed.

We’re in a wonderful rustic hotel midway down the Park, The Big
Meadows Lodge. It was built in 1939 and is constructed all of

American Chestnut lumber. Sadly, the chestnut is now virtually
extinct in the USA due to an imported fungus. This was a

magnificent tree that was a major source of food for many of the
creatures and the people in these parts.

We have a two room “suite” as it was the only accommodation
available. Every inch is of wood paneling. The old floors squeak

like the wood floors in my Grandfather’s old farmhouse. The 6-

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