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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls a great family vacation site

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On a resent trip to the Northeast, we decided to stop at Niagara Falls, a great family vacation site. We had stopped at the Falls a while back but did not get to stay long because of a in coming snow storm. The Falls is a great place to visit and we wish we had had more time to spend there. Seeing the size of Niagara Falls will really surprise you.

Niagara Falls

The picture above is from an island in the river looking at the US side but there is about that much or more behind me.

Looking toward Canada from the island

You can walk to different islands in the river such as the Three Sisters  which offers a good view of the water as it approaches the Falls. We enjoyed seeing the change in the water as it got closer to the edge. 

Niagara Falls a great family vacation site
River before the Falls
Niagara Falls a great family vacation site
Getting closer to the falls.

As I said we wished we had been able to stay longer, because there are so many things to do. In the picture below you can see the boat Maid of the Mist. The boat takes you to the bottom of the Falls where the falling water hits.

Maid of the Mist

Niagara Falls is also beautiful to see at sunset when the sun light passes through the mist making different colors in the air above the falls.

Niagara Falls a great family vacation site
Niagara Falls as the sun sets
Looking toward Canada from the island
You can see the red.

If you go, the United States side is a state park with lots of parking and paths leading to the different areas. There are lots of places to eat just across the street from the park. We ate at a food truck and really enjoyed the food. So if you are in the area remember Niagara Falls a great family vacation site.

 

 

A Walk in the Past, Fort Loudon

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For years I have wanted to take a walk in the past at Fort Loudon. I have an interest in the French and Indian War and how it brought about the country we have today.  Having  wanted to visit the Fort for several years, I decided to drive a little over an hour from Gatlinburg to see it.  The fort is a great place to learn about our history.  Many people think that all the English lived on the East Coast until Daniel Boone opened up the land across the mountains.

In 1756 The English and Cherokee built the Old Fort further West than Boonesborough.  Boone built Fort Boonesborough twenty years latter in 1775. Fort Loudon’s main purpose was to help defend the Cherokee from attacks by the French and their Native American allies.

Fort Loudon

Even though you may not be a student of history, you would enjoy the beauty of the land around the Fort.

Lake at Fort Loudon

The Cherokee destroyed the old fort around 1760. It was rebuilt using the notes of  John William G. De Brahm, the original designer of the Fort. The first reconstruction started in 1935. Later the Tennessee Valley Association built a dam forming the Tellico Lake.  After securing the land the TVA  agreed to move the reconstructed fort to its current location.

 

Fort Loudon was much larger than I expected.

 

Outside the walls of Fort Loudon are examples of Cherokee homes.

The Cherokee built two types of houses, one with solid walls is an example of a winter home, whereas the open walled house was for summer use.  Lake Tellico now covers the original sites but the stories and History carries on.

Above is a photo of the original locations of Fort Loudon and the Cherokee village.  

Fort Loudon is a beautiful place to visit.  We took a picnic lunch to enjoy while we sat and looked at the lake and mountains.