Last week Kat and I were hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We found this very unusual cabin window (see photo). I can hear the echoes of an ancient discussion,

"That storm last night blowed off part of the roof and the winder shutter is plum gone. We better git' er fixed becuz this blow ain't over. Look at them birds gathered up. We need to button down that winder There's some scrap wood behind the smokehouse. Them hinges are done gone too and I ain't got no idea on that."

Look at the photo and see what they found to use as shutter hinges. Pretty cool.

Following is a clue to the location of this fantastic cabin.

This cabin, of course, is inside the national park. It is located below a high ridge and is about a mile from an old log schoolhouse that is still standing. The area is named after a bush. It is said that if you stand inside that schoolhouse and scratch the board with your fingernail you can quickly turn around a see a ghost. I went inside and tried it. I didn't see a ghost, but standing inside that old school built with huge chestnut logs I could feel the spirit of community and could almost hear the pioneer children stomping up the steps to come inside.

The cabin still has scraps of old newspapers on the wall that served as wallpaper. When we were there last week we found a large patch of "ramps", a very strong wild onion, and I ate some with my crackers and cheese. Wild ramps with cheese and crackers is pioneer gourmet! The ramps were planted long ago along the old rock wall by the cabin. Never cook ramps inside your house because it will take weeks for the smell to disappear.

If anyone can identify this cabin I will post another photo of some old farm implements hanging on the back of the cabin's smokehouse.

John LaFevre, co-author, Scavenger Hike Adventures, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, FalconGuides