Ephraim and Minerva Bales subsisted on 70 rock-infested acres along the Roaring Fork in the early 1900s. Walking around this homestead, it’s hard to escape the sense of overwhelming difficulty that surely characterized the life here. Compared to some of the home places in Cades Cove, or Cataloochee Valley, or even right down the road at the Reagan Place, this looks like a tough choice. The only thing in abundance is rocks … and natural beauty.
Ephraim was the brother of Jim Bales, who also lived along the Roaring Fork. Ephraim and “Nervie” raised 9 children in the little “dog-trot” cabin pictured above.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountain Photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN.
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