New Flume for Reagan's Mill © William Britten use with permission only

In addition to a newly paved loop road for the Roaring Fork in 2010, the Reagan Mill got a brand new flume to carry the water to where the mill once was.  So, although it is pretty and adds to the charm along the Roaring Fork, it is really just a “flume to nowhere” because it only carries the water along for a while before dumping it back in the creek.

What then is the purpose of this seemingly pointless flume? Well, here at breakfast on this beautiful Friday morning I asked Sarah that question. Her reply was that the flume serves as a reminder for the simple, sustainable, harmless technologies that can provide energy for at least this small corner of the world.

New Flume for Reagan's Mill © William Britten use with permission only

As always, when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, please consider visiting me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountain Photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN.