Cherokee

A Teepee in Cullowhee

| Flower Roberts

If you would like to totally immerse yourself in Native American culture, I have the spot for you. There are many places important to the Cherokee located short drives away from here.

While the Cherokee of the area lived in wattle and daub houses with thatched roofs, the nomadic tribes of the west lived in teepees that could be moved as the buffalo roamed.

This teepee in Cullowhee is twenty-four feet in diameter. The interior has furnishing that follow the native American theme. It is set on a lovely hill with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This dwelling is a product of Nomadics Tipi Makers which furnished the teepees in the movie Dances with Wolves. The teepees of medicine men were decorated to designate their location. This one is beautifully marked with life-sized, wildlife portrayals.

If your entire party does not care to use the charming, nearby outdoor, enclosed shower and outhouse; you can also rent a large, gorgeous cabin on the property.

(My entire family stayed in the cabin last weekend.)

The Judaculla Rock is a quick drive from the cabin and teepee. https://floweralley.org/2022/12/20/judacalla-rock/

The Cherokee Museum is a short trip away. Both of these sites are worth long contemplative visits.

https://wordpress.com/post/floweralley.org/20703 Link to my past post on the Cherokee Museum.

Both the cabin and teepee are listed on Airbnb and Vrbo.

Teepee on Airbnb is listed by the name ‘Tipi Tranquility- Glamping at its Best’ on Vrbo it is # 2980026.

The cabin is on Airbnb as Mountain Cabin Getaway or VRBO # 9094237ha.

Mark, the owner, was a wonderful host.

Happy Holidays friends.

FLOWER will be back in 2023.

(I have a Floozy Doozy in the works entitled ‘Needle Porn.’ You crafty folks watch for it.)

Judaculla Rock

| Flower Roberts

My family has had a weekend full of fun and amazement. There will be several posts about our adventures at Cullowhee, NC.

My daughter graduated from Western Carolina University on Saturday.

This first post covers an historic site of the Cherokee Indians. These native Americans have my admiration. This carved soapstone relic is covered in petroglyphs dating back 300 to 1,500 years.

Judaculla Rock Cullowhee, NC

Soapstone was quarried by native Americans to make stone bowls. This form of stone is carvable. Over 1,500 petroglyphs have been mapped on the rock’s surface.

It is fortunate that the family of Milas Parker has guarded the rock from damage since discovering it in the 1930’s. The family has donated one acre to the Judaculla site and more of the surrounding land for conservation. We all should be grateful that this family has protected this national treasure from damage.

Judaculla is the name of the giant guarding the Balsam Mountains. The foot prints of Judaculla are on the lower right of the huge stone. Legend says Judaculla swooped down to defend the land around Caney Fork from disrespectful hunters and landed on the rock, forming the prints.

It is easy to travel back in time while silently admiring this treasure. I can envision Cherokee people thoughtfully and carefully leaving a message for others to find in the huge soapstone boulder. I am grateful for their vision.

I intend to do more research about Judaculla later.

Stay tuned for my next post ‘A Teepee in Cullowhee.’

FLOWER