The sun shining through fall leaves casts a red and gold light over everything around you. A cool breeze gently brushes your face. The trail you are hiking was used two hundred years ago by Cherokee Indians, and today it's easy to imagine you're one of them. Rounding a bend, you stop. Fifteen feet beyond, a doe is grazing. She hears you, stares for a moment, then bolts . . . The park ranges over 5,909 acres of ridge tops and meadows. The park's resort lodge, restaurant and convention complex is located on Little Mountain, providing a magnificent view of the reservoir. The Lake is wonderful for fishing as well as swimming and other water sports activities. Recently, it has become the winter home of our national symbol, the Bald Eagle.

• Go for a hike and keep an eye out for bald eagle.