One of the joys of driving the 11-mile loop through Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is stopping to watch the old mill wheel spin. Looking down the wooden sluice gives depth to the years-old process of funneling water down to the wheel.

As the outside wooden wheel turns, a heavy stone mill wheel inside grinds yellow corn into meal.  Or at least that’s how it used to be.

Deep thinking just occurs, I guess, when you stand and reflect on the way it was: Nature and man working hand-in-hand for another fine day of mountain living.

For more entries in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Depth, click here.