I love walking through the woods just to smell the air, trees and leaves. As you showed us, you never know what could have been left behind. Thank you for sharing your adventurers with us! Take care!

The sound of your voice and that lovely accent gives me warm memories of family long gone ... thank you for the videos... this one struck a chord when I think about all the old places that have disappeared without much of a trace left behind...

Thank you sir for taking us alone with you. Such a beautiful area. It’s always kinda sad to see a forgotten cemetery, and the skeletal remains of homes that once were. It makes you wonder about the lives of those that once lived there.

Thank you, Donnie for your recordings and history. You are leaving a beautiful History for all our future Generations. Never stop. ❤️

Dad would take us youg'uns into the woods for a day hike. He'd point out chimney stones and apple trees as markers of old cabin sites. It was easy to imagine ghosts walking the edges of the dark woods looking for their old home places that they couldn't find. No rest for those weary souls. Thanks, Donnie, for another good adventure down a dirt road in East Tennessee looking for the history of our hills.

Makes a person wish rocks could talk, don't it Mr. Donnie? Thank you for sharing, and God bless ❤️🙏❤️

I agree with you Donny, I don't care for logging either. It ruins the land for us and especially the animals! I love your Apalancia stories ❤️.

I love to imagine what those old homes may have looked like. You know they were filled with love and laughter. Thank you for sharing this with us, Donnie, I thoroughly enjoyed it.❤️

Thank you Mr. Donnie! I really enjoyed learning and exploring more of East Tennessee’s history and heritage. Thanks again for keeping the history of this country alive. God Bless You 😇👍🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻

I live in Union County Georgia! I LOVE seeing the old buildings! Thank you so much for this important work! You are helping to preserve a history of an entire way of life!

Thanks Donnie. When I see old homesites that have deteriated, I wonder about the people who lived there, the dreams they had for their home and land and what happened.

Donnie, your videos are mini vacations from this worrisome world of today. Thank you for all you do. You bring us happiness.

Mr. Laws - the sites you find and show to us are amazing to me. I used to walk through old gravesites, but I've not discovered anything like you show on the videos you present. I am especially taken with the old foundations of cabins, homes, and chimneys you show. It is so profound, the history and lost history you present. Thank-you once more.

I have come across some out-of-the way cemetaries while exploring some long-forgotten 2-track paths that haven't seen any traffic for years and years. While exploring the headstones, I can almost hear the sighs of the past and the whispers of the stories that have yet to be told. Thank you for sharing these videos with us - and for telling the stories that are slowly but surely heading into the night. You give the voice to the past that is so very important not only for the historical aspect, but in the spiritual world as well. Please don't ever let their history fade away - for in the past we can see the way of the future. 💖💖💖

I am absolutely loving all your videos, so glad I stumbled upon them the other day. You seem to have a natural storytelling ability that lends itself perfectly with the subject and just brings it to life. Growing up in eastern Ontario Canada as a child, I happened upon a book about the Appalachian Mountains and was instantly fascinated by everything about the mountains way of life. I’d already had a huge interest in the “old pioneer days” from countless re-readings of the Little House on the Prairie books and also learning about pioneer life in Upper Canada in school, but those Appalachian stories really had my heart. I found myself at the library looking up more books about the Appalachian Mountains and people. Not sure about the whole reincarnation theory but maybe there’s something to it, it just feels like home in some inexplicable way . ☺ I live in Ohio now, and I’ve been able to do many a road trip with my husband to the mountains in Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. The people we stop and talk to in our travels have always been so friendly and welcoming, always leaving us with great memories. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences in these videos! 💛

Great share Donnie! The photo of you hugging that old oak tree is one of my favorites! That house was big according to its foundation. That stone wall took some time to build!! Appreciate your history lessons. 👍👏

Thank God truly for men like Donnie who are sharing history that modern life today tries every day to get rid of. Our history needs to be preserved not swept away so future generations will never see learn or know.

Enjoyed your video, thank you! This is my kinfolk's neck of the woods. My Riddle ancestor fought in the battle of Kings Mountain and my Halls were some of the first settlers of Morgan County. Some were Revolutionary War veterans, and received their 640 acres of land. Some fought in the Cherokee War. That one I'm not so proud of because from my own Riddle ancestor's words, they walked across the Indians bodies without touching the ground. I was blessed to visit some of their places in the late 90's and would love to return someday.

Fantastic history lesson, I can't get enough of the history of the southern mountains. There's so much that we have forgotten. The generations will never know the pride of being a true southerner,and walking through the woods,and just being here

Hey Donnie, love your videos. I would love to Metal detect around some of them spots. Thanks for sharing.

I love exploring those old home sites and especially the old grave yards.

Nature always reclaims what is taken from it. I love these videos as I would not be able to see these places otherwise. Please keep doing them.

I love all the pictures of the past ,and I often find myself imagining the people who lived in those old homesteads. Thank you, Donnie, for a walk into the past. God 🙏 🙏 🙏 bless.

I love finding these foundations of old homes or wells, sheds, spring houses and such and trying to figure how the people used to live. I know there must be a lot of wildlife in that area between the two rivers. Thanks for bringing us along with you today. Your friend in SC, Jane❤🙏🏻

Thank you Mr Donnie for a great video. I like to think about how hard it must have been to do all that work but also how peaceful it was to have your family work that beautiful land until you created something beautiful your home. Hard times but good times❤️

We would never get to see these old places without your endeavours. I like to imagine the old folks saying goodbye to their home countries to make a new start in new lands. It kinda brings a tear to my eyes. Loved this one. Maybe the larger home was built after a smaller homestead was built to accommodate a growing family. It is so romantic.❤❤❤

How very beautiful. Thank you for showing these gorgeous places. Bittersweet to think of the people once living in the houses and doing business around there....then passing. A reminder we're all just passing through. So its important to take the time for meaningful things like you're showing us. And to care. God Bless you and uours Mr. Donnie 🩵👏👏👏👏

Thank you Mr Donnie for another look into history. Watching your videos always brings me back; when you talked of those logging trucks, I could just picture coming across Swift Run. Getting behind one in a heavy rain, or snow got you prayed up-for certain! I learn so much from watching you too. Thank you so very much and God bless you!

Old home places once full of life. There's an old mining community where I live and you can still see the rose bushes growing. People would give their neighbor or friend a sprout off their roses and they live for many years. The rose's are all that's left except for the scar's on the land. Thank you Mr. Laws for all you do to bring us enjoyment. God bless you all.

@9:42- Wow! My Granny was a Sharp on my Daddy's side!! She was full Cherokee Indian, I heard she was mean but I never seen it, always had a smile for us when we'd visit! She lived in Lindale Georgia and past at 93yrs old, I believe. I miss those days... thanks Donnie for your videos, they bring sweet memories we'll never see again! God's grace is on you, may he fill your heart with joy!!!

I love your voice and the relaxed way you have presenting these stories Donnie. Im happy your viewers have increased, because your stories are of the history there and people need to hear- I love that hopefully people’s stories will be here for years for all generations to watch. Thanks Donnie and Blessings 😊❤

Thank you Donnie I really enjoy history and hearing you tell it.

It was amazing the way these people did all that construction. There's so much land that was taken from families who were pushed out of their homes. It's nice to revisit, Thank you. God bless you and your family!

Thank you Brother Donnie for taking us along. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you for sharing this walk thru nature. These mnts have seen some real hard times & yet it still has its beauty. I’m a country gal so appreciate this . The smells of Mother Nature can be intoxicating. People lived a hard life but family was family. Always there for one another & helping neighbors ❤. 👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

I love to watch all your explores Donnie. I find them to be very interesting and educational. 💜☮️

I just love the Old History that u share with us I could listen all day.....me and my husband just got back from Tennessee on our vacation we always spend several days traveling the back roads and walking through the old Cemetery's for hours

Thanks again for sharing a piece of history with us, magnificent!

The old home sites really are fascinating but they also have a sadness. I would love to know the history behind them once they were somebody's dream now the woods have taken them back. I sure hope you find that marker. Thanks for sharing and God bless you, my friend.

I love learning about life in Appalachia. I used to have a teacher in grade school that used to spend time there. Very interesting place where early US settlers lived. So much to learn. Thanks Donnie for bringing interesting & important Appalachian history to to us all.

One of my ancestors fought in the battle of Kings Mountain. You have to wonder if they knew each other. I love your videos and hope you can continue making them!

Always enjoy what you share, cousin Donnie! Best wishes and prayers for your continued healing, and G-d bless you and yours!

My people came out of north Georgia and into southeast Tennessee. We all still have land there and always love hiking through we follow the creeks and rivers finding rocks and great fishing. Many old home foundations. I will do the hiking as long as I can while I'm living. Many places we can still find with so much family history. Your videos always brings me back, thanks my friend

As do your listeners, we love it as well. God Bless Donnie and your family. When I get my ol truck road worthy for long distance, I still want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you and reminisce. Take care

Thank you Donnie, all the memories and people are gone with only remnants of their existence remaining.

So sad, all this slipping away. The over mountain boys should never be forgotten.

Wow I love this beautiful ❤️ video and I love this history.thank you so much from my heart, for this wonderful video.

If only those walls could talk. Thanx for the trip down memory lane. God bless

Great video Donnie. Can’t beat walking in the woods finding old stuff like that for sure.

Donnie you never disappoint.. thank u for sharing with us the history of the area… a simpler time…very missed.. my husband and I look forward to watching your videos…thank u for your time and efforts.. Barry and Janet Stapleton

Thank you Donnie God bless my brother🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

I love ol Cemeteries. I've a many of them. There's one up across the Creek near Brimstone, on the Low Gap side. I found the Graves up on the side of the hill. I found the Grave of a Woman. Now I can't find it anymore. So I know what you mean. I go back ever so often, I've lost it. I love your videos. I thank you for them. GOD bless

Loved it Donnie, please keep them coming regularly then we'll all stay happy ol' boy. 😁👍🏻❤

Oh how I miss day's like this since my husband has passed away, we mad so many memories doing things like this while he was alive, thank you for sharing your videos they mean alot !! Nothing like the soft fallen rain and the wonderful smells of the forstes, just beauty all around😊❤God Bless Take care and be Careful ☺️

Thank you Mr Donnie the stories are so wonderful good times bad times, and everything in between ,the stories of our ancestors I hope they live on .❤

There’s a old mostly abandoned cemetery in south Cherokee wma here in polk county called Dutch Settlement (one of many across the south) it dates back to the late 1700s/early 1800s. Most of the headstones are still there but some have been reduced to almost nothing. Great video sir 👍🏼

Tell it on the mountain brother! No place better than NE TN! I'd love to sit around a camp fire and listen to you tell stories. Yare natural story teller. Much love! The old ways are gone, sadly.

Good. Metal detecting around old houses like. That..

I've always loved old history

I’m always learning something new with every video. I enjoyed this very much. ❤️👍🏻

You are right about the Lilies being a give away for old home sites. They usually come with a black walnut and pecan tree or two here in southern Illinois

Thanks for posting this excellent video.

Breaks my heart to think of all the forgotten souls that put everything into forgotten homes of old.

Hugging that old oak tree really did put it in perspective, waaaaay bigger than I thought! Thank you for the walk back in time Donnie!! Always an adventure🙏🏾🌻🙏🏾🌻🙏🏾

i love the woods, without logging there wouldn't be any old wood cabins or stores, barns, or any wood for building,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Very pretty scenery as usual

I just love traveling back in Chuck Swan and thinking about My Papaw and where he came from his Mom is buried back in the Pebley cemetery Her name is Sarah Ann Pebley Irwin and she was killed back in the 1920's and when TVA came in buying things up my Papaw's Dad sold out and moved to Knox County and My Dad's family was originally from Sharp's Chapel and they moved in to Speedwell and everywhere else I just love this stuff that you do before we lose all the precious history

Thank you, Donnie! I love seeing the old home sites and thinking about the lives that were here. The good times, hard times, happy times, and sad times. I always think about the life of an item whenever I come across an antique.

Wow. Amazing finds. If those trees and stones could talk. Love historical sites. Thank you for taking us on this walk.

Rewatching for you Donnie. Get well soon my friend.

Howdy Donnie- I sure do love that old stuff and stomping through the woods in the spring time just before the leaves get very big and the ticks and chiggers aren’t out. Thank you for sharing your time in the woods. God bless

Love your show. We have an old spring just like the one you showed. I live in an old mining town. My house was a train depot back in the day. When I remodeled the kitchen I found the ticket window and the soot from the pot belly stove is still on the wall in the corner next to the chimney. Best I can find, my house is over 100 years old. This small town had 3 different railroads. Owned by 3 different companies. Cambria county Pa.

God bless, Donnie! 🙏🏻

Forever and ever 🌎 on earth 🌎 ❤️ 💕 AMEN 🙏 🙌 ❤️ ✨️

Some of my ancestors are buried up there in East Tennessee. The graveyard looks much like the one you showed us. I had hoped to do a stone tracing of the one that fought in the Civil War, so I got permission from the local authorities. The lady said just be sure to use critical judgment as some of the stones were fragile. His looked too fragile so I didn't do his. I did get some of those that came after him, as their's was in good enough shape. You would never have known it was there in those hills. And what struck me then and still stands out today is the amazing serenity. And the bed of the woods was 6 (?) inches deep with leaves, untouched for many years. I felt like I was intruding on sacred ground. Thank you 🙏❤️‍🩹

My grandma lived in a house much like those you had pictures of......lots of memories....!

I am so glad to find one of your videos again! I just love the way you talk about these old sites!

Enjoyed this video when was younger enjoyed getting out in the woods and walking looking at old things

A blessed Sunday to you Donnie! Love these videos and Sundays seem to be a day to enjoy them for me! Away from the crazy world we live in! 💕🙏💕🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

Donnie, this video made me go back in my mind where my daddy told the story of a man and his family got forced out of their home by the USFS in the early 50's cause they were building a road way beyond Wildcat Creek rd where the man lived way up in the mountain where no one lived anywhere near him. Daddy said he hardly saw them but a few times a year when they'd come to town to get what they didn't make or grow. I can't remember their names but I'll always remember daddy saying the last thing that man said to the gov't was he wouldn't last long if he had to move. Sure enough, he died within a year. He may have died anyway but I think being forced out like that had a lot to do with it.

Hi Donnie, Thanks for another great and relaxing video you are doing a great job we really appreciate you, God bless you 🙏👍🇺🇸

Thanks for researching and videoing old History like this. Very interesting and see the work that these settlers did building homes and surviving. Maybe bring along the Metal Detector around some of these old homesites. Thanks Again

Living in eastern Pennsylvania were it not quite as warm as where you are its so nice to see the Spring life start to come back. Thank you Sir!

Love these videos.

Absolutely, enjoyed

Thanks for sharing Donnie!

Another classic , thanks..

Oh my goodness, I love videos like this! Feels like I’m exploring beside you 😄 please do these again in the future! 💖

Reading the Foxfire series gives me added perspective. That and the Century magazine covering the Civil War years.

That is some beautiful country and remnants there Donnie...that was a good eye spotting that old cistern off in that stump field. Thanks again for taking us along through video Brother.

Thanks for Sharing, Donnie!

Thanking you... Beautiful country. From Australia

So much forgotten history

Thank you, thank you for preserving our history.

Thank you Mr. Donnie.. I loved it !!

Would it be nice to metal detect those old home sites and dig up the history thanks for sharing I didn't know they charge the battery s back in the day.❤️👍🙏🗝️🇺🇸

Thanks again Donnie for another great video 👍🙏

Thank you for another great show!

Times change, people move. Amazing to see how nature can easily erase our past given only a few decades. Thanks for sharing Donnie.

Thanks for taking us along.