Our road trip took us to nearby Tennessee to Gatlinburg, Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains. Gatinlburg was a bit hokey, but there was lots to do; ride the tram, alpine slides, eat out, ride the trolley bus and ski lift. Our favorite place for sure was the Smoky National Park. It was beautiful and reminded us of home, I can only imagine what the scenery will be like in Autumn!
We learned that the smokey effect is from the lush vegetation giving off moisture and other organic matter.
Mark took this picture:
Three years ago this same weekend we took a two week road trip to the Canadian Rockies and camped with Grant. It was a great trip! Those of you who know me well or have read my 100 list know that I am deathly afraid of bears starting on that trip I researched and read about bears, had nightmares, bought bear spray and bear bells and were sure every night we camped or wherever we hiked we would encounter a bear! No such luck, thank goodness! I did find myself at least wanting to SEE one, as we saw so much other wildlife. Well, within an hour of our trip to the Smokies, guess what we saw! A black bear, up in a tree! Unfortunately I left my telephoto lens at the hotel, so this poor picture will have to do as proof!
Dollywood
Our festivities started Friday at Dollywood. Yup-you that's right, Dolly Parton's theme park! It met my expectations of what it would be like, we spent the day, Grant had fun on some rides.
I cannot tell you how much this boy loves vintage cars.
Grant and Mark are up there somewhere!
The most exciting thing about this day was I noticed Gracie has a tooth!!! She's got one poking through on the bottom, we've been waiting with all this drooling!
These little lips...
These Two...
Cades Cove
Probably my favorite part of the trip was driving Cades Cove. It is an old farming loop that is open to cars as a one way drive. It was pretty busy, but way worth it! We saw a working water wheel and grinder in action, Grant loved that as well as sitting on the old tractor.
Does anyone want to hike to Maine?
Some of the trails were completely surrounded by very large rhododendron bushes, if they would of been in bloom, what a sight that would be!
One tired little Ranger!
11 comments:
Holy crapola, Kim! I can't believe you saw a bear!!! Your trip looks like it was so fun. How wonderful to be able to explore that part of the country. Every picture was special.
Amy
Kim, I can't get over how incredibly talented you are. Sorry for saying that all the time, but your pictures are just beautiful.
Kim, I feel like I got to experience your trip in small part. Makes me want to go for a long drive this fall. Thanks for all the interesting details . . . I'd love to hear more in person, too! Glad you're back!
Seriously...your pictures are TO DIE FOR!!!! Interested in coming with us on our next vacay?
You so inspire me to take better pictures. (Shawn got me a polarized filter and a VR 55-200mm lense for my birthday to go with the early Annibirthmas gift... I am having so much fun!) Seriously, I love the pictures of Grant. What a handsome little fella!!
Beautiful! Nate and I went up to Gatlinburg for a three-day weekend one winter, you make me want to go back when in the summer/fall. Glad you guys had a fun time!
Gorgeous pictures but where is the one of you and Dolly?
I never get sick of looking at your pictures. Loved the stories! A Bear? I'm with you on the whole bear issue, can't believe you saw one, in a tree no less!
There are so many nice pictures, I don't have time to comment on each one! Love the last one of Grant- he has such expressive, handsome eyes! I'm always leary of camping around bears- but it hasn't stopped me yet. But I haven't seen one in years. We have had some come into the campground a couple of years ago and get into our garbage that was hanging on a tree- forgot to put that away! Since then I am always careful to lock up everything that could attract them. Still, being in the wilderness is totally worth a small chance of an encounter.
That did sound like an amazing trip. I really really want to go to the smokey mtns and Dollywood. Ryan has an uncle that lives in KY, about an hour or 2 from there and I'd love to go. Maybe in the next 1 1/2 years...
I love the Smokies! And yes, the color in October/November is to die for. My ancestors were a founding family of Cades Cove, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Thanks for sharing the great pics!!
Post a Comment