Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Cades Cove in the Smokies


Last weekend when George and I were in the North Carolina mountains, son Jeff and his son (my sweet grandson) went camping at Cades Cove in the Smokies. When they got home, Jeff sent us about 50 photos from their weekend. Jeff is a fabulous photographer ---and they saw ALOT of wildlife while there..

SO---I want to show off some of Jeff's pictures today. The picture above is of gorgeous Cades Cove. IF you ever get to the Smokies, PLEASE add a trip to Cades Cove in your schedule. It is absolutely a fabulous place to be out in nature. Below are more pictures!










This is their campsite.







A gorgeous sunset







A roaring campfire---and guess what else????? SMORES! Yum!







The horses love a pat or two!!!!







This little Baptist Church is in Cades Cove... The deer must have been wanting to go to church!!!! ha







One of the neat hiking trails in the area







One of many little cabins in the Smokies







Jeff got many great photos of the deer. There are always many deer in the cove.







Of course, the Cove is full of beautiful birds also. (I'm sure Jeff took this picture just for his mother!!! ha)







The day wouldn't be complete without seeing a gorgeous butterfly, would it?????









OOPS-----I don't think I want to see one of these... Yipes!!!!







Black bears are all over the Smokies... People love seeing them when they are in Cades Cove. Jeff said that they saw several while they were there.









This is one of my favorite photos. I love seeing the deer munching on some clover!!!


I'm so glad that they had a great weekend. They also picnicked at the Chimneys and drove up to the top of the mountain at Clingman's Dome that weekend. Oh---the Smokies!!!! I love 'em!!!! If you haven't visited here, put it on your 'list' and come sometime!!!!


Hugs,

38 comments:

RA said...

That looks like a wonderful place to go on vacation. I am glad that Jeff shared his stunning shots with you! As much as I love nature, snakes are just too much for me. Hiii... Have a wonderful day, Betsy. Hugs and love from Indonesia :)

Jayne said...

The last time we went up to Clingman's Dome, they were having an infestation of red mites (unbeknownst to us) in the trees and when we left, we spent hours on the way home killing tiny mites all over us. Ick.

It really is a beautiful place though.

Carol Murdock said...

Betsy....I have been going to Cades Cove every year in the Spring and Fall for the past thirty years.I have many friends in Townsend where I always stayed.

Eric and I got married in Townsend at Galesong Cabin.

As you know this Spring I went to Flat Rock instead. The fall trip I have planned is near Hot Springs, NC.I have a half finished novel written that is set in 1930s Cades Cove.

Unknown said...

What a great time for Dad and Son. The photos are great, except one!!!! Isn't this where Leedra takes a lot of photos?

Anonymous said...

We've been once and I remember the deer at the little church! I know this was a great trip for your son and grandson. Great pictures of a really beautiful place. Have a great day Betsy.

Unknown said...

Haven't been to the Smokies in about 20 years,but it is a beautiful area of this country.
Great pictures!

Becky said...

That is one of the places we go often. My kids love Pigeon Forge but I love Cades Cove.
Loved the pics.

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hey Betsy,

Love the pictures. With Thomas coming in a out with his job it'll take us a bit to make it up to Cade's Cove. Everyone says the wildlife is so plentiful for viewing. :0) I've got some deep tracks made by *something* in my side yard which of course hugs up to the woods. I'm thinking either very large deer or wild hog.

The mountain laurel is new to me. It's really pretty. Thomas is going to clear out a part of the slope so we can establish a wildlife habitat for the larger animals. Since we are looking down on everything it's really neat because the wildlife doesn't normally look up so we can watch from the porch and not disturb anything. :0)

I want a few trees that are being cut down laid down to decay to get the Pileated Woodpeckers in closer. They are flying by each day so we need to get some tasty bugs and ants going for them so I can get some pictures..LOL

Hope you have a lovely day,
Stephanie

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I am always in awe of the beauty in that region of the mountains.
Cades Cove is one of my favorite places, I am convinced one day I shall retire there :)
Townsend, and the outskirts of the Smokies are also extremely beautiful.
Your family looked like they were having such a great time, back to nature....literally !
I could do without thevisit form the snake, the bear, I could put up with !
Great pictures, thanks for sharing...

Beth said...

What wonderful photographs, Betsy! Looks like a really fun camping trip. Jeff got some fantastic wildlife shots--that is a very impressive snake. It's funny, although I live not too far away from Cades Cove, I've never been there. Jeff's shots make me want to go now.

NCmountainwoman said...

Cades Cove is indeed a wonderful spot. We go to SMNP only during off season now...it's gotten way too crowded for our liking.

Harriet said...

Cades Cove is a beautiful place there are so Many gorgeous places to see in Tennessee. We are so lucky to live in such a wonderful state!

Rose said...

I am glad your son sent you these to share....I think I have pictures of that cabin somewhere!

Adrienne Zwart said...

I visited the Smokies many moons ago with my parents. I don't remember where we stayed, but this looks like a place I'd want to take my family! My favorite photos are the sunset (GOR-geous!) and the little white church. Thanks for introducing us to Cades Cove, Betsy!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Those are wonderful pictures Betsy.
I love the deer and birds...the bear makes me nervous and the snake looks like one of MINE!!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thanks for sharing Jeff's photos,each one is fabulous.I do think that little cabin could right from the T.V. show Beverly Hillbillies.:)
Blessings,Ruth

Diane said...

Betsy, He got some great wildlife pictures. It looks like he ran into a little bit of everything. I'm glad they had fun.

Small City Scenes said...

I'm on my way--save a spot for me. The Smokies are truly a beautiful place. What a country we live in. I am glad son and grandson had a great time and remembered Mom with lots of photos. MB

Dirt Princess said...

It is such a GORGEOUS place. I would love to go back and camp. There is wildlife all over the place

Femin Susan said...

wow!!
all looks so fabulous....
very lush and green place..
cheers!!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Tell your so how much I enjoyed his photos...I haven't been there in so many years I'd forgotten how beautiful it is...The log cabin picture steals my heart...its perfect...

Jen said...

Wow Jeff got some great shots. It's been to long since I have been there. It is full of life.

Becca's Dirt said...

Hey Betsy - Cades Cove and Smokies are on my bucket list. Great photos. I hate the snakes too. That looks like a black snake - they are good ones if there can be a good one.

Mandy said...

Oh wow, great pics! Love the little cabin.

Mandy

Diane AZ said...

Beautiful pictures. I love the pathway through the woods, the deer, the bear, and even the snake! What a wonderful place for father and son to spend time together. Thanks for sharing!

Joy said...

Wow those are some upclose shots of some critters.
That little log cabin is so intriguing. Can you imagine living in it. Love the deer and the church photo.

Joy

Betty said...

Beatuiful pictures. I love the little cabin I think I will move in.All of the critters are nice to see also.

EG CameraGirl said...

What a beautiful spot to spend many happy hours...all except for the bear. ;-) I heard on the news that a black bear was roaming a town south of here this morning. I wonder if food is scarce or if he/she is simply adventurous. Hmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful series of photos, every time I visit your blog I think I need to go somewhere!

Carol said...

They did a great job with the pictures. I love that cabin...I could live there.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com

Janie said...

He is a great photographer. I love the sunset and the campfire, not to mention the wildlife. Beautiful country there.

marmee said...

betsy,
you are certainly making some memories this summer...are you always this fast-paced? it's summer you are supposed to slow down...but really glad you are having the time of your life doing what you love doing.
thanks for sharing the cades cove photos from your son...so many good ones. love the little lonely cabin, the deer at the church.

Connie said...

Great photos,Betsy! I especially love the sunset and all the deer pictures. Looks like a wonderful place to visit. (all except the snake--I could do without him!)

Unknown said...

I'm a huge s'mores fan from way back!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Very neat shots from the mountains, certaunly a fun trip.

Pam said...

What a great trip!
We were unable to visit Cade's Cove on our recent trip to the Smokies, but we are going back sometime later this year, and a trip to Cade's Cove is already on our list.
Thank you for sharing the great photos!
Blessings,
Pam

lola said...

SMOKIES, CADES COVE. BEAUTIFUL, LOVE 'EM. BEEN THERE MANY TIMES. JUST WISH I COULD GO BACK.

Les Barr said...

This is another place that we have visited a few years back while in Gatlinburg for a few day's. I found Cades Cove to be a nice quiet area with lot's of mountains all around you. The little cabin and church I remember seeing while there. The Deer are so friendly. I could approach them and get quite close.

Gatlinburg I think is getting way to commercial. Too much business there. Seems to be turning into a tourist trap. It's always nice to get away from that bussel and enjoy the mountain area.