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...

Monday, October 28, 2013

Visit with Friends in Kentucky

Having Fun at Cove Lake State Park, Tennessee
From October 22-25, 2013,  we visited our good friends,  NEAL and Patti,  at Pine Mountain State Park in Kentucky.  We have met for three Octobers in different places,  just enjoying our time together and also getting Fall photos of the colored leaves.  Three years ago, we met at Maggie Valley, North Carolina (click HERE);  last year, we met at Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio (click HERE); and this year at Pine Mountain State Park.

This year was the first year we have met when the weather didn't want to cooperate. It was cloudy and COLD almost all week... BUT--that didn't stop us from going-going-going, and having a good time!!!!

Today I will share some bits and pieces from our week --but will share much more in more upcoming blogs.  Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.  The photo above is one George took of me having fun on a swing when we stopped to check out Cove Lake State Park in Tennessee --on our way to Kentucky!!!!




View from our room at Pine Mountain State Park
After we got to Pine Mountain,  we had to check out the view behind our room.... Pretty, isn't it????




Log Rock --at Kingdom Come State Park
The next morning,  we traveled to check out another state park that George and I  had never seen before,  Kingdom Come State Park (Kentucky).  Even though it was cold (very windy) and mostly cloudy---we LOVED this state park.  The Autumn colors were terrific.  This photo of George, Patti and Neal was taken at LOG ROCK at Kingdom Come.  This is a long rock which looks like a huge tree which has partially fallen.  It was NEAT!





Neal, Patti, George, Betsy at Kingdom Come State Park
George put up the tripod at Kingdom Come State Park and took a photo of the four of us...  We all have such a good time together... Can you tell????




Look who is talking to the bear!!!!!
We saw this sweet little cute adorable BEAR in the Visitor Center... You know that "I" had to take time to have a little 'chat' with that bear.... ha ha




Neal and Patti at an overlook at Kingdom Come State Park
We saw some beautiful views from Kingdom Come State Park.  Here's a cute photo of our good friends, Neal and Patti, at one of the overlooks.




Fog in the Valley --taken from the lodge restaurant at Pine Mountain State Park
The next morning,  this was our view from the Pine Mountain State Park Lodge Restaurant.   I love seeing fog in the valley below... We got a similar photo to this one when we visited here in June --but this time,  we enjoyed seeing some Fall Colors also.




The "Tree of Many Colors"
We visited the Cumberland Gap and Middlesboro area looking for some sunshine (we did see SOME, but not much), and more Fall Colors.... I took this neat photo of a "Tree of Many Colors".... Pretty, huh????




Overlook at Pine Mountain State Park
Here is a great photo showing some of the Fall colors from an overlook at Pine Mountain State Park.




Betsy, Patti and Neal at Lookout Point at Pine Mountain State Park
George took this photo of us at Lookout Point at Pine Mountain.   Look at that wicked sky!!!!!!!!  Can I tell you that it was COLDER than COLD standing out there in that stiff wind!!!! Yow!




At the Scenic Obed River near Wartburg, TN
On the way home on Friday (25th),  we stopped to check out the Scenic Obed River along our way.  While George took photos,  guess what I did???????  I SAT and enjoyed the scenery all around me!!!!ha




Us at the Scenic Obed River, Tennessee
While at the Obed River (which as you can tell was VERY low--with not much water), we decided to take a photo of the two of us together... Other than still being cold,  we had a gorgeous day to travel.




Gorgeous Autumn Colors along the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, Tennessee
After getting up on the Cumberland Plateau and taking the 'short-cut' through the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area,  we found the Fall Colors to be much, much prettier (at the higher elevation).  I put this photo on Facebook --so wanted to share it with you too.




Along our rocky road in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area
George took this photo --and I loved seeing the blue skies and all of the different Autumn colors.  Isn't it just marvelous?




Beautiful Fall Colors on the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee--on 10/25/13
I am constantly looking up at the blue-blue sky and seeing so much interesting color in the tops of the trees.  I love this one!




Praise God for all of the Beauty we Enjoy!
AND---just as we got almost home on the 25th,  we noticed these beautiful red trees near the Lutheran Church in Fairfield Glade.  I managed to get a fantastic photo showing a red tree and the church steeple.   What a fabulous 'welcome home' for us!!!!!

Stay tuned for more photos from this great trip... Hope you had a good week.  IF I missed anything important on your blog,  please tell me.. I 'tried' to read blogs --but didn't have much time during the week.

Be sure and check out Neal's blog (click HERE).   Neal and Patti have been traveling through the years --so he always features GREAT photography from his trips.

Have a fantastic Monday!
Hugs,

48 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

i have to say...of all your really beautiful tree photos with the pretty changing leaves, my very favorite is the one almost HOME!!!! The gorgeous red tree with the church steeple and the brilliant blue sky!!!! It would even make an amazing Christmas card, I LOVE it!!!! You GOT me, when I saw you and the bear on Facebook, I thought it might be real.

Ms. A said...

The colors look so beautiful! I'd love to see some for myself.

Our photos said...

What a fun of you on the swing!
Greetings, RW & SK

Anonymous said...

Amazing shots of trees . Love all your photos. Good trip.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What a glorious view you had from your room! But my very favorite was the one of you on the swing! I just love the joyousness of that picture and think it gives just a glimpse of the child Betsy who is still very much a part of the adventurer we so enjoy!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Betsy What an amazing trip you had with your friends and wonderful photographs. The autumn colours are outstanding. I love the last photo the best, Red, white and blue.Can't beat that!

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,

Another set of beautiful sceneries, these pictures are stunning I really love the colours in the trees. The one with the mist is beautiful. I can see why you love it so much. Have a fantastic week and thank you for stopping by at my blog ^_^

Eva

Ann said...

Love the name of that park Kingdom Come. That was some spectacular view from your hotel room.
Glad you had a great time even if the weather wasn't the best

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful colors, Betsy! The trees are gorgeous! Glad you had a nice visit with your friends! Have a happy day!

Peaches McGinty said...

Hi Betsy!
Excellent first photo of you on the swing! you put a big grin on my face!
swings are irresistible! beautiful pics with such warm, rich colours, you would never guess it was cold with all of you looking so happy! the fog in the valley is a great shot too x x

Fun60 said...

Often the best can be right on our doorstep. You have the most amazing fun when you are travelling. The joy can be seen in your eyes on every photo. Have a good week.

Small Kucing said...

Me too would hop on the swing :) a child at heart

Big Dude said...

Looks like a fine place to spend time with friends, especially with the fall colors.

MastHoliday said...

What the amazing time to trip with family and friends!! the autumn looking so colorful and pretty.
such beautiful photos.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

The leaves are so pretty there!

From the Kitchen said...

I can always count on you and George for more "doses" of fall color!! I especially love "fog in the valley".

Best,
Bonnie

linda m said...

Those are some really beautiful Fall colors. I love the view of the fog in the valley. What a wonderful trip you had.

MadSnapper said...

the bear chat i love and the tree of many colors is awesome. the rocky road in Catoosa looks like a painting mother used to have on the living room wall. so beautiful, all of these.

Anonymous said...

It's nice to see the vibrant fall colors. It does look cold in these photos!!! Glad you had fun with friends.

David said...

Betsy, Beautiful photos of the fabulous fall colors! We've never been to Obed in the fall but it looks like we need to make the trip. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Nellie said...

Wonderful photos of beautiful color! That is such a pretty area of the country. Looks like you were having fun at Cove Lake!

Hugs,
Nellie

Chatty Crone said...

Gorgeous! As usual. I love fall. So are Neal and Patti life long friends. They are so cute as well as you and George and be careful talking to bears!!!!!!!!!

Jim and Sandie said...

It is so neat when you find friends that you so enjoy spending time with. The colors in the trees are just incredible. But I would have a hard time enjoying myself when it's that cold. I have become such a wuss.

I Am Woody said...

Looks like you guys had a fantastic trip!! Such beautiful colors!!

Larry said...

You folks certainly do live life to the fullest!! Beautiful photos... Larry

Sylvia K said...

How fun!! And such a gorgeous place!! All of you look great and there's no doubt that you're having such a fun time! Thanks for sharing the beauty and the smiles! A great way to start my day!!

Linda P said...

It's always good to spend time with friends who share the same interests. I can tell you had fun and brought back happy memories as well as gorgeous photos.

Rose said...

Yes, could definitely tell you guys had a good time. Love all the color...can't wait to hear your comments about home. We had such a wonderful place to roam...

Janice K said...

Your fall colors down there are breathtaking. Up here we have had a lot of yellows, but reds seem faded out. I'm not sure why.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love seeing all that gorgeous colour. What I noticed is that you have a lot more reds in that area than we do here.The reds add that splash of extra colour to make the scenes even more beautiful.

Arkansas Patti said...

Loved that picture of you on the swing. Your inner child is obviously alive and well.
What beautiful colors you got to enjoy. Not sure I'd be comfortable standing under that rock. How nice to have friends that like what you do.
We are starting to change here.

Rohrerbot said...

Hello stranger:) I finally have had a chance to sit down again and read!!!! It has been crazy over here. LOVE all your fall colors and I remember both of these characters from last year! Has it been a year already? Anyhow, I love the rain but like you say, it doesn't always cooperate:) I love those traditions we have with friends.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Such beautiful pictures of the fall colors, Betsy. And that last photo, with the church steeple, is wonderful!

Shug said...

I must say....that is some beautiful country. I'm telling you..YOU and George really know how to spend your retirement years. FUN, FUN, FUN and I'm so proud for you. Who would have thought that there would have been a state park anywhere near your state of Tenn that you haven't explored. Life is great isn't it?

hugs to you

Grandma Bonnie said...

As usual you always have some great photos. That tree of many colors is just gorgeous.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

There is always something to enjoy no matter where you are. Looks like you all had fun.

Janie said...

What gorgeous colors! And you're looking quite svelte and youthful, Betsy.

Carletta said...

It was fun to see Neal and Patti again. You all certainly do look like you were having a good time although a cold one.
Your fall photos are lovely! We are still waiting for the peek here.
That last shot is the epitome of fall with all those colors and that beautiful sky. George did good!

happyone said...

Wow great photos and looks like you had such a good time.
I see you like to swing too. : )

Elizabeth Edwards said...

u look like u r having a real blast. love those fall colors. ( ;

carolina nana said...

What a fun trip, too bad it was so cold. Looks like all of you had fun anyway. Love all the pretty leaf color pics.
Our weather is rainy and cloudy today, guess we might as well hunker down for winter !!!
Blessings
Marilyn

Small City Scenes said...

Such beautiful color. I love the Fall. Love that last picture with the beauty of nature and man's reaching out to God. great. It looks you all had a real fun time. Nice to have such gracious friends. MB

Serenity Cove said...

Those leaves are a lot prettier than ours. This year has been a bust! Very disappointing after last year being one of the best ever.

Miss Debbie said...

Are you sure you were in KY?? Looks a lot like our Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, GA! Funny, huh? Looks like fun!

Anonymous said...

What glorious autumn colours! Looks like a fun trip, in spite of the cold weather.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a great trip you had! It is so nice to meet up with friends who have the same interests as you.
Love all the photos you cute little swinger you!! LOL
You are so lucky to see so much FALL color. LOVE it.
XOXO

Connie said...

Such beautiful fall colors! Great photos, Betsy! :)

Twilight Man said...

What a lovely outing to meet up with Neal and Patti who are so dear and friendly. The autumn colors on the trees are just so beautiful!