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,