Getting 'tagged' TWICE has brought back such good memories of our hike to Abrams Falls in 2006. SO--I decided to share a few more photos from that special hike, including one from my second 'tag'. There's two things which made this hike special. One was that it began in one of our favorite places, Cades Cove (in the Smokies). And secondly, we got to hike with our great friends, Judy and Charlie.
Many national parks are primarily famous for their natural features. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique, as it is well-known for its cultural attributes. The history of mountain folk culture is well-exhibited throughout the park. If you come to see the falls wihin the western portion of the Smokies , be sure to experience the human side at Cades Cove. You will LOVE it.
Abrams Falls is a 5 mile (total) hike --but has a very well-maintained trail. It is rated as moderate in our hiking book, I guess due to the length. Our friends, Judy and Charlie, are also 'outdoorsy' people like us. They have traveled more than we have, and love to camp--as well as hike. We have such a great time when the four of us are together. It was a wonderful fall day in the Smokies when we hiked to Abrams Falls. Above is a picture of the waterfall, and below are more photos from that day.
I would like to introduce you to our wonderful friends, Judy and Charlie. Judy is about as big as a minute!!!!! When I'm beside her (and I'm not THAT tall), I look like a giant!!!
George snapped this picture above of Judy and me yakking while standing on one of the little bridges near the falls. When Judy and I get together, we BOTH can talk a 'blue streak'!!!! (Heard that expression????)
This picture above shows one of the little bridges along the way. It was a beautiful day for hiking!!! I also included this picture since TRICIA tagged me (this is my 2nd tag)--and told me to go to the 4th file and show the 4th picture. Well--since I have two files from Abrams Falls, the picture above is the one Tricia asked me to feature. Anyone who would like to play this game is invited to do so. It's fun --as long as you come up with a 'good' picture to show!!! ha (Thanks Tricia!)
This final picture above is of me standing near the waterfall. That was a neat place to be. We could just sit on those rocks and enjoy the sound of the water forever. If you ever get to the Smokies, visit Cades Cove and hike to Abrams Falls!!!
Your waterfall photos are just spectacular Betsy. What a passion you and George have for hiking and visiting waterfalls. It's nice to "see" your friends also. And yes, I have heard the expression talk a blue streak which in essence means the men folk don't get in a word edgewise!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous. Betsy you look radiant in those photos. I think the happiness the you have when you go to your favorite places shows on the camera. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great hike that looks like, your waterfalls have me itching to come to TN! And when done with friends it is twice as special. Your smiles tell the story!
ReplyDeleteGreat waterfalls again. And the smokies are great waterfall country, and probably the destination of many day hikes. I agree about the cultural aspect being oftentimes the most intriguing part of our national parks, you can almost hear those ghosts from the past whispering in your ear.
ReplyDeleteYou have such great taste in hikes and scenery Betsy! And I understand a Blue Streak talk - when I get together with my friend Kim - my hubby says "god help anyone who tries to interupt you two!" I'm going to come visit Tenn in the future Betsy...you wait and see! I'm going to store some snowballs in my freezer for you.
ReplyDeleteBetsy: Neat photo for your meme and a neat falls post. How does it feel to be a giant, if only for a short while?
ReplyDeleteI've heard that talking a blue streak, also 'hard to get a word in edgewise'.
I love Abrams Falls too!
ReplyDeleteI love taking these arm-chair hikes with you1 I would have to start working on my stamina now already to take one of those hikes. You may get me started yet! These are gorgeous shots and you look right in your element. Would love to visit TN! During hubby's sabbatical we lived for a year and half in Louisville, KY and absolutely loved every minute of that part of the country! We never did get to TN at that time.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures and I am sure wonderful memories of spending time with your friends. Your hiking trips all look like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful falls and how nice to have good friends to share it with :-)
ReplyDeleteLove those waterfall and trail photos, Betsy. I think it's wonderful that you and your friends get such enjoyment out of hiking.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun time was had by all ... especially the gals. Me and my friend from Quesnel ... when we get together ... we talk a blue streak too ... D laughs.
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures. You guys visit some gorgeous areas! We are lucky to live in such a beautiful state.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I know you're happy to see the snow today.
Your pictures are great Betsy. That's such a pretty place. We dearly love the Smokies and like hiking the Alum Bluff Cave trail. Have you walked that one?
ReplyDeleteYes..I have been known to talk a blue streak too...It's great that you have photos of all your hikes to share...
ReplyDeleteI'm chasing you around the pi-nanner! Don't trip over your petticoat ;)
ReplyDeleteHow far into the Cove do you see the sign for this place?
I love the picture of you with Judy. Such a pretty smile.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you Sammie (my parrot) says, "Go Titans?" Does that make you feel better? Ha!
I love waterfalls too. I guess I should some of the ones out this way. I would love to visit the smokies some day and maybe I will. You are a great Chamber of commerce for them LOL.
ReplyDeleteYou do look so happy in the picture one could surely tell you were enjoying yourself.
this looks like a great place to hike. it is fun to have friends you can just let it all hang out with and talk up a storm, heard of that expression.
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy! Wow, this is so neat. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. :)
ReplyDeleteJudy and Charlie sound like an awesome couple. and yes,lol, I have heard of "Talking a blue streak!"
Thankyou for bringing me the country here in your blog, since I cannot be back home in my small town in Michigan.
~Judy
Great photographs. They bring back memories of our trips to Cades Cove.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are just amazing....Judy and Charlie look like a fun couple. I have heard the blue streak comment before, but never the "big as a minute" comment...I will have to remember that one.
ReplyDeleteSuz
Dear Betsy, These are great pictures. One thing I'd like to know, do you ever not smile? You seem to be the happiest person. I'm so glad for you.
ReplyDeleteYa'll were having a big time I can tell!! Fun fun fun....
ReplyDeleteLovely post of a beautiful location.
ReplyDeleteI was at Rockwood last night instead of home, but yes there is snow. Plus lots of birds. I have seen 13 varieties in the yard now
(11 of them this weekend). My first ever Pine Siskin this morning. Knew instantly what it was, so close, but not close to the Goldfinch that was on the other side of the same feeder. Also, think I saw my first Yellow bellied Sapsucker, but have not taken the photo to the reference book yet, so not positive that is what it was.
If I could have called you this morning I would have, because I knew you were excited about the snow.
Leedra’s Photos For Fun
Photography By Leedra
Leedra’s Greeting Cards
Ah, good friends make every trip memorable.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Betsy, I've been trying to figure out something that my husband and I would both love to do and wouldn't cause us too much initial pain to start, lol, and I think that some "mild" beginner's hikes may be in our future. The falls you've shown are absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJackie
P.S. I'm sure there is a prize to the photo contest, but honestly I never bothered to look what it is! lol
Great spot - I could almost feel the soft spray from the falls!
ReplyDeleteLove all your falls hikes. Our favorite hike in Tennessee isn't in the Smokies but rather in Nashville, Radnor Lake. When I had my hip replacement, my goal by my 6 months was to hike around Radnor Lake...and I did!
ReplyDeleteYour waterfalls are wonderful...hopefully we will make it to Tennessee this spring. We wanted to go in the fall but things kept happening till we didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteLove your pics of the water falls. I've been to Abrams Falls. Love, love Cades Cove. Love the mtns period. Been walking the Alum Cave Bluff Trail also.
ReplyDeleteBlue Streak, mile a minute, can't get a word in edgewise, big as a minute, chunk it out. I've heard all of them. Normal talk to me. Some others don't understand what I'm saying. Who has heard the term "rick of wood"?
What fun - exercise, friends, nature, beauty ... looks like it was a lovely day. And I love that top photo of the waterfall.
ReplyDeleteYou have such gorgeous places to show.The water falls are spectacular,and seeing them with dear friends,well,that's the icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
You are having way too much fun! LOL I am loving the waterfall photos
ReplyDeleteMildred-- We have seen some gorgeous waterfalls through the years. It's hard to pick a favorite --since they all are unique in their own way. I've heard the 'edgewise' saying too...
ReplyDeleteKallen--Thanks!!! There's nothing better than being with friends at a waterfall!!
Cedar--Well--just come on down!!!! We'd love to show you around TN...
Bob--You'd love Cades Cove. There is truly so much history there. Yes, we've seen some beautiful waterfalls.
Shelley--My hubby would say the same thing when Judy and I get to talking!!!! Of course, both of us don't have trouble talking to anyone!!! ha.. YES--I'm going to hold it to you and your Sweetie. Come on down anytime. We have gotten a little snow today--so I'm a happy gal right now!!!!
Tom--Thanks.. I enjoyed doing that meme. It is fun to stand tall near a waterfall--if only for a few minutes!!!! I've also heard of the 'edgewise' saying too. I think I need to do a blog on all of the crazy language!!!!
Woody--Have you biked around the cove??? We haven't but it looks like fun.
Karin--Glad you enjoyed our 'tour'... I enjoying taking folks along for the ride!!!! Louisville is not that far from us... Hope you can get to TN someday.
Judy--Thanks... We did have a great time that day. It's fun to see waterfalls--but even more fun when we are with our friends.
Mary--Amen to that!!!! These two friends have alot in common with us. All four of us love being out in nature.
Pat--Hiking is great exercise--and as you know, we all need more exercise. I'm active and constantly moving (except when I'm sitting at this 'puter). BUT--hiking and raking are better ways to get exercise.
Cicero-- Judy and I BOTH are big talkers---so you can just imagine the two of us together!!!!! ha
Carla-- We do live in a beautiful place here in FFG. And YES---I love our little snow. It's pretty!!!! AND our birds are eating like crazy today..
Susie-- No, we haven't done Alum Cave yet--but hopefully we'll do that someday. We've hiked Rainbow Falls, Grotto Falls, and Baskins Creek Falls---plus many more.
Michelle-- Well we do have TONS of pictures. When my children were little, we took only slides.. One of my sons is trying to put the slides on some CD's eventually. I hope he does. Since George and I got married, we take pictures constantly...
Phyllis--Funny---I can just see us doing that right now!!!! ha ha... Abrams Falls is on the far end of the road before you get to that old mill.
Dianne---Good for Sammie.... He knows what's good!!!! ha... What did you decide about your job?
MB--We'd love to come out west sometime and see all of the gorgeous waterfalls out there--and there are TONS of gorgeous ones!!!! Maybe someday!!! Hope you all do get to TN sometime... You'd love it!
Hi Marmee--How's life in middle TN??? Did you get snow? We got some today--and it's pretty!!!! Not too much--but enough! Yes, seeing a waterfall with friends is very special!!! Yes, I'm good at talking 'up a storm' also!!!
Hi Judy-- Glad I could take you to the Smokies with us!!!! ha.... NOW--will you take us to Florida with you???? I'm ready for the beach!
Carolyn--I'm so glad you have been there. Cades Cove is so gorgeous. We like to go either really early in the morning or right a sunset to see lots of deer and bears. Glad you got some snow yesterday. We got some today!!!
Suzanne-- I don't know where 'big as a minute' came from ---but in small town in Virginia, we had alot of sayings like that!!!! Sounds like I need to do a blog on that!!!! ha
Diane--I am happy most of the time---but when I'm sad, I'm really sad. Think I'm just a 'drama queen.' ha ha
Darla--Yes, it was fun seeing a waterfall WITH friends...
Leedra---I thought about you this morning also. I thought you may be getting snow also. We only have about an inch or two--but it's pretty. WOW--I know we are supposed to have Sapsucker's around here--but I just haven't seen any yet... I didn't count how many varieties of birds I've seen recently... I need to make a list.
Barb--One thing about digital photography---we can take a trillion pictures of the same spot and hopefully one of them will turn our perfect!!! ha... That first picture really does look nice, doesn't it??? It helped for us to be there in October--so we did have some fall colors. Thanks!
Sally--Absolutely!!! It's fun to see waterfalls with people who love them as much as we do---well, almost as much!!! ha
Jackie--I almost didn't recognize you. You changed pictures!!!! No more long hair???? I wear my hair really short now--and finally found a woman who can cut it. My hair is very straight --so it takes someone who knows how to cut it to do it really good. You and hubby would love hiking.. AND there are so many 'easy' hikes--where you can stroll and enjoy the nature around you. Well--with or without a prize, your pictures are perfect!!!
Hi Deb--- That's one of the best things about getting close to waterfalls. There's one big waterfall south of us (Rock Island) which we used to love to visit since we could actually sit on the rocks and feel the spray from the huge waterfall. We can't do that anymore because we can't get that close. So sad!!! I love feeling that spray!!!
Sue--Good for you for exercising after a hip replacement.. Many people don't --which causes even more problems. I've never been to Radnor Lake--so will have to check it out sometime. George and I used to walk in Centennial Park in Nashville--and we'd walk about that lake also.
Rose--I hope you all make it to TN also sometime. You and your family would love to see the Smokies. I know about things coming up... We will plan something and then something else comes up to change those plans.. Oh Well!!!
Lola--Where do you live??? Since you know so many of the same expressions, I wondered if you were from Virginia or Tennessee... We buy wood by the ricks each year.
Wren-- Thanks!!! That is a good picture of Abrams Falls. We were lucky to be there in the fall--when there was still some fall color.
Ruth---you are right. Seeing a beautiful waterfall is special--but seeing it with good friends is even better!!!
Hi Peggy--How are the kids????? I love keeping up with your blog.. You are the one with an interesting life!!! But--we do have fun!!! Thanks!
I only got to experience the Smokies once on the Appalachian Trail, and it impressed me very much. It would be great to explore more of those mountains including all of your waterfalls that you have been sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are so beautiful. You want to know something I am 4ft.6 inches tall...LOL....Mary..
ReplyDeleteBernie, You would really enjoy this area since you love nature so much. There's so much to see!!!! Come east, Bernie!!!
ReplyDeleteMary, So you are a little gal yourself. Judy says that she may eventually have to use a child's car seat!!!! ha ha... I think that Judy is about 4' 11" or so... I am 5' 6".. Have a good day tomorrow!!!
I've been to Cades Cove once but my daughter has been several times. She gave me a picture of herself a few years ago that looks like it could have been taken at those falls. I'll have to ask her.
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures!
Dot---I hope your daughter will take you to Cades Cove sometime. It is a really neat place!!! I'll bet she was at that waterfall!!!
ReplyDeleteI love all your waterfall photos. Jozlyn is doing good she still has to use a billy blanket. I can not believe they treat kids at home now for Jonas. Amy had to say 2 weeks under light when she was born.
ReplyDeleteTimes have changed, haven't they Grammy??? I'm sure Jozlyn will be fine in just a short time. Enjoy being Grammy!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteI was born in Paris, Tn. We had a place in N.C. just over the mtn. I'd never seen the mtns till my LH & I got married & he took me. Boy, he lost me to the mtns. N.Y., N.J., PA., TEXAS, N.C. now Fl. Other states were visits. Been & seen other places but the mtns. are my favorite. Maybe I was a mountaineer in a past life. lol
Lola--Well, I'm a real mountain girl, having been born and raised in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. My hubby is a farm boy ---so we've learned from each other!!!! I knew nothing about farming and he knew nothing about living in the mountains!!!!
ReplyDelete