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, November 1, 2010

Autumn in the Smokies -Part II

This is another post from our recent trip to North Carolina.  If you missed either of the other two posts,  please scroll  down to Labels on my sidebar and click on MAGGIE VALLEY 10/10.   Today I will share more pictures taken as we crossed over Highway 441 --between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.  Above is a picture showing all of the colors dotted on the mountains.  Below are more.




Glad I wasn't in that airplane.... I loved being on the ground right there in the Smokies... Colors --colors everywhere...




Because of the dry conditions in Tennessee,   the colors include more yellows,  golds,  and browns this year... However,  we did see LOTS of reds and maroons.  Just gorgeous!!!




Here is another view of the Chimneys --showing off their Autumn colors!




I love seeing the green pine trees --with the other trees showing off their colors.




Finally,  here is one more picture showing the mountain ranges ---and a beautiful red tree showing off for us!!!!!

IF you ever get a chance to visit the Smokies,  do it!!!!  It's a wonderful place during ALL seasons.

Hope you had a good weekend.   After a 'Family Meeting' with George's elderly parents,  we think (finally) that we have found an agency who will supply help for them in their home.  Please say a prayer for these two elderly blind people (ages 98 and 90) who want their freedom and independence ---yet desperately need help.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,

64 comments:

Cicero Sings said...

Glad to hear that some help may be on the way for George's folk.

Those Smokies look beautiful -- u have so many beautiful spots to visit within a relatively close range.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Betsy, Thank you for sharing these colorful photos from your recent trip. Like you, I love the pine trees in that one photo against the sky with the colorful leaves all around.
I am praying that George's parents will be satisfied with the help you have arranged for them.
Have a happy Monday.

Love Of Quilts said...

What marvelous pictures you have. I just love seeing the fall colors.Trish

Beth said...

The top two photos remind of a patchwork quilt where you put a pattern of brignt colors in key spots and then sew muted colors around them to accent the color and shapes of the main pattern.
I love that diamond-shaped pattern of color.
But the third is cool in that you take our eyes up through the foliage to the top in a brilliant manner of photography. Love it, Betsy!
They are all good and a perk to this morning as I go to face the 'knot lady'!
Thanks for your comments and yes, she has protection.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Gorgeous photos Betsy and I love your new header and background!!! I will include George's parents in my prayers and what a blessing that they have been independent for so long!!!

diane b said...

The colours are amazing especially the bright red ones. The mountains look like they are on fire. The Smokies are on my wish list. I hope all goes well with George's parents. They are very old to be trying to look after themselves and blind too.

linda m said...

Glad to hear that help for George's parents is finally on the way.

Arkansas Patti said...

Thankfully there are a lot of services today that enable older folks to stay at home. It is a new and needed industry.
Bless them and hope they can stay at home as long as they want.

Your colors are amazing compared to ours. Thanks for the reminder of what Fall can be.

Connie said...

Really magnificent colors, Betsy. Sending good thoughts and prayers for George's folks.

Catherine said...

Warm wishes that George's parents find the right home!

Happy November!
xo Catherine

Peggy said...

There is nothing like fall color in the Smokies. Thank you for sharing a piece of home and beauty. Will keep Georges parents in my prayers. Have a very blessed day!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Betsy,I am enjoying all the fall color you are showing.because of our circumstances,I feel I have missed a lot of our local color.Now I can enjoy some right here on your blog.
Blessings,Ruth

Snap said...

Beautiful Smokies!

Prayers for George's parents (good genes)!

MadSnapper said...

WOW and WOW again!!! the colors are magnificent and marvelous!!! especailly that bright red tree. I hope the new home help works out for them.

Dorothy said...

Betsy, your pictures are great! We should have gone a couple of weeks earlier. We still found some color and and had a good time.
Blessing and Peace for Mr. and Mrs. Adams. I think it's wonderful that they have been able to stay at home this long!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Beautiful. I like the one with the pine trees mixed in. The contrast makes both look more beautiful.

Karin said...

So good that George's parents will now accept the help they need. It's great that they are the ones still making the decisions and you were right in not taking that away until they were ready to agree. It's a tough call though, to just stay in the wings until they were ready. Some of our seniors want to be 'taken care of' far too soon. Then relinquishing their independence too soon, I find that they age more quickly. Always hard to find a healthy balance, isn't it!

Loved all your photos of that gorgeous area you visited. What beautiful sunshine days for photography!

Diane AZ said...

Yes, I also love the dark green pines next to the autumn colored trees. These are all breathtaking views. George's parents are in my thoughts. Please keep us posted on how the home help works out for them.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Ha.. I didn't notice the plane until I read you mentioned it.. had to look again. :-)

My favorite picture is the last one with the mountian ranges. Although they are All beautiful again!! Thanks for sharing your trips and pictures with us! :-)

Have a Wonderfu week, Betsy!
HUGS,
Coreen

From the Kitchen said...

Hi Betsy: I need to "borrow" some fall foliage photos from you!! Although there were patches of beauty, I think we arrived just past "prime time". Nevertheless, it was beautiful. I'm looking forward to catching up with you.

Best,
Bonnie

Small City Scenes said...

Wow, Betsy!! Such a beautiful area--I bet you took a zillion pictures. Thanks for sharing them.

Glad to hear Georges' parents are accepting some help. We all want to stay independant for so long. I know my Mother (94) is the same. She is still hanging on to her car---I cringe at the thought---but she tells me she seldom drives but it is there "just in case'. I am off to visit her today. MB

Sunny said...

What a gorgeous tapestry of Autumn colors. I think this year, in our area, has been one of the best.
It's so difficult when elderly parents get set in their ways. My prayers to all of you :)
☼ Sunny

Reanaclaire said...

hello Betsy, how have you been.. Happy Halloween to you! Autumn is beautiful.. how i wish i could see these awesome sights here in my place..

Busy Bee Suz said...

Gorgeous trees and skies Betsy!!!

I hope Mom and Dad get the help they need without losing the feeling of Independence. They deserve the best.

pam said...

Gorgeous color and yes, I am missing the reds.

~mel said...

I think that is awesome that George's parents have made it this far in their lives ~ and doing it independently! May we all be so fortunate. They're in my prayers that help will be found that everyone is happy with. As always ~ thanks for another wonderful tour of your travels. The Smokies are on my bucket list.

Janice K said...

I pray everything works out for George's parents. I know how difficult it can be, but also how much being "at home" can mean to them.

Your pictures are so beautiful. Fall is such a colorful time to travel.

Harriet said...

Looks like you had a great trip!
I'll pray that you have found the right people to help. It is so important being able to stay in their own home.

LV said...

That area and Colorado produces some of nature's greatest shows.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to say. I guess your colorful pictures just made me speechless.

Anonymous said...

Your header is so lovely...love that pristine little chapel!

My very first flight in an airplane in Feb 2009 was from Columbus Ohio to Atlanta GA right over the top of the Smokies...I had a window seat and the sight was breathtaking!

CottonLady said...

Prayers are coming your way for George's parents. I know from experience this can be rough.

Isn't Gods artwork pretty in the Fall? Love the pictures.

Blessings!
CottonLady

Ginny Hartzler said...

All breathtaking!! I love your new header and background!! My favorite trees are those burnt orange ones, the ones that match your background. We don't see many that color around here!!

I Am Woody said...

That new header pic looks like a postcard! Absolutely beautiful!!

Glad some help has been found for George's parents!!

Anonymous said...

This fall has been one of the most beautiful I've seen in years! I've been all over the countryside around here taking all kinds of pictures - It's just been so beautiful!
I love your pics, especially the 2nd to last w/ that blue sky background!!!

I will definitely pray for his parent's - bless their hearts!!!

Kirigalpoththa said...

You see hundreds of shades from dark brown to dark green!

Glenda said...

Magnificent views!!

I know it must be a relief to you and George that his parents will now have assistance. Hope and pray that they will accept and enjoy the help.

Joe Todd said...

2 thumbs up for George's parents.Hope they are able to get the help they need.. Love all your photos. Seems to me the colors in Ohio are a little more muted than those in the Smokey Mountains. I've been fighting a cold last couple days been slowing me down a little LOL.. Have a great week

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Your pictures are just excellent! I really do want to visit the Smokies. I will be praying for your and George to find the perfect care-giving help for your elderly in-laws. I went through a similar situation in the past few years when my late mother was very ill (she lived until almost 93 and I am an only child). Have a wonderful day!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, I'm just lovin' your beautiful photos! And your header is wonderful...would love to go to church in that setting!

I'll say a prayer that George's parents get the help they need. They are amazing to be able to stay in their own homes at that age!

Have a wonderful, joy-filled day,
Cheryl

Fred Alton said...

Betsy, you and George have captured the colors in a spectacular fashion. Love your "Catalooche church" header. Praying with you for George's parents.

SmilingSally said...

Johnny and I have visited the Smokies--twice! We loved it, but our pictures are not as beautiful as yours, Betsy.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Well I might not make the trip this year, but I can say I've enjoyed the show of colors through Betsy's blog ;)
I thought the drought would have adversely affected the colors of the leaves, but you really can't tell a whole lot of difference.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip with us, you have the nicest of bloggy friends.
Sorry I've been short on commenting lately, I've done more reading, and less typing ;)
Enjoy the fall, it's magnificent.

nanny said...

The colors are so beautiful.....
Maybe next year we will have more rain and colors.

Every pond or stream I see is dried up or almost so. Sad!

Neal said...

Beautiful pictures Betsy!!! The colors were so bright and beautiful...especially when the sun was shining on them.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Such beautiful autumn colors! I cna never get enough of them!

Sending up prayers for your in-laws Betsy. It's very hard when the elderly need help but won't accept it. I understand wanting to be independent but safety and peace of mind is important too. I hope the agency will be helpful!

KathyA said...

I like the foil of the evergreens against the autumnal leaves, too.

More importantly, will pray for George's parents and the new caregivers.

Anonymous said...

That red tree and those mountains are just beautiful. I could look at them all day. It is getting a lot cooler here at night. I guess old man winter is on his way. I love the fall but not the winter! Have a good week.

Lola said...

Thank you Betsy. Just as I remember. Such good memories.

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh my goodness Betsy, the colors are stunning. Your photos bring back so many memories of trips with my family to that area.

I hope it all works out with the help that has been selected for George's parents. While I think it is fantastic that they want their independence I realize they must need some help and care.

Cheryl said...

Glorious colors. What a lovely trip to take...would love to one day. Pleased for you all that help is available to George's parents...Mark's 97 y.o. grandmother is in the same situation. Its very hard to find good care and keep the elderly in their homes. Will keep all of you in my prayers.

Kay said...

So much color in the Smokies. This is a place I've always wanted to visit but have never gotten to.

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

My place.

When my mom was in her last few years, she'd say she wanted to go to the mountains. When we couldn't get away for a few days, I'd say, "Well, let's take a drive up to the Poconos..." Nope...those aren't our mountains, she say. Your post today is what she wanted to see, where she wanted to be. Her place.

Lynda said...

When you look at your pictures, do you just want to be back there?!!! You are like me in that I could just sit and stare at the mountain colors all day. God's beauty just resonates in my spirit.

The Retired One said...

Oh Betsy, these are marvelous and stunning! And yes, prayers go to your inlaws for some good caregivers!

Shelley said...

Praying you find the right help for George's parents and that they can maintain as much as their independence as possible. (Don't we all?!) Wonderful set of photos today - you are getting so good w/ your camera!!

carolina nana said...

We are so lucky to live so close to such beautiful mountains.
My prayers go out to you as you deal with George's parents,bless their hearts and your's also
HAve a blessed tomorrow
MArilyn

Sharon said...

Love the last picture! The mountains look gorgeous!

Good that George's folks will have somebody helping them, I don't know how anyone else feels about it, but I would not want to leave my home and go live with any of my kids.

penny said...

Thanks for the beautiful fall journey, Betsy.. its gorgeous!

Mary said...

Beautiful autumn color! I hope the help for George's parents works out for all of you. It is so hard to give up your independence.

Anonymous said...

The colors in your photographs are gorgeous! I hope all goes well with the help you have found for George's parents.

Twilight Man said...

The dots of colors make it look like a lovely painting. Perhaps, you should print them into postcards or framed prints and sell for charity.

Anonymous said...

I know I have already visited this post and have commented.

I just came back to see the wonderful colors AGAIN!

Janie said...

The array of colors in your photos is amazing! Thanks for sharing the beauty.
I hope the agency you found will provide the help George's parents need. It's touchy for the elderly to get help that still allows them independence. We're about to face a similar problem with Steve's dad, who at 94 is just barely coping on his own.