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...

Friday, December 2, 2011

Peaks of Otter

As we continued our drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway,  we finally got to our destination,  the Peaks of Otter... We had stopped so much during the drive that we didn't get to the Peaks of Otter until WAY after dark....

NOTE for anyone driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway after DARK:  ALL of the deer come out after dark---so we had to drive very slowly so that we wouldn't hit them .  We also didn't want damage to our Prius!!!!  We must have seen from 50-100 deer that night on the parkway.  I was on 'deer patrol' ----trying to spot them as George drove!!!   Not FUN --and kinda scary!!!  SO-----------don't drive up there after dark!!!

We got to the Peaks just in time for some dinner in their restaurant and then to our room to get some sleep... I think we went to bed about 9 p.m.  that night.  We were 'tarred'... ha ha

Here are some pictures around the Peaks of Otter which we took that next morning.  The picture above shows the lake and surrounding area.  Pretty,  isn't it???




George wandered outside to get more photos... The grounds here and facilities are SO nice and so peaceful.





You can see the fog on top of Sharp Top Mountain (one of three PEAKS here).  The last time we were here (Summer of 2010),  we took a bus part of the way UP that mountain --and hiked the rest of the way up to the top... I remember that hike well --since I had had knee surgery in June that year!!!!!




As I said,  the property maintenance/facilities here are so nice... I just feel a peace when I'm here.  Our room looked out toward the lake ---and we had a balcony where we could sit and enjoy the area... Isn't that little bridge pretty?




Here is another view of the sun shining on the lake.

I have one more set of photos from the Peaks of Otter to show you --and will do that next week...  Have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday.

Hugs,
Betsy

49 comments:

diane b said...

I can see why you felt at peace there, it is so beautiful especially in the evening sun. Then I guess you needed some peace and calm after a hair raising drive avoiding the deer. Here we have to watch for kangaroos on the road after at dusk. Have a nice weekend.

Big Dude said...

Looks like a gorgeous place Betsy

Ruth Hiebert said...

The place is very pretty,even without any leaves on the trees. Driving after dark in areas where the deer are present can be scary and dangerous.Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

sorry I haven't been around much. Busy with family and church activities. The photos show some gorgeous scenery. Watching for the galloping deer is a little nerve racking.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Very beautiful! I thought it was nerve racking keeping an eye on the 10-15 deer that hang out around here. I can't imagine 100's. Makes me not want to drive at night.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Ah, you were in my neck of the woods! I have hiked both Sharp Top and Flat Top. :-)

Yes, the deer! Gotta be very cautious.

Love your header :-)

Karin said...

I would hate the idea of driving after dark with deer in the headlights the whole way! So glad you are safe and enjoyed that peaceful place! It is gorgeous!

Catherine said...

Very pretty Betsy!
Wishing you and George a very happy weekend!
xo Catherine

MadSnapper said...

but did you see any OTTER? LOL just kidding. it is beautiful and I love that bridge and the photo of the bridge is beautiful too

Hidden Haven Homestead said...

Beautiful! It does seem to ooze peace and relaxation. Have a very blessed weekend Betsy. I will be going to the mountains on the 15th and staying for 2 weeks.

Out on the prairie said...

Very lovely area.In November the deer are more active making more deer.I stay off the roads as much as I can at night.

Arkansas Patti said...

Deer spotting can be stressful. Glad for all of you that you did a good job.
I love little bridges. I would love one and don't have anything for it to cross. Looks like you had the place to yourselves. That is always nice.

Lady Di Tn said...

Is that a man made lake? Also, you must have done a real good job as "Spotter." It is the same on our nearby Natchez Trace Pkwy. Lots of deer at night. Wishing you a wonderful weekend too. Peace

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos! Thanks for the tip about not driving in the dark. Scary stuff!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

This is just beautiful. Another place to add to our list of places to visit.

Anonymous said...

Such pretty scenery. It is tiring to drive in the dark anyway, but having to watch for deer would be exhausting. Glad you had a safe trip. Have a wonderful weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I am learning so much about great spots to visit from you! It looks like another "Must see" for us. Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

The last time we stayed there the rooms had no TV or phones and it was incredibly peaceful.

Elettra said...

Wow! I wanted to be with you live to see the fabulous places you've visited !!!!!

TexWisGirl said...

the lake is so peaceful - sounds like you needed it after white-knuckle driving thru deer! yikes!

Jo said...

Oh it does look so peaceful there, Betsy. I'm glad you could relaxed after your tarring trip! I simply LOVE your header. Have a great weekend, my sweet Betsy. Hugs Jo

happyone said...

Lovely lake and such a cute name. I can just picture myself there walking around it on the paths.

LV said...

AS ALWAYS, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN ON A VACATION EVERY TIME I VISIT YOUR BLOG. YOU SHOW US SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT. I LOVE YOUR HEADER.

Ginny Hartzler said...

My favorite photo here is actually the wonderful little bridge and the tiny short old fashioned fence. Guess they really need to call this place "Peaks Of Deer"!! Hope you have a great weekend, Betsy!

Ms. A said...

I think me and this place could get along great!

(tarred... love it!)

Chatty Crone said...

Betsy you have a wonderful life - and you are in the most beautiful country! sandie

Dorothy said...

Very nice! Wouldn't this be pretty with snow on the ground!!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I would be a real frightened neophyte trying to drive on a rural road full of deer at night, Betsy. I probably wouldn't do it! The Peaks of Otter is a beautful place and well worth the scary drive.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy! Those beautiful scenes do indeed look very peaceful and relaxing! Glad you didn't get hit by a deer, sounds like there were scads of them around.
Have a great weekend!
Cheryl

Connie said...

The lake there does look so pretty and peaceful, Betsy. Sounds like you had a really nice time there.

Susie Swanson said...

What a beautiful, serene place.. I love The Blue Ridge Parkway, but thanks for the tip on driving after dark. Only came across it one time after dark.. I guess we were lucky.. Thanks for sharing,, Susie

Ann said...

what a gorgeous place that is.
Around here you have to be careful of deer running out too. I'm always on the look out when I drive in the dark. I've hit one and that's one time too many for me

Neal said...

That is a beautiful and peaceful place. I can see why you guys love it.

Sally Wessely said...

I think a peaceful, beautiful place is just what you needed. Bless George for taking you there.

There is a road that I once took often at night when I would go to my mother's house and it was one of those where you were lucky if you didn't see two or three deer. I am good at watching for them as I drive. I learned to drive in the mountains, but they can fool you and dart out with no warning. Scary!

Lynn said...

That is a huge amount of deer. Glad you made it to your destination safely without hitting one. That looks like such a serene location to just enjoy each other and relax. I love those small cross over bridges. Enjoy your weekend. We have ham fest tomorrow, big annual one Terry is so excited about and either a tournament for Jacob or visiting a model train open house. So much going on this weekend in our area. Blessings.

Diane said...

It looks like a very peaceful and beautiful place Betsy. Hope you're feeling back to normal. Diane

A Colorful World said...

The Peaks of Otter is a great place to visit. So glad you two got up there, even though you had to worry about the deer (thankfully you didn't MEET any!) and that you were able to take these great pictures. Enjoyed the post!

Andrea said...

Hi Betsy, they are all photos of serenity, i wonder why there aren't anything on the ground or the lake, maybe because they are wide angle shots. I particularly love that peak shot when the trees have very special texture and character. But that small bridge is really very cute, well thought of too!

trump said...

Your seeing America on your own terms, and thank you for taking us along for the ride. Richard from Amish Stories

carolina nana said...

That looks like a pretty and peaceful place to visit. Too bad there wasn't snow on the mountain tops.
Hope you have a blessed weekend
Marilyn

Small City Scenes said...

It is very peaceful and serene there. We all need that feeling in our lives.
I am glad you are back home and all is well. MB

Donna said...

Looks like a beautiful place!

imac said...

Great show Betsy, hope you are ok now my friend.

Lynda said...

I cannot even want to imagine driving the Blue Ridge Parkway at night! Being on it in the day is enough. That's an amazing amount of deer to see though.
Thanks for sharing the pretty pics of a peaceful looking place.

Rose said...

Oh, that just seems like the most peaceful place...and I have been meaning to tell you I LOVE your header shot. It would make the best Christmas card...

Birdman said...

Ya, the BRP is tricky during daylight. I can't image being on 'deer watch' around all the curves. Excedrin?!

Annie Jeffries said...

The bridge is so appealing. I'm enticed to jump into the picture and take a walk along that path and across the bridge.

Rohrerbot said...

That is the one thing I dislike to do at night....driving on a road known to have deer living around the area. I'm originally from Wisconsin and they are all over the place!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Lovely peaceful area.