George and I spent a couple of days in the fabulous SMOKY MOUNTAINS last week. On 1/23/13, we visited a favorite place, Cades Cove. I love that valley --and all of the peace one can feel just by being there...
As I've said many times, we visit the Smokies during the 'off-seasons' when there aren't very many people around. Last week was one of those perfect weeks because, even though it was quite cold (30's), the sun was shining brightly. AND--there were very few people around.
We have visited the Smokies many, many times---but this time, we saw more deer (pictured above) than we have EVER seen there at one time... Such gorgeous animals!!! Be sure to click on the photos and collages to see enlargements.
No matter how many times we visit there, we still love to stop all along the way and take photos... I took this picture of George as we checked out that beautiful area.
I never tire of seeing the little churches in Cades Cove. This time I took some pictures to share with you....
When I am in that valley, I feel a peace unlike any other place we ever visit. I could live there in a heartbeat!!!
You can tell by the look on my face how happy I was to be there.
George wandered around in the wooded area near the Missionary Baptist Church trying to find a better place to take a picture of the church. Both George and I enjoy hiking off-trail in the winter...
Finally, I'll close with a collage showing several different views of the Smoky Mountains from Cades Cove. If you haven't had the privilege of visiting our Smokies, add it to your list sometime --and make sure that Cades Cove is on that list!!!!
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| Rhododendron during our Ice Storm |
Hope you made it through the weekend... We had an Ice Storm here --but luckily, other than losing our power once (briefly), we didn't have anymore problems. However, it was very very slick ---and we were just glad to be home --safe and sound!!! We didn't venture out of the house much at all--except when I was filling the bird feeders.
Here's a picture showing how pretty the trees looked --as they turned silver in color. Wanna come and sit on my bench????? NO----not on that day, you didn't!!!! TOO COLD!!!!
Finally, here's a close-up of one of the branches on one of our trees. Interesting, isn't it???? I do NOT like ice storms --but this one didn't cause us any problems --and it turned out to be kinda pretty!!!!! Hope you had a great weekend.
Hugs,
I drove through Tennessee in an ice storm once. It was no fun at all.
ReplyDeleteLove the Cade's Cove photos!
Another awesome hike and pictures. I really love your collages. I wish I know how to do one:)
ReplyDeleteHave a happy week.
One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, your pictures are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLove your header :)
~Jo
i agree with you there - dislike "ice storms" they are so not safe. that's what is happening around our parts today until 10 am. not cool. love that mountain view behind George. you get to stand in front of the water view. nice!! my in-laws were at Cades Cove not to long ago & really enjoyed it. it has been a view years for us. love the churches ... i love how you do the groupings. neat!! ( :
ReplyDeleteDear Betsy ~ Thank you for the lovely hike through Cades Cove. Yes you do look happy, relaxed and content there, and like you I think it would be wonderful to live there. DH and I often talked of moving somewhere quiet with a view. We honeymooned in the Smokies.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week ~ FlowerLady
P.S.
ReplyDeleteThe ice covered trees look lovely.
Such lovely colors Betsy! No wonder you had such a happy face! :) Especially when there was no snow to deal with there!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
xo Catherine
I love that valley also. I'd like to know how many of the same pictures I have from different trips. Patti and I always love to stop at the old cabins along the way. Like you, I could live there in a heart beat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the trip to Cades Cove, the photos are beautiful. Can't tell you how many times I've stood on that little deck by the river in the picnic area! I'm like you I love the off times to visit Cades Cove. Even been there before daylight waiting for them to open the gate.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how you all did with the storm. So glad there wasn't much damage. Yes it is pretty and when the sun hits the ice, the trees look like they are dressed in wonderful jewelry.
ReplyDeleteCades Cove is a favorite of mine also. Thanks for the views.
Cades Cove is one of my favorite places. There is always a line of cars bumper to bumper when I've been. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteIt is highly likely this is exactly where you will find me one day early next week! Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteHello Betsy, I love seeing all the glorious photos of Cades Cove. The wee churches are sooooooooooo neat to see. I am glad the ice storm did not cause you any real problems. I absolutely LOVE seeing the Rhodies. May I ask you when the Rhodies Bloom in your area???? I so would love to see them blooming in the Spring. Hugs Judy
ReplyDeletei love the three old churches, i would snap myself silly around them. the bench is beautiful under that icy tree. great shot.
ReplyDeleteIce storms are definitely no fun - they're just so dangerous!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics from Cades Cove.
Cades Cove is indeed a very peaceful place (in the off season). We din't get the bad ice storm here. Just snow followed by rain. Temps then stayed in the mid 30's.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, I love your pictures of Cades Cove, one of my favorite places on earth!!! Also enjoyed the pictures of the icy trees! Have a great new week!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so cheerful even when discussing ice storms. Cades Cove is beautiful especially in Winter. How clear the mountains are behind George. Love the little wooden churches. Love your "signature". Have a lovely day in TN.
ReplyDeleteThe Smoky Mountains do indeed look like a wonderful and peaceful place. I can see why you like it there!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to get away to such a peaceful place out of season and with sunny weather! The little churches are picturesque. The ice storm must be unpleasant if you are out in it. Glad you were indoors and were able to take
ReplyDeletesome interesting photos.
If you hadn't said those pictures were taken in January, I would have never guessed--except for the icy ones! We were supposed to get some ice overnight, but it is in the 40's this morning.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
Cades Cover looks very inviting. You two look warm and happy:-) Glad the ice storm wasn't too severe. We haven't had ice. Just really cold. Today feels like spring again, but it isn't going to last.
ReplyDeleteThe Church looks beautiful and charming.... the ice coated trees were facinating. even the ice storm is worst, its causes are simply retreat. a
ReplyDeleteAll the photos are enrich in nature setting and hold peace as u said.
Glad the storm passed mildfold. Take care :)
Such a lovely place and you always get such great photos, Betsy! Next best thing to being there myself! Hope you have a wonderful week!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteNow I have been there and I love the history they tell about it. Never in winter and it has been awhile. Very pretty!
ReplyDeleteGlad you survived the ice. We did not get any this time. However, they say we may get some snow this week. Yeah. Even a half inch will be welcomed. Maybe they will miss it and we will get more. Loved the photos of the Churches and the blue mountains from the valley. Peace
ReplyDeleteI believe there are places that have really good vibes about them. A person can know because the second you arrive you feel it.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Beautiful scenes. Visiting these places during the off season seems like a good idea. I don't like dealing with a lot of people around either.
ReplyDeleteI find ice storms amazing, never saw one until I crossed 'the pond'. I'm envious of your trip to the mountains, it's endlessly flat out here. And just a gorgeous piccie of you, so pretty.
ReplyDeleteLovely area year round.I was glad the ice storm passed us by,but it is pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love you all in blue! And the pictures of George. My other favorite is the very sweet church collage, beautiful. Also the icy wonder that is the trees, beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely views from Cades Cove, Betsy. I've never been there, but I'd like to go there one day. We had ice last night, but most of it has melted back off now.
ReplyDeleteYou and George always find the most beautiful places to visit. You live in a beautiful part of the country. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Cades Cove when our children were young. It is a pretty place!
ReplyDeletecades cove looks like a lovley place!
ReplyDeletewhat beautiful scenes you show!
am so glad the ice storms didn't cause you any problems.
i thoroughly enjoyed your gorgeous shots.
thanks for brightening my day!
big hugs~
plus: you look just gorgeous in that blue sweater.
Hi Betsy, So nice to see Cade's Cove pictures. I have been there once in the Summer only. Beautiful place and I think it is likely even prettier in the Winter as your pictures show. Have a super nice coming week!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteThe Cades Cove area reminds me so much of the Sugar Grove, NC area......such beautiful shots and I love the way you did the collages..
That icy closeup of your tree sends chills down my spine. And, Betsy, I love the smile you were wearing on the deck. And the scenery is just breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteSo glad we didn't have an ice storm this weekend....yours was be a-u-ti-ful though! Glad you made it through with only a slight interruption in the electricity.
ReplyDeleteWow, you all got a lot of ice. More than we did and those pictures are so pretty. Iced trees are so beautiful but they sure can cause problems. We hit 63 today for a spring like day. Warmer tomorrow,storm Wednesday then back in the deep freeze for us. I'm glad this January is coming to an end.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Marilyn
Lovely shots of the deer and a gorgeous shot of the layered look in the mountains in that one collage. The poor rhododendron looks miserable with its coat of ice. We had freezing rain last night, but it didn't cling to the trees...just made the roads icy.
ReplyDeleteWhere was the picture taken of you on the wooden deck next to the stream?
Hi Betsy, first I want to tell you I really like the name Elvis for that little guy. The cursor cat is adorable.
ReplyDeleteCades Cove is the most beautiful, serene place I know. Thanks for giving me a glimpse of it again. The photos of you and George, your smiles say it all.
Lot's of great stuff Betsy! You sure do live in a beautiful part of the country. The peacefulness of these places really does come through in your photos. thanks!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your pretty pics and collages, Betsy. Hope you had a good Monday.
ReplyDeleteI love it when you guys visit the Smokey Mountains. This is one of my favorite places and I always feel like I've been on vacation when I stop by. Keep those SM pictures coming..
ReplyDeleteshug
Love your neck of the woods and valleys and mountains! So pastoral!
ReplyDeleteI hate ice storms. One messed up my life for many, many years when I broke my ankle so badly. I always worry when my loved ones have to be out on bad days. So glad you didn't have too many problems with this one.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of the Smokies! Cades Cove is definitely on my bucket list!
Your icy trees and leaves are just gorgeous - very pretty indeed!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Betsy, especially the one of you on the bridge. I've often thought I would love to own the entire cove from the tops of all mountains with nothing there but my log home positioned to look out on the valley floor.
ReplyDeleteI may have mentioned this before but once when I was in Hawaii it was pouring down rain and we were out in I don't know where. I can't remember the circumstances now, but I was waiting for the rest of the party in one of those little Hawaiian churches through the rain. It was pretty neat.
ReplyDeleteFabulous Betsy! You are a wonderful ambassador for your part of the world :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Betsy, such a beautiful place. I love going places like this in the off-season.
ReplyDeleteI never tire of Cades Cove! Each time we go to the Smokies we do all the other things in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge but it's really just bidding time until we get to Cades Cove. Wouldn't be a trip to the Smokies unless we went there.
ReplyDeleteThat's one nice looking Buck!
Oh, Betsy, you two look so content! And the Cove is as beautiful as ever! I wouldn't have thought of visiting in the winter but it does seem like the perfect time. Your icy trees are lovely too, but, no, I think I'll pass on sitting on the bench! :-)
ReplyDeleteBetsy,
ReplyDeleteThese are awesome photos of Cades Cove. I love the churches, the deer, the mountains, the plants, all of these scenes look so peaceful. This is indeed God's country.
Betsy, wonderful photos from your visit to Cades Cove. It is a beautiful place to visit. Icy tree shots are pretty too. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteI like how pretty the ice can look covering the trees and stuff but I do not like the damage it does. I will put Cades Cove on my travel list. I would love to visit in the spring.
ReplyDeleteGlad you didn't have any problems from the ice. It is pretty, but I think it's the worst weather to have. Even that poor rhododendron looks cold! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous area this is....and yes, we can see how much you love it too!! Those churches are just adorable!!
ReplyDeleteStay warm.
XO
Suz
Lucky You...I wanna go too!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad your ice storm wasn't worse. We had some yesterday morning but it warmed up enough that it melted by the time I left for work.
Close to 60 today and tomorrow then back to the 20s thurs. Crazy weather!
Hi Betsy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blog you have...those photos are beautiful! I am so glad that the ice storm wasn't worse. Greetings from Montreal, Canada.
We've had several severe cold snaps and at one point, our hummingbird feeders had frozen completely! So I had to bring them in to thaw. But the feeders were full of love and the birds gladly ate:) Everything:)
ReplyDelete