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, September 29, 2014

What Else did we Enjoy in the Smoky Mountains????

Early Morning in the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee
Well Friends,  It's almost October.... Can you believe it????  I thought I just wrote that it was September --just a week or so ago.  Time is FLYING... Mercy me---before we know it,  it will be Christmas... GOSH!!!!  Anyhow---welcome to AUTUMN.  It's my favorite season --so I hope we can enjoy it for SEVERAL WEEKS/MONTHS....

But today,  we're going back to SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ---and talk more about our Day Trip to the Smoky Mountains that day.  This will be my third blog post talking about that daytrip.  If you missed either of the other two, click HERE  and/or HERE.   We had so much fun that day ---so I'm sure there will be more posts upcoming...

Today is a 'hodge-podge' post just showing you some of the other things we saw (besides the back roads, creeks, early fall colors and wildflowers).  Hope you enjoy these pictures.  Be sure to click on them for enlargements.


We walked across the new bridge at the Chimneys Trailhead to check out the water/cascades.



WOW---don't you love the sunbeams?  We had a mixture of sun and rain and clouds all during that day!



Beautiful and interesting SKY all around these mountains!



George standing at an overlook;  We were watching rain to the left and sun to the right!



Oh those gorgeous Smoky Mountains;  I could stay here all day --just looking!



A beautiful doe almost came up to us when we were hiking near one of the overlooks along Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.  She and her fawn actually followed us part of the way--and weren't as afraid as most deer are.



I love seeing the big puffy clouds...  Are they full of rain???????



Here is the cute little Fawn (with its spots) --who was following his/her mother  on that trail. 



Oh those beautiful Smoky Mountains!!! I love seeing all of the layers.



Here we are at one of our favorite overlooks --checking out the mountains AND wildflowers.



More beautiful sky pictures;  I love seeing the shadows on the mountains!



"Hurry!!!  Let's have lunch before the rain gets here."



See the RAIN on that next ridge????  BUT--there was still sun where we were!!



Here's one more picture showing the mountains,  the sunshine,  AND RAIN in the distance!



AND---after seeing all of the beauty in the Smokies,  we had more glorious beauty on our way  home that evening.  This is the SUNSET that evening as we drove on the Cumberland Plateau heading home!!!!  WOW!



Two people in love ---who also love being in the MOUNTAINS!

Hope you enjoyed seeing more of our pictures from that Day Trip to the Smokies.  As you can see,  whether it is sunny or rainy or just cloudy,  the sky can give us so much beauty while in the mountains.. We will go back and take pictures in some of these same areas after the leaves change colors this coming month.  I can't wait to see it all again in AUTUMN.

Hugs,

55 comments:

Ms. A said...

Betsy, I LOVE those sunbeams!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, lovely post from the Smokies.. I love the cute deer. And the scenic views of the mountains! Enjoy your day!

Ann said...

All your photos are wonderful. My favorite is the one with the sun beams though. So pretty

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Betsy ~ These are fabulous photos! Having been to the Smokies for our honeymoon, I know how beautiful they are and your pictures show this beauty.

Thank you ~ FlowerLady

diane b said...

The skies and mountains are dramatic. Love the sunbeams too. Hope you had lunch before the rain.

Anonymous said...

The mountains are beautiful in any season! I love the mix of rain/sun and that last sunset photo is so nice. Hope the Autumn colors are vivid this year.

From the Kitchen said...

I've just spent my early morning in the Smokey Mountains and the Colorado mountains thanks to you and Pat! How beautiful in both areas. We have no mountains here in the midwest but the colors are beautiful.

Best,
Bonnie

Big Dude said...

Great shots as always Betsy and a thrill to see the deer. I can't imagine anyone who enjoys the mountains more than you guys.

Jo said...

Oh Betsy, I love the sunbeams and the smokiness of the Smokey Mountains. Thank for sharing this beauty with us. Blessings Jo

linda m said...

I love the sunbeam picture and I really love the picture of you sitting on the bench looking up at George with loving eyes. You are so blessed

Out on the prairie said...

I was at my daughters wedding all weekend up north and the colors were great. Lovely selection here.

Linda G. said...

I saw and liked many of these photos on Facebook. I like reading your blog posts for the full story. We went for a motorcycle ride yesterday afternoon. I took only my iPhone camera with me, as I wasnt much interested in taking pictures, after photographing for 10 hours at a wedding the day before! I wish I had my camera with me, around my neck, while on the motorcycle though. An eagle flew up out of a body of water and over a bridge, low, right in front of us! I would have loved to capture that picture! both you and George enjoy your week. I am looking forward to seeing your Autumn blog posts.

Beatriz said...

Your Tennessee is wonderful, and you always surprising us with these lovely images.....
Light rays entering softly in the forest are something fantastic!
The little fawn reminded me Bamby, so cute!

A lovely week for you :-)

Hugs Bia

MTWaggin said...

What a fun trip that was and packed jammed full of great scenery. So glad you shared.

George said...

Your 'hodge podge' contains many beautiful photos. It was a marvelous day.

Connie said...

Breathtaking photos, Betsy! It is so beautiful there.

Betsy said...

It looks as though you hada wonderful day in the mountains. Your love for the area shows in your pictures but I think my favorite is the one of the two of you. You are an example of love for one another to me.
Blessings,
Betsy

Liene said...

There are so many sides to the Smokies, looks like you saw quite a few of them on your trip! The fall colors right about now should be marvelous...

Anonymous said...

The light and scenery are just beautiful.

Fun60 said...

I love the big skies in many of your photos.

Fun60 said...

I love the big skies in many of your photos.

Fun60 said...

I love the big skies in many of your photos.

Linda Kay said...

The sunbeams and the puffy clouds are my favorites. The Smokies is a great place to visit.

Sylvia K said...

Such beautiful mountains, lovely skies and what a great place to spend time!! Wonderful captures for the day -- any day, Betsy! They're the next best thing to being there and I would love to be there!! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty and the fun!! Have a great week!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

My favorites are the awesome puffy clouds! And the glorious sun rays, they can be hard to capture, but your shot is so beautiful! They are lighting up the dark forest. Your header is beautiful!!!

Terry and Linda said...

Love the rain chutes and the sunbeams!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

David said...

Betsy, Beautiful mountain overview photos! Love the rays of the sun in that one picture... We have lots of semi-tame deer in our community. No hunting plus misguided but well meaning souls with salt blocks and food for the deer equals lots of very placid critters! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Shug said...

Hey there Besty.....I sure noticed some gorgeous sunbeams in a few of these photos....Every single picture displays such peaceful surroundings...This is so wonderful. I can only imagine these same places in the month of October!! Those pictures will be full of color...
Can't wait!! hugs

Latane Barton said...

I love those mountains and how cute you and George are together. Good times, for sure.

BB said...

Hi Betsy & George! These photos are stunning. The Smoky Mountains are truly beautiful and I loved the variations in the sky/clouds photos. Amazing shots and so good to see you both with big smiles! Love is a great thing..Hugs XX

Jim and Sandie said...

I just love those cloud pictures. And I love the Hodge-podge. I'm going to have to remember that for a blog title some day.

A Colorful World said...

Oh Betsy! Gorgeous shots of the mountains, as usual! Love the sunbeams and the rain clouds! Can't wait to see some of the same scenes again with the fall color!

pam said...

Love those Smokies! We just got back from a trip to Gatlinburg - mostly hanging with family, but it was so nice to see all the mountains!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

oh, i love the shot with all the light rays.

i wonder why you didn't show up on my bloglovin feed. nuts!! i found the post through George's blog ... he just commented on my blog. he has not posted yet this week.

what a fun trip. i love the smoky mtns. such a gorgeous area. one of my favs for sure.

i am shocked that October is here at the end of the week. so silly. crazy even. it will Christmas before we know. ( :

Arkansas Patti said...

I really liked your hiking companions the best. They are so pretty and to have been so close had to have been special.
Someday I hope to visit the Smoky Mts. and not be in a time crunch so I can take my time and enjoy.

Kay said...

I sure would love to see those Smokey Mountains, but since I can't I'll enjoy them through your lens.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Oh I just love those sunbeam!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Beautiful whether sunny or rainy. All the photos made me smile because I could see the LOVE in your photos. That sunset is spectacular!

Small City Scenes said...

I loved every step of the way with you two. The clouds are fantastic. I love clouds---all kinds!Love the rays through the trees. Thanks for sharing.
MB

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy, these are wonderful! #12 is my favorite shot, but the others are wonderful, too!

Chatty Crone said...

What a wonderful time in the Smokies!!! Hey my favorite picture was of YOU! You look great.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Great pictures - I like the deer best. I have never seen any deer here in FL in the year and a half I have lived here. There are deer just not many (too many folks). Have a wonderful day tomorrow!

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

The Smokies are beautiful! You got some really great pictures.

The Furry Gnome said...

Some wonderful pictures of your day in the mountains!

LV said...

One could never tire of seeing your wonderful photos of the great places and sights you have traveled. I love it and glad you both can enjoy life in this manner.

Ruth Hiebert said...

The clouds make the these pictures extra special.You know I'm a sky watcher and love all the beauty to be seen there.The Smokey Mountains are gorgeous.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I enjoyed seeing your visit with family in Texas on facebook, Betsy and these photos from the great Smokey Mountains are gorgeous. The photo of the sunlight beams in the forest could win a prize! I alos love the last photo of you and George--so sweet!

Joyful said...

What beautiful photos. It certainly looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Peaches McGinty said...

Hi Betsy!
Where did September go haha? but then we do get the joy of the changing seasons, and your beautiful photo's of the Smokey mountains (which are so beautiful) - I always think there is something so spiritual about sunbeams, I always feel better for seeing them and pics of you and George, I hope you are having a wonderful week x x x

Our photos said...

Very nice ! I love the sunbeams !

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

I love those mountains. I still recall my trips to Cherokee and Gatlinburg. It is a lovely area.
Your photos of you and George always grab my attention because you dress alike, something we did many years ago.
And that you were followed by a doe and her little one is too cute.

Sharon said...

Wow, that new bridge at Chimney Tops trailhead ia very different than the old one. It was nice & wide! Gotta stop by see it soon.

Kay said...

You guys are lovely and loving. I love those photos of you and of the Smokies. Totally gorgeous! The sunbeams really captured my attention.

Linda said...

So so pretty! I love the Smokies!

Jeevan said...

Wow! The weathers seems to be amazing carrying different climate mode altogether. The overlooking was simply breathtaking with clouds formation and rain. Cute encounter with doe and fawn :)