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| George, Neal and Patti at McCloud Mountain, July 5, 2017 |
Our good friends, Neal and Patti, were visiting family in north Tennessee recently ---so we drove up toward that area on July 5 to see them and have lunch with them at a new restaurant on top of the mountain near Duff, Tennessee (which Neal had read about and wanted to try). Even though this area is only about two hours from our home, George and I had never been there... WOW--what a neat place!!!!
We drove UP UP UP the mountain to a small private resort on top of McCloud Mountain... It is conveniently called the McCloud Mountain Restaurant and Lodge (since there are rooms available for lodging).... For more information about this little resort, click
HERE.
When we left home, it was a very drizzly and foggy morning... AND--the fog got worse as we drove up that mountain... BUT--we were so happy to see our Indiana friends for a few hours... We all decided to eat lunch first and then hope that the fog would lift (which it DID)....
The restaurant was nice and we all had Bison Burgers for lunch (delicious)... As we always do when together, we talked and talked --all the time watching that fog gradually disappear... After lunch, we went outside and took pictures around the facility.
Then we drove to check out the Chimney Skywalk.... Nature provided a chain of 32 'chimneys' forming a chain --and then they built a walkway over them... Nature is SO amazing!!!!!
Today I'll share pictures from that day with friends... Hope you enjoy them... There's nothing better than being with good friends at a beautiful setting....
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| The Restaurant with a VIEW (when it's not foggy) on McCloud Mountain; I loved seeing the big Cross which is lit at nights --and can be enjoyed by folks in the valley below. |
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| Neal and George --both with cameras in hand (of course)!!!! ha |
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| More of the facilities on McCloud Mountain; The views from these lodge rooms would be marvelous! |
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| Some of the viewing areas near the restaurant and lodge |
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| A view of the valley below (once the fog lifted); Taken from the area pictured above --near the restaurant; |
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| I told George that I wanted that house built on stilts hanging out over the edge of the cliff!!!! (NOT REALLY!!! Ha) |
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| A view from inside the restaurant (all decorated for the 4th of July--even though it was the 5th when we were there) |
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| I loved this "Patriotic Tree" in the restaurant --all decorated in colors of red/white/blue. |
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| As the skies continued to clear, we drove to see the Chimney Skyway. By now the views were becoming better and better... |
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| This happy lady was thrilled to be here! |
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| I was amazed seeing all of these natural 'chimneys'---32 of them altogether! Some of these formations were between 100 and 250 feet high.... Isn't Nature just amazing? |
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| Oh--- those gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains!!! AND--that handsome man enhances the views, don't you think? |
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| How creative is this deck rail???? Both Patti and I noticed this and were pleased to see them build it this way... Have you ever seen this done like this before? I loved it. |
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| We heard a train whistle in the distance from the Skywalk Overlook.. Once I spotted the train, I pulled out my LONG lens and got a fairly good picture from WAY down in that gorge... |
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| One more picture of our fantastic friends on a great day in Tennessee |
Hope you enjoyed our pictures for this wonderful little Day Trip... This would be an awesome place to visit ANYTIME of year --but especially in Autumn.... Hmmmm--maybe a trip back up there!!!!
Have an awesome week, my Friends.
Hugs,
I think I have discovered you and George's secret to a long and happy life...you two are always, always, ALWAYS smiling.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are so inspiring. I think the cure for just about any ailment is just being honestly HAPPY.
Thanks for sharing that with me...and I am sure others feel the same.
Love the scenery at this place-will have to check it out. Have a blessed day!
What a neat place to meet up with friends. Love the views. Although the view from the house on stilts would be amazing I don't know that I would want to live in one.
ReplyDeleteWOW, I can almost feel being there. What wonderful views. If I drive 2 hours north of here, it is still 'flat' lands. Boring! You have so much to see and enjoy up there.
ReplyDeleteLove your header picture ~ Happy Summer ~ FlowerLady
Looks like a great place to visit with some really scenic views. I don't know how you find these places.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful spot! The view there is gorgeous. How nice that you got to meet with your friends there for lunch and a visit.
ReplyDeleteYou got some great photos, especially considering the fog for most of the day. It was a great place to meet Patti and Neal, and I wouldn't mind going back again some time.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, Another place for us to visit! Very attractive place with great views and a walkway over those chimneys that's my style of hiking. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome place; I'll have to put that on my bucket list. Nothing better than spending time with friends.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are awesome - I feel I have been there - I think I remember you visiting them before. Love the two 'love birds' Betsy and George!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a great time with your friends, Betsy! And the resort with its magnificent views sounds like a perfect place to visit. The Chimney Skywalk must be amazing and the fog on the website sounds awesome also, a taste of what it's like to live among the clouds.
ReplyDeleteI keep telling my hubby we need to get out of the Chicago area and move to Tennessee! Thanks for sharing, I really enjoyed reading this and would love to go to TN! Take care, hugs!
You clearly had a great day in the beautiful place. Love all the photos!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't live in that house on stilts out here, but I would back there. Very nice you and George got together with your friends.
You always take the most beautiful photos. I love seeing and reading about your joy in life. You are truly an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing with us all.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Betsy
You did discover a neat spot to add to your list of places to return to.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your pictures and blog post are wonderful! That looks like a good place to spend some time. Would like to see the views in the Fall!
ReplyDeleteSuch a neat place and it is relatively close so you can visit again and try that cliff hanging house:)) Can't imagine getting a restful nights sleep in that one.
ReplyDeleteSo glad the weather cleared up for you so you could enjoy the marvelous views. The beauty of meeting such good friends there is even if the weather hadn't cleared, you would still have had a good time.
Yes, the railing is something new to me, and very artistically different. Your pictures are marvelous! But I would have been throwing up long ago. You must have a wonderful vestibular system!! I have never heard of this place! You DO know how to find them! I need to give you the nickname of Betsy Kenieval.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a marvellous place! I posted some day lily shots tonight; sorry I'm not as good with the names as you are.
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy, of course i am fascinated with all your photos, but mostly the structures and area you've been. How amazing they build their resort on top of that boulder structures. I am so envious, so thanks for the tour. I would love to ride that train to see the wonderful surroundings in going up there! How so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a gem of a place. I have to ask, did Neal behave himself this time? LOL
ReplyDeleteHi there Betsy, sure enjoyed these pictures! What beautiful mountain views!! Aren't they just GORGEOUS and so magnificent and BIG!!? Love looking at them. That is a nice overlook to pose on and take pictures on. So neat you were able to get the train too! That restaurant reminds me of one we used to go to, they had such delicious country food--cornbread and pinto beans and gravy and pork chops... and lots of great sweet tea! And views just the same. I dont like driving on the mountains in the fog though, so glad it lifted for y'all in time
ReplyDeletehi there. you would enjoy my post this week, the hubby and i went to Hershey gardens, in Hershey PA. over the Memorial day weekend. not to hot and so many amazing awesome roses and other blooms. stop by if you get a moment. hope & George are well .. looks like your friends are look great. glad you have a chance to be with them again. take care. stay cool. so hot & humid around here in VA, wishing for fall cooler temps. big big hugs. ( ;
ReplyDeleteFriends, food, and amazing scenery. It doesn't get much better than that, does it? :)
ReplyDeleteYes Nature is so Amazing! and I am glad you capture some of it in your photos. The mountain resort is pretty. I agree that house needs stilts lol. Gorgeous views
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed a beautiful area! I'm glad you and George had a nice visit with your friends and the fog lifted so you could see the amazing scenery. Stay well and stay cool...it's so very hot here right now. 106 degrees heat index...whew! Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy!
ReplyDeleteWhat view from that lodge!!! I can imagine that place so beautiful in the summer and even in the winter time!
By the way, I would love this house on the rocks, huh!
Hugs from Brazil
Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com
Wow, spectacular place!
ReplyDeleteThose overlooks are really amazing. What a fun time!
ReplyDeleteDear Betsy, thanks so much for showing us a photo of the porch railing. How creative! When you first mentioned "chimneys" I wasn't sure what you were talking about. So I was glad to see the photographs that showed so plainly what chimneys in rock are!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be with friends. Gathering with loved ones bring forth great gratitude in me. Peace.
Wow - the scenery is just fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see your happy smiling faces in many of your photographs ...
ReplyDeleteThe views are marvellous, what a great trip.
All the best Jan
Always good to see these smiling faces! Such beautiful views!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome place. The view of the mountains is magnificent.
ReplyDelete