Hiking in the Smokies

George and I took our last hiking trip to the Smokies for awhile... (We stay away from that area during the tourist season as much as possible--due to the traffic and large amounts of people around.)   We had to go to Knoxville for regular Toyota maintenance early on Tuesday,  May 21,  so we just drove the extra distance and went on a 4.3 mile hike.

This time, we first stopped off at the Foothills Parkway for some pictures of these beautiful mountains  before heading on for our hiking trip near Elkmont to Huskey Branch Falls.  Today will be the first set of the pictures from that trip... Hope you enjoy them!!!   Be sure to enlarge them for bigger pictures.

The picture above was taken from the Foothills Parkway near Townsend.  OH how I love these beautiful mountains!!!!!   NOTE those threatening skies... Hmmmmmmm---wonder what that means??????????

George took this photo of me at one of the overlooks on the Foothills Parkway...  As you can see,  I was happy to be there!!!!

Now we are on the path to Huskey Branch Falls... We followed the Little River (shown above) all of the way up the mountain.  This is a fabulous area of the Smokies --and provided us with many photo opportunities.   The last time we were in the Smokies,  the leaves were still not on the trees ---so it was great seeing all of the beautiful new Spring growth.

Here's another picture of me enjoying the Little River.  Since the weather was 'threatening'--we decided to wear our jackets on the trail.   Am I ever glad that we did!!!!!! ha.....  Note also that I'm wearing my camera vest ---which is wonderful.   The camera is always right there in front of me,  but I don't have to carry it,  or struggle with it bobbing back and forth when I walk!!!!!   If you don't have a Camera Vest (or wear a backpack like hubby does),  then I highly recommend this!

Here's a picture of George doing what he loves ----taking pictures using his tripod and his new filter......  

This is a picture of the type of photos George is getting using the new filter... I think they are truly AWESOME...  He can make the water turn to SILK....

Here's one of my 'creative' shots --without tripod and fancy lens.... BUT--I think it turned out pretty good anyhow.  I call it "Swirling Water"...

Finally,  here is a picture  we took of us at the Little River,  using the tripod...  Oh how we love being in the Smokies!!!!  More pictures to come of this 'memorable' hiking experience.....

Hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend.  We did --although it was HOT here (hotter than it usually is this time of year up here on the Cumberland Plateau)..   We got some yard work done and cooked some steaks on the grill on Monday!!!!

Have a fabulous Wednesday.
Hugs,
Betsy

What We SAW while at the BEACH

Last Friday,  I shared with you some of the things that George and I DID while at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, a couple of weeks ago.  If you missed that post,  click HERE.  Today,  I'll share just a few of the MANY things we SAW that week on the beach...

Above is a picture of a STARFISH.   Believe it or not,  this is the first year we have ever seen one.  We always enjoy searching for what we can find along the beach.  I have two HUGE containers of shells we have brought home from our various trips there.  Sharing some of those shells someday in a blog would be fun!!!!  Maybe I'll do that!

We saw lots and lots of shorebirds  (that will also be another blog post sometime).  But--I didn't know who this big guy is.....  There were two of them with a group of gulls --so maybe he is some kind of gull.  BUT--I really don't know.  Could he be an juvenile Gull?????  Anyone know what bird this is?????

Of course,  we saw beautiful waves...  On this day (Wednesday),  the rains were coming --so the ocean was rough and loud!!!!!!  Sometimes,  we'd leave our door open to our room so that we could enjoy hearing the ocean roar... That makes for some great sleeping!

As you have seen in many of our pictures,  we enjoyed walking in and around the fishing pier.   I don't fish --but my Daddy used to LOVE to fish,  and one of my sons and grandsons would love to be here fishing!!!!   I like this particular picture of the pier because of the reflections in the water/sand.... Neat, huh?

Want this little tiny beach house?????   Think that will be big enough for all of your family and friends??????   They are building that tiny house for ME I'm sure as a gift...  When it's completed,  I'll invite you all to come and visit...... (IN MY DREAMS)... ha ha.. (See that pelican up there???)

This is more like it!!!!  Forget the big house----I'll just take the tent!!!!   How 'bout you????

This  is one of George's pictures of the Sand Dunes...  Isn't it great?

Finally,  I'll leave you today with this beautiful CROSS  which we could see on our walks up and down the beach.. The cross was particularly beautiful on Wednesday when the clouds were coming in.

As I've said,  George and I do alot of walking on the beach  all week (so that we can eat that delicious seafood---without gaining the unwanted pounds that can creep up on us!!!)...   We do SEE lots of beautiful things on our walks.   Today  I just shared a sample of some of the things we saw.    Hope you enjoyed our walks!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you next WEDNESDAY.   We are taking Monday off to celebrate Memorial Day.   Hope you have a wonderful holiday ---and remember to thank God for all of those who have died.   OH---the memories we all have of those who have gone before us.  May God rest their souls.

Hugs,
Betsy