Black Mountain Overlook

There is a mountain near us named Black Mountain. George and I have visited there many times since we moved to the plateau in 2003. The road up the mountain is paved--but very steep and narrow. We pray that we won't meet another car going the other direction when we drive there. Yesterday-we had the entire area to ourselves which was nice!!!


Once on the top, there is a great trail all around the area (about 1.7 miles) which we enjoy hiking. There are two overlooks --but one of them has too many trees in front, which prevent a good view. The other overlook, definitely our favorite, is a series of large rocks on the top of the mountain where there is a great view. We enjoy just sitting at that overlook enjoying the countryside below us.


Yesterday was a sunny day on the mountain but there was a cold wind blowing --which made it feel as if the temperature was in the low 30's. Brrrrrrr!!!! Even though we were dressed appropriately, we didn't stay on that overlook as long as we usually do. Besides, it was getting late and George didn't want to drive down that narrow mountain road after dark!


Here are some pictures taken yesterday from Black Mountain. Above is a great picture --as the sun began to set. Isn't that gorgeous???? More pictures are below.



I snapped the picture above of George while on the overlook. Great picture, huh?



Even though we enjoyed a clear day, by the time we hiked around the mountain and got to this overlook (pictured above), it was hazy and beginning to get dark. So the view, although pretty, is not as clear as pictures we've taken in past. But--even late on a winter afternoon, this still is a beautiful place.

A Waterfall RAINBOW

Since we enjoyed going to Ozone Falls on Wednesday, George and I got back out yesterday to check for more waterfalls---after all of our recent rains. We first checked out Wildcat Falls (near Sparta, TN)---and saw water coming over that waterfall for the first time since we started checking it. YEAH!!!


Then we drove down to Fall Creek Falls to check out the waterfalls there. For some reason, we just cannot stay away from that place! WELL---this time we saw something we have never seen before: Cane Creek Falls with a RAINBOW coming out of the mist. Isn't that just incredible???? Since there had been so much rain and because there was SO much water and spray, a combination of that spray and the bright sunlight created a beautiful rainbow. Actually, there was a DOUBLE Rainbow!!!! I was so excited--but needed a wide lens on my camera in order to get the total effect since we were above the falls at an overlook. The picture above shows part of the waterfall on the left and the rainbows on the right. Wish you could have seen this in person. It was truly awesome!!!



I just had to show you the above close-up of the rainbows. They were absolutely gorgeous!



I included the picture above of the cascades at Fall Creek Falls because I wanted to show you how close George gets to the falls in order to take pictures!!!!! "Mercy Honey---please be careful!!!!!"



I know you didn't want to see MORE pictures of our waterfalls (ha), so I'll show you other things we enjoy at Fall Creek Falls. We probably saw 15 deer altogether throughout the large park! I heard the deer in the picture above saying: "Hey Lady, this is my home. Go away!" ha ha



Fall Creek Falls is an area filled with beautiful gorges (canyons) and mountains. It is known as the Grand Canyon of Tennessee. George took the picture above of these mountain ranges. I love the shadows. Can you tell that winter is one of our favorite seasons to be out in nature????? There weren't many people around so the park became OURS. Like I said, it's truly awesome!!!!


And finally, there is one more special picture from Fall Creek Falls---but it is on GEORGE'S blog!!!! Something in the sky followed us around, and all the way home!!!! Check it out!!!