Grotto Falls --in the Smokies

My youngest son has lost alot of weight --and I'm so proud of him. He and his children have been doing some hiking now that he is getting healthy again. I was telling him some of the hikes that George and I have taken in the Smokies.

One hike which we loved was to GROTTO FALLS. Grotto is more like a waterfall for the 'locals' rather than the tourists. For some reason, this one is not listed in the 'waterfalls to visit' while in the Smokies (like Rainbow, Laurel, Abrams, etc.). BUT--this is a really nice hike and waterfall.

The Grotto Fall hike is located off of the Roaring Fork Motor Trail (above Gatlinburg). Undoubtedly named for the recess behind the descent, this waterfall hurtles 25 feet over a sandstone escarpment along Roaring Fork. A short side path allows access to the 'grotto'. This is an enjoyable 1.2 mile hike (one way) to this waterfall. George and I loved this hike and recommend it, not just to Jeff, but to anyone visiting the Smokies.

Here are some pictures from the 2007 hike which we took to Grotto Falls. Above is a picture of the waterfall. For anyone who thinks that a good camera doesn't make a difference ---WELL---it surely does. These pictures are okay, but nothing like they would look if we had have taken them with our new cameras. But--you'll get the idea. Below are more photos from Grotto Falls!

I always enjoy sitting on the rocks near a waterfall. This day was no exception. It makes me YEARN for good health again, so that I can hike soon.

George gets up close and personal with the waterfall.

Look who is standing BEHIND the waterfall!!!! That water felt pretty good on a warm, spring day in 2007.

Now George is hiking around on the rocks (He hikes; I sit--ha) getting more and more pictures.

Here's one last picture of GROTTO FALLS... I've said this before, but we enjoy hiking where there aren't many other people. This hike was perfect!!!! We recommend it ---and if I can get healthy, maybe we can go back there sometime!!!!

Thanks for all of the kind words about my knee surgery. I am feeling MUCH better today, so maybe I've turned the corner!!!! I certainly hope so!

Hugs,

Beauty All Around

While I recuperate from knee surgery, I will show you some of the beautiful things all around me --which have helped keep my spirits up. Above is one of my new hanging baskets given to me on Mother's Day by my son, Jeff. It's VERBENA and is really putting on a show for me. Below are more 'beauties'.

This is the other hanging basket that Jeff gave me on Mother's Day. It is FUCHSIA and is also blooming like crazy... I've enjoyed see these two hanging baskets SO much.

I can see these beauties from the house --while looking out toward the road. This is one of my favorite roses, VETERAN'S HONOR --showing off for ME. It is in the new flowerbed near the road. George brought one of the blooms inside for me to enjoy.

Here is another of my favorite roses, DOUBLE DELIGHT. George also brought one of these into the house just for me to smell.

These two lilies are new this year, and are called LOLLY POP. They are also in the new flowerbed next to the road. Aren't they pretty?

This is another new lily in our yard this year. Since I love all RED flowers, I just had to show him to you. His name is MONTENEGRO.

And---last but definitely not least, look at this 'beauty'.... I have waited so long to see a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER come to our deck to the suet feeder. We have lots of woodpeckers, but this gorgeous one has only recently begun coming to the feeder. I was so excited to finally get a picture of him.

About my knee surgery, the good news is that the knee is healing nicely and the swelling and bruising has gone down. AND--there is not much pain, and I can walk some on that leg. However, I don't know if it is the medication (which I am no longer taking) --or if I picked up a 'bug' at the hospital. But I have been horribly sick to my stomach, very weak, and running a fever for the past couple of days. I felt a little better yesterday afternoon---so I am glad that I could do this post for you. However, I have done no computer work all weekend --and don't know when I'll get back to normal. Please be patient with me --and pray for me to be patient (which is hard--ha) while I continue to recover. Hopefully, I'll be be feeling much better very soon.

Hugs,