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Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to AUGUST, my favorite month. My header picture this month shows some gorgeous CASA BLANCA Lilies blooming in our yard. God's Blessings to YOU for an awesome month.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Cumberland Gap, TN


When George and I first went to Cumberland Gap last weekend, the first place we stopped was the Visitor Center. That is where we picked up lots of information about the area. Above is a picture taken at the Visitor Center. Below are more.



Here's one more picture from the Visitor Center. I love the little building and of course, the split-rail fence.




We drove to the historical section of Cumberland Gap, the downtown area. We didn't go in this store, but I would have enjoyed visiting the General Store I'm sure.




I loved seeing this beautiful old home... I'm not sure what it is used for now --but it looks like a special place!!!!! I'll ask my special friends NEAL and/or his sister ROSE if they know the history of this home. (Neal and Rose grew up in Cumberland Gap.)



Do you see the rocks sticking out at the top of this mountain---WAY up there???? That's where we were and where the last 3 posts were taken, the PINNACLE.




Another view of the Pinnacle ---taken from below the mountain at Cumberland Gap, TN; Cumberland Gap, known as the "Gateway to the West", now only has about 250 residents ---and is primarily a tourist town. They say that there is a fabulous restaurant there, named Webb's Country Kitchen. There are also craft shops plus an old-fashioned drug store with soda fountain. We ate at the state park --so didn't have lunch in the Gap, but the next time we go, maybe we will eat at Webb's.

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Here's another picture of our migrating visitor, a Red-breasted Grosbeak. Yesterday's post showed a male Grosbeak, so today, I'll show you a female. I'm so glad they are back!!!!! I always look forward to seeing them.

Have a great Thursday.
Hugs,

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Pinnacle Overlook at Sunset


We were staying at the Pine Mountain State Park Lodge (which is about 10 miles from the Pinnacle).. SO---we hurried through our dinner on Friday night at the lodge restaurant, and headed to the Pinnacle... We 'missed' seeing the sun --as it went down, but we did see a gorgeous sky. Above is a picture of the pink sky ---and the reflections coming from Fern Lake. Isn't that beautiful????? Below are more pictures.




I took this picture through the trees ---and liked it --when I put it on the computer.. It's almost like seeing a beautiful sunset --surrounded by a border!!!




Don't you enjoy seeing pictures at dusk???? From the overlook, we were obviously looking away from the sun ---toward Tennessee and Virginia. Beautiful, huh?




The sky just kept getting prettier and prettier, the darker it got.




Dark...




...Darker...




...DARKEST...

Guess what???? The gate to the Overlook is supposed to be LOCKED at DARK... SO---we finally had to hustle back down that mountain and just hope that the rangers hadn't locked us IN.... I wasn't prepared to sleep in the car overnight... ha ha (Luckily, the gate was still OPEN.)

Hope you enjoyed seeing our pictures from the Pinnacle Overlook. What a fabulous place ---and even though I enjoyed being there in the morning, my favorite time was at sunset... IF we go back sometime. I want to be up there and actually watch the sun go down!!!!! WOW!!!


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We have had visitors to our feeders this week... I love it when the Red-breasted Grosbeaks visit us on their way south for winter. They stop by here in the spring on their way north, and again in the fall, headed south. They are always welcome here... The males have lost much of their brilliant colors when they stop by in the Fall. But--aren't they just such pretty little birds, no matter how much color they have lost????

Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Hugs,