It was such a pretty drive but it was pretty obvious I was on the wrong path.
White and yellow trillium flowers were pushing up through the ground all over the place.
Just a short walk from my campsite, I came across this beautiful swimming hole with small waterfalls running into it. Although it was tempting to jump in, I was alone and afraid I'd go hypothermic and not be able to get out.
A ghostly moon shining through the trees. So very exciting for me to be here, close to the earth, trees, water, mountains and sky.
That would be me at Big Creek, freezing cold but happy!
It rained for several days and I stayed around camp, sitting by the fire, resting and drinking tea. Then I got this inspiration to hike up to Midnight Hole. The trail started right at the campground and so I just walked up the trail in the rain. It was all very refreshing, fun and full of life.
Met lots of folks also walking in the rain. All very nice people who stopped to talk along the way. One lady was just as excited as me and was taking pictures of everything, especially the flowers.
The Midnight Hole turned out to be this gorgeous swimming hole!
A family of six arrived just before me and were getting ready to jump in the pool. Sure enough everyone but the dad jumped in, and you can bet it was freezing cold.
It seems everywhere I look, I see white, pink, magenta and lavender flowering trees. So pretty.
On Easter Sunday I packed all my gear and drove to the opposite end of the park. The views from the highway were phenomenal!
On another rainy day I hiked up to Laurel Falls. Three golden leaves of autumn were still holding on, refusing to let go; sometimes I get that way and find it hard to let go of one place and move on to the next. I find myself grumbling and whining until I get settled in again. Such a sissy girl!
Tall skinny trees on the trail up to the falls.
That would be me standing in front of the falls in my turquoise tennis shoes. Its very wet and slippery up there and I saw 4 people slip and fall flat on their backsides. Not good when there is a huge cliff directly in front of me that goes straight down to another waterfall.
Huge swallowtail butterflies exploded on the scene near the river. It was the strangest thing. Random blue, gray and brown butterflies mixed in with the swallowtails, crowding around this one certain spot on the rocks near the river.
A crazy place on the Little River called the Sinks. I stopped here early one morning on my way to Cades Cove. Had the place to myself, which was really quite nice.
Looking out over a large grassy meadow in Cades Cove, an old farming community that was established in 1830. When the park was established in 1934, the families had to move out and the area and farms were preserved. Its sad but that's how a lot of the parks were established.
An original grist mill built by John F Cable over 140 years ago. The mill and wheel are still in good working condition.
The wooden flume led down to the mill where it dumped a load of water onto the top of the mill wheel to power the whole operation.
I watched this guy run the mill, grinding the corn into cornmeal, packing it in bags, and keeping everything moving smoothly. It was amazing.
Don't you wish you could run like that? Well Lindsay and Cara probably could, but most likely we wouldn't be able to match up!
John Oliver came to the Cove and bought the land in 1826. His home remained in the family for over 100 years until the park was established. The house is awesome and has a beautiful stone chimney. You can go inside, climb up the stairs and see the large upstairs room where most of the family would have slept.
Oliver chose the most beautiful sight to build his home. So peaceful and inspiring. I wanted to stay there all day and just chill.
An old Methodist church built in 1902. When I walked in the church it was filled to the brim with a group of photographers climbing over the pews, yelling back and forth to each other and all trying to get the best shots. Every time I walk in a church, it feels sacred to me, so I quietly walked to the front and sat down in the pew. In the quietness of my heart, I talked to God, and sure enough the photographers left the building, one by one, until I was alone in quiet, peaceful contemplation.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name." Psalm 103:1
This was one of the strangest barns I have ever seen. Its called a cantilever barn and provided shelter for animals, lofts for drying hay, as well as a storage place for large machinery. Pretty clever if you ask me. Good night to one and all. May God bless you and keep you safe.