Monday, April 5, 2010

Greetings from Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hello, my friends. Hope you haven’t forgotten me yet. I’m having a wonderful time with my two favorite guys in the world. We began our journey early Friday morning when we headed south on our Road Trip, stopping overnight at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You should know by now how much we enjoy our country’s national parks and it’s a good idea to visit one when you’re passing through, you know.

I mean, if you have the time, that is.

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And I am so glad we had the time for this one. The views were breathtaking and it was just such a good feeling being there. I took the photo above from a little pull-off area along the park road in the TN section.

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Here’s the road we were on, looking just to the left of the view above. The trees up here are nearly beginning to bud, but down below was a different story.

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We hiked to a small waterfall which I’ll share later, and enjoyed some quiet time by the stream here.

Can’t stay long with you this morning, although I’d love to, really I would. We’re off on another adventure as I write this and I just wanted to stop in and say hello.

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And to tell you that we have the best traveling dog. George continues to amaze us with his quiet, patient ways. I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, nonetheless.

I love this dog. Forever and ever.

Love, your friend,

All photos taken with a Nikon D80 and the Nikon DX 18-55 mm lens that came with it.

42 comments:

D.K. Wall said...

Enjoy the park (though George has probably discovered the no dogs on trails rules in the GSMNP). If you get to the East side of the park near Cherokee, wave at us over here in Maggie Valley!

Jen at Cabin Fever said...

You've definitely hit the jack-pot if you've got an amazingly well behaved dog while you travel!

The Smoky Mountains are beautiful! You really lucked out having such a wonderful day while you were there to get that photo of the mountains. Can't wait to see more of your trip!

beth said...

enjoy enjoy enjoy....
and that george....what a sweet love !

Maria said...

You truly bring into reality the saying "it's not the destination but the journey". The pictures are fabulous, continue to enjoy your journey.

Holly said...

*waves hi*

have fun! Thanks for checking in, give George a scritch from all of us here.

Mary said...

Oh my goodness, that looks like an amazing place to visit! Give George a kiss for me -- he's such a sweetie. :)

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Glorious photos - and dog! George looks like he is enjoying the scenery too!!

altar ego said...

We love the GSMNP! My husband and I try to go there every year on our anniversary--we have a favorite B&B there that is the BEST place, and we love to explore different parts of the park each time we go, and enjoy the views. One of these days when I'm in better aerobic shape we'll do some hiking, too.

Glad you're enjoying yourselves, and that George is being so spectacular. Good boy, George!

Jill of All Trades said...

Wonderful pictures and I will only visit through you as the high spots are my downfall. Usually end up in the floorboard of the car.

Daryl said...

Gorgeous country, a friend who lives outside Nashville loves to go to the Smokeys to relax unwind .. someday I am going with her ...

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Looks like you are having a wonderfully, fabulous trip and George looks like the 'model' passenger.

Deb said...

I Love your dog and have never even met him! But George writes very deep FB posts so I guess that is where I've come to love him!

abb said...

Have a blast!

Nurse Nancy said...

Looks like a wonderful time thus far! Enjoy....George looks to be a great traveler like our Hope.

Anonymous said...

The views are indeed breathtaking. Particularly the one of the adoring black and white collie!

CJ xx

Low Tide High Style said...

I'm glad your adventure is going so well! And everyone needs a sweet furry travel companion like George!

Kat :)

The JR said...

It's great that he travels well. My dog Country does not! Whines, gets car sick and fusses.......

Anonymous said...

Dee from Tennessee

Glad y'all are having a pleasant time -- you've went through my neck of the woods. We love our GSMNP. Live an hour away and love to go hiking on some of the little trails but we are more mindful of bears than we have previously
been in the past. Chimney Rocks is one of my fav with wonderful childhood memories. God's creation: amazing! Wishing you a safe and wonderful journey!

JC said...

Gorgeous Photos. I love road trips. My dogs love car rides too.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

It's a gorgeous place to be. Thanks for sharing the pictures, and enjoy the rest of your journey.

Julie Harward said...

It's so sweet that an animal can get into our hearts like he has yours and mine has mine! Beautiful country...this earth is so magnificent isn't it...Come say hi :D

Unknown said...

I LOVE the Smokey Mountains. My mother was from that area so we took many family vacations there - later to return with my own children. We love Gatlinberg! oh - now I am wishing for a vacation too. Enjoy!

JO

www.teensandtriplets.com

From the Old InkWell said...

Been there many times. You were so close, you should have stopped by. :)

tj said...

...Amen! :o)

...And uh, quiet time? Is that what they call it up there in your neck o' the woods? *wink*wink* :o)

...Beautiful photos Kate - Can't wait to see more! Have fun you guys and be safe! :o)

...Happy Trails...

Unknown said...

That is an amazing view. My goodness! And a dog that travels well is priceless!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

What a grand adventure! Be safe and God Speed on your travels.
BTW, you've passed seriously close to Thistle Cove Farm on your way to GSMNP.
I'm off to visit The Thundering Herd as I see she's my next door state of NC neighbor.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Good Golly! You were so close to us, here in the mountains of east Tn! Too bad, Cades Cove is colsed until the end of the May :(

Have a wonderful trip. And don't forget to wave!

misha

Andi said...

I am SO excited for you! One of my most favorite trips in the world was SMNP! In which part of the park are you? North or southern? We saw so many beautiful views!! :) Enjoy the rest of your trip. Hope you see a bear!

Caroline said...

OMG...such gorgeous photos Kate! Those smoky mountains are magical!

A New England Life said...

Beautiful, Kate. Hope you are enjoying your vacation. George is an absolute love.

Anonymous said...

breathtaking, that mountain at dusk/dawn?... just beautiful. And yes, we love that dog too, forever and ever. :-) Sometimes when you've been handed some awful stuff, you're also thrown a ray of light. And he is that.

Shelley Jaffe said...

I can't wait to see more of these, as I have often read about and thought about poking around this mountain range - have you ever read "The Milk Glass Moon" series by Adriana Trigiani? You have captured exactly what I imagined them to be in my mind's eye. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hope all of your vacation is as enjoyable as the Smokies! Plenty of photo ops there for you :)

Linda (GillLink)

Linda said...

I know EXACTLY where you took that second photo! Stood in that very spot myself several times. Only thing is I leave town & you road trip to my neck of the woods! humph! Oh well, enjoy !!

Simply Me said...

Isn't it beautiful in my neck of the woods. You are really in my back yard. I hope you find this area a little piece of heaven and enjoy your visit here.

Inger said...

George's expression says it all...you can just tell what a calm and lovely dog he is. Looks like a gorgeous place to visit too.

Deb said...

looks like a fun trip...enjoy your spring break

Donalyn said...

Glad you guys are having a great time- and that George is probably the second handsomest dog I have ever seen. ;)

Donalyn said...

Glad you guys are having a great time- and that George is probably the second handsomest dog I have ever seen. ;)

GailO said...

...that first photo is breathtaking!

I've been computer-less recently and have not seen your new blog design until today...very nice Kate...I like the three columns and the gorgeous eggshell blue background...Good luck on the ads!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Awww...you are indeed blessed to have George and he you two. Have a safe trip. We were away this weekend as well and I am just now catching up!

Chrissykat said...

What fantastic memories you're making to last a lifetime! Enjoy every second.