Cades Cove camping...

Since we live so close to Cades Cove, we camp there as often as we can get away from the farm.  It's almost addictive, with peaceful, beautiful scenery, a wonderful campground, abundant wildlife (turkey, deer, fox, black bears (with babies, if you're lucky) and of course, the relaxing drive through the cove.  This little settlement was the last area lived in by the original residents before the National Park Service bought the land.  Several of the original cabins, barns and churches still stand.  The cemeteries are full of old headstones, dating back several generations.  On this trip, we took our sweet 3 year old granddaughter (Alayna) for her very first camp outing...for more info: 
 http://www.cadescove.net/camping_cades_cove.html

There's hundreds of miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails too!  I've ridden my mule over several of them and the best word to describe the scenery....breathtaking!!  Creeks, valleys, wildlife, gorgeous flowers, ridges...you see it all!!

Alayna...morning after spending 1st night in tent!  Her first words that morning..."NeeCee, I love this tent & this cot's perfect for me!"  She stayed happy throughout the 4 days...

Uncle Jordan and Alayna, on the porch of the old Tipton place

The old Tipton fireplace was the perfect "frame" for this one!!

Poppa preparing his mouth-watering beef stew (campfire style)!

The old Tipton place

Whether you live nearby or across the country, this is a wonderful place to visit!!

IT'S GONNA GET WARMER, RIGHT??

Well, it was 4* on our porch thermometer this morning...I think the last time it was down to a single digit, was about 4 years ago, while we were living in our horse trailer. Yes, that was our abode for 6 months while we built our house...from July 9 - February 22, 2005...not one of those fancy ones either. We have a Classic fully enclosed aluminum 3 horse slant...very nice for our animals. The front is a dressing room - queen size bed in the gooseneck, room to stand, maybe turn around and get your britches on or off, whatever the situation calls for! Other than that, the only extra is an in-roof air conditioner. Anyhow, we lived for 2 months with NO power or water (hottest part of the summer, of course!), then we dug a well, but showering was done at a campground about 6 miles from here. Oh well, back to the temperature...it was 9* one morning when we woke up and we sure found our clothes in a hurry!! Now today, we're snug as a bug in our little house, but oh, the memories!!
This morning I got up about 7AM and started painting...I finished a pendant, a barn wood sign, a wooden sconce with crows in a tree AND a really cute photo album with a raccoon on the front! I like all of them and I feel like I've accomplished alot today. I guess what they say about idle hands...I'm still looking forward to moving out into the new space any day! I'll be sure to post more pictures when I do!! Checking out now from AWESOME ASS ACRES!