Cade's Cove, Tennessee

Sunday afternoon, we made an impromptu visit to Cade's Cove in Tennessee.

Autumn Mountain Colors

Many people this time of year are so exicted about the fall colors. Fall Photography really adds interest.... We all want to know: Where is the best color? When will it be here in my area?

Here are some random links for this year's foilage:

Why do leaves change color?

Blue Ridge Blog

Great Autumn Drives

Visit Waterfalls

Enjoying the Cataloochee

The blog post is a week over-due...but at least it's up! So, the Sunday after Lake Junaluska, my parents came to Wanyesville! We had some good BBQ {thanks Ben and the local travel channel)and then we headed to the Cataloochee Valley. Our friend Tammy told us about the elk you could spot near evening time. Me being the photography weird-o of the family, Ben being all up for an adventure and my parents being up for anything "as long as we can spend time together" - we drove the winding mountain roads....WORTH IT!

Here's a bull elk keeping watch over the cows and calves grazing in the field. So the park ranger people were all along the road and kept saying "keep your car between you and elk"...YEAH RIGHT! I figured I could out run 'em...or maybe not...but it was worth getting good shots....

This cow was sooo beautiful grazing beside the road. Obviously a park ranger saw her before we did and was on the opposite side of the road, ready to tell me to stay in the car. Poor daddy who was driving...with my abrupt orders to pull forward and back up...I wanted this shot!

We LOVE history.... This is the "Caldwell House." The Caldwell House was completed in 1906 and featured wooden interior paneling "imported" from Waynesville, NC, about 25 miles away. I was a little disheartened when I saw the vandelism and throughout the structure. In times like these as a photographer, I'd rather people not have the permission to tour such a piece of mountain history....although.....

.....this window upstairs was quite a beauty. I loved the light.....

Here is my family....Daddy; In the middle is my assistant, aka: "momma" She was gracious enough to lag around my ugly Canon bag with lenses and accessories; .... And, so glad Ben's feeling better!

My sweet (and cooperative) parents: I took this photo (yes, it was a set-up) in the old barn across from the Caldwell House.

THERE'S where I get my dimples!

Beech Grove School

A view of the Smokies.....

We got out of my dad's SUV so that mom and I can hike up to the old school and there's this car (is it a Dodge Dynasty?) parked beside the road. Ben says, "Honey! I used to have a car like this!" Not surprising...he always had a Grandpa Car and still would....In a couple years, I want a MINI VAN!

Our next BIG adventure together: THE BEACH!

Coming October 4th

{pain relief}

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

We stopped at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park on the way in last Friday morning. It was beautiful, although the skies looked like they would open up with rain. Always a treat to go back the falls! Here, I added texture to the print above...

Mill Springs, Kentucky Civil War Battlefield

Ben and I enjoyed a 3-4 day weekend in Kentucky as we left around 6:45 Friday morning. We made a stop by Cumberland Falls on the way in and met my parents and my darling 9 year-old cousin, Christopher, at King Buffet in Somerset (a favorite Chinese Restaurant).

I planned a trip to Mill Springs Civil War Battlefield on Saturday for Christopher, Ben and me. Momma stayed back at home and dad was working at an auction. Mill Springs is only about 20 minutes from my parent’s house, so I thought it would be fun, educational for Chris and a great photo-op. Not to mention, I found out earlier in the week that the Historical Society was hosting 'Living History Weekend' with lots of bonuses just at the right time for us.

The beautiful rolling hills of the area seemed to put you back in another time with the soldiers dressed in period attire, canon-fire on the hour and the gravesite markers of the men who gave their life for such a cause. It was so very humbling, I love history.

When I took this photo of the landscape, I felt like Infrared was the way to go, it adds a crisp ambiance. It just works here.

One man, in particular, was the fellow who explained all the happenings, history and process to those of us who came to watch. He explained the difference in canon shells and even said that many people who dwell in the battlefield area found live shells that just didn’t go off. These people have been using them as door stops and décor for years, not knowing what they were. Each time a canon would fire, he would tell us, “Put your fingers in your ears and open your mouth!”

I think the highlight of the day was when we got to go down to the field where the 'soldiers' were firing the canons. The men were very happy when Ben and Christopher volunteered to help load the canon. Christopher was a fast learner for his job and Ben had long arms to get the inside of the canon cleaned quickly and efficiently. Chris was such a little gentleman. We love being with him. Thank heavens the time of the Civil War didn't involve my husband, father or loved ones. We don't realize sometimes....those grave markers could have been our men.

The Sun Shines Bright on my Old Kentucky Home...

Just recently have I started using this blog as a journal to everyday/week activities....but I feel compelled tonight. Tomorrow morning, Ben and I are leaving again for Kentucky! I'm so very excited to go home 2 weekends in a row! Have a great weekend, all!

Time for Lunch!

In Kentucky, food is not a necessity, it's a way of life. When Ben and I arrived at my parent's house in Russell Springs around 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning, we found an array of goodies already on the kitchen table. We slept in till mid-morning and Momma said, "Hay, ya'll! Let's go to Sulphur Well!" This could only mean the equivalent or comparison at least of North Carolina's Shatley Springs. Country Ham. Red-Eye Gravy. Home-Made biscuits. All the down home foods from your Grandmother's you could think of.

So....we finally got up and made the nearly 1 hour trek to "The Lighthouse Restaurant" in Sulphur Well, Kentucky. I had been there many times growing up, as it was a family & church favorite place to crave our hunger. Down the winding country roads, over the rolling bluegrass hills and there it was! If you're ever in the area hungry, call my dad....he'll gladly give you directions and undoubtedly accompany you to one of the greatest restaurants in the state.

I love this old house. There's something about it that makes me wonder about the family who first lived there. They must have loved their home in the Kentucky hills.....



















This is the beautiful creek that runs right through Sulphur Well, Kentucky. This is just across the road from Lighthouse Restaurant at the Roadside Park I remember playing at as a child!

A Kentucky Weekend! Home at last...

Here is my darling Daddy! I miss him sooo much! It's always such a joy to be back home with parents! God truly blessed me with such a wonderful father!

Charlotte on a Beautiful Saturday

Ben I and left early in the afternoon for Charlotte (about a 45 minute drive from home) and I can honestly say, I love the city! Being a country girl from rural Kentucky, I found a new appreciation for the architecture, patterns, beautiful city streets lined with blooming flowers and trees. Although time started slipping away from us, I snapped as many photos as I could (again I left my tripod at home :(! )


We had to travel just across town to CPCC for a Cockman Family concert at 6:30 pm http://www.toscomusicpart.org/ Even as we were leaving town around 8:30, I would have loved to have kept walking and photogging. Can't wait for a free day to find more Charlotte surprises....