GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES DAY TWO

Jorge and I decided to go to Cades Cove Loop.

It's an 11 mile trip where we saw many

log homes from the original settlers of the area.

The drive was absolutely beautiful.

We met a couple from North Carolina that were

celebrating their 30th anniversary just like us!

We had a wonderful time talking with them.

As we drove home, Jorge wanted to stop

at Zaxby's in Sevierville for a chocolate shake.

We ended up having dinner there.

Sadly, we weren't impressed with the meal.

Jorge did like his shake.

We made our way back to our cabin

going through Pigeon Forge.  

One thing I do have to say about

this place is that it is very family oriented.

There are lots of attractions geared just for families.

 John Oliver's home.  He and his wife were the first

white settlers in the area.

 Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church established June 16, 1827.

 An old Methodist church.

 Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church established 1839.

 Elijah Oliver's home.  He was the son of John Oliver.

Before we started our trek on Cades Cove,

we spoke with one of the rangers and she told us

that bears love coolers because of the taste they have.

It's sweet to them.  Go figure.

This pitcher was destroyed by a bear.

 King Kong at Pigeon Forge.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES

My husband and I planned to celebrate our

30th anniversary in September instead of August

because of the heat.  We remember how

hot it was when we got married 30 years ago.

We chose our destination to be Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

 The cabin that Jorge and I are staying in.

We were told that black bears are in the area.

The garbage cans are in bear proof cages.

 Our anniversary dinner.

Steaks, salad, rolls, and wine.

Brownies for dessert.  

We have to have chocolate.

 On Sunday, Jorge and I were on our way to church.

I'm so glad I had my camera ready because out came a bear cub.

I saw the second cub rolling down in front of our car.

Jorge had not seen him and I told him to stop.

They both rambled on but we didn't stop or come out

because we did not see momma bear and we didn't want to see her either.

Jorge and I went to church in Gatlinburg.  

We learned that this church was formed in the

early 1800's on Baskins Creek.  It was moved

to its present location in 1991.

 Not very often do you see signs like this.

 Jorge and I asked a local which restaurant we should go for dinner.

He told us that to go to Riverstone Restaurant.

Boy was he ever right!  The food was delicious.

The restaurant is located in Townsend, Tennessee.

 Look who Jorge and I bumped into but Santa Claus!

He was awesome!  He said he was on vacation

before Christmas came.  

 Jorge and I are Clingman's Dome, the highest point of the Smokies.

You can see why they're called the Smokies.

Sunset.

How do we end our evening?

We go to Starbucks and we have coffee.

QUILT JUST FOR ME!

The last several weeks I've been really

busy making quilts for other people.

To be perfectly honest,

I've reached quilt burnout!

When I finally understood the warning signals,

I took a break and decided to make something for myself.

I made a small quilt for myself.  

The blocks measure 3" finished.

Taking the break was exactly what I needed.

All I need to do now is just finish quilting

the borders and put on the binding

and I will be done.

This will be one of the few

quilts that I will actually keep for myself.