Friday, March 4, 2011
End of winter in Tennessee
The days have come to a closing in Tennessee and we are looking forward to moving on. We are going to come home for a while then head to Wisconsin and await the arrival of "baby Slavey" which will "officially" make Cindy a biological grandmother. We are going to be there for 2-3 months then we're not sure where we are heading after that. We had a good time in Tennessee even though the weather was not quite what we were hoping for. I did get the opportunity to catch a number of small-mouth bass ranging from 1 lb. to a nice 4lb.
We decided to come through Ohio and try and visit with David for a couple of days. Rain has settled into Ohio so we are spending our time reading, going to a big mall and walking around, and trying to make our plans for the upcoming summer. We went out to eat this evening (Friday 4th) with David and Shanna and her little boy Jude. We're planning on spending Saturday the 5th with them then heading back to Indiana on Sunday for a couple of weeks. After that we head to Wisconsin to be there for the arrival of the Aaron & Laura's baby.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Snow in Tennessee
The middle of January is here already and we're ready for some warm weather. We talked to several people that live here before heading this way. The consensus were that if (and that is a BIG IF) it snows here, it's here today and gone tomorrow. Well we have had several inches of snow on the ground and we are still waiting for "tomorrow". In all fairness, the people we have talked to, say this has been one of the coldest and snowiest years they can remember. The temps did get up to 49 this past Saturday and melted most of the white stuff away.
We drove into the park yesterday(Sunday, 16th) and enjoyed viewing the park in its snow covered beauty. Actually the park was very busy with people driving around and others, with snow shoes and poles, hiking some of the trails. We were amazed with the amount of traffic coming and going all weekend. The number of vehicles traveling this Highway 66 from I-40 to Gatlinburg is estimated to be over 40,000 cars per day during the summer and fall seasons. That's a pretty large number considering the length is roughly 15 miles.
I getting anxious for the weather to warm back up into the 40's and 50's so I can hit the water and try for that trophy fish. Fishing has been pretty slow this past 2 weeks so I'm more than ready to try and land the big one.
"One who looks for a friend without faults will have none"
We drove into the park yesterday(Sunday, 16th) and enjoyed viewing the park in its snow covered beauty. Actually the park was very busy with people driving around and others, with snow shoes and poles, hiking some of the trails. We were amazed with the amount of traffic coming and going all weekend. The number of vehicles traveling this Highway 66 from I-40 to Gatlinburg is estimated to be over 40,000 cars per day during the summer and fall seasons. That's a pretty large number considering the length is roughly 15 miles.
I getting anxious for the weather to warm back up into the 40's and 50's so I can hit the water and try for that trophy fish. Fishing has been pretty slow this past 2 weeks so I'm more than ready to try and land the big one.
"One who looks for a friend without faults will have none"
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Visit to David's House
The pictures I have posted here were taken before we headed to Tennessee, just never got around to posting them on the blog.
Before heading to Tennessee, Cindy and I were able to visit Aaron and Laura in Wisconsin. The following weekend we headed over to Columbus Ohio to spend the weekend with David. He is now working for Nationwide Insurance in their World Headquarters office in downtown Columbus. Saturday he took us to where he works ( 31st floor with a fantastic view from his cubicle). We spent most of the day walking around downtown and driving around to other parts of the city. We went out to eat at a favorite place of his and then headed back to the apartment.
Sunday he took us out to Alum Creek State Park where he and Than go trail riding on their bikes. They have a beautiful park and a really nice campground if we ever decide to camp in his area. We spent most of the afternoon driving around the lake and sight-seeing. Sunday evening it was time to head back to Sharpsville and plan for our trip to Tennessee.
Before heading to Tennessee, Cindy and I were able to visit Aaron and Laura in Wisconsin. The following weekend we headed over to Columbus Ohio to spend the weekend with David. He is now working for Nationwide Insurance in their World Headquarters office in downtown Columbus. Saturday he took us to where he works ( 31st floor with a fantastic view from his cubicle). We spent most of the day walking around downtown and driving around to other parts of the city. We went out to eat at a favorite place of his and then headed back to the apartment.
Sunday he took us out to Alum Creek State Park where he and Than go trail riding on their bikes. They have a beautiful park and a really nice campground if we ever decide to camp in his area. We spent most of the afternoon driving around the lake and sight-seeing. Sunday evening it was time to head back to Sharpsville and plan for our trip to Tennessee.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thanksgiving Day Weekend
This Thanksgiving we were very thankful to have our son David and his girlfriend Shawna come visit for a couple of days. We had a great time while they were here. They arrived Turkey Day around 4:30 pm and Cindy had supper ready for them. After eating we took a walk around the rv park and then set outside in the nice 70 degree temperatures taking in the beautiful night skies.
Friday morning after having a nice breakfast we headed into the Smoky National Park. I have to admit I was very concerned that we were not going to see anything due to the fog and rain we were having. We decided to head straight to Clingmans Dome (highest point in the park) and hope the weather would clear by the time we arrived. Lucky for us,by the time we were within a few miles, the sun started breaking through the clouds and fog and we had some beautiful views of the mountains. By the time we reached the top the temperature was down to 29 degrees but as you can tell by the pictures the views were excellent.
We took a hike back to a waterfall then decided to head back to Sevierville via of driving through Gatlinburg. For those of you who have been here you know what the traffic is like in that town. We thought David and Shawna might as well experience it so if they ever came down again they would know what to expect. We stopped at Bennett’s BBQ and stuffed ourselves with ribs, pulled pork, steak, hog wings (something new and very tasty) plus all the fixins. Upon completing this task we thought it best to take a nice long walk around Gatlinburg before heading home.
Saturday morning we took them out to see the view of Lake Douglas with the Smoky Mountains in the background. We were so thankful to have them here and be able to show them some of the area that we are staying in.
A thought for the day, “happiness is only real when it’s shared”.
Friday morning after having a nice breakfast we headed into the Smoky National Park. I have to admit I was very concerned that we were not going to see anything due to the fog and rain we were having. We decided to head straight to Clingmans Dome (highest point in the park) and hope the weather would clear by the time we arrived. Lucky for us,by the time we were within a few miles, the sun started breaking through the clouds and fog and we had some beautiful views of the mountains. By the time we reached the top the temperature was down to 29 degrees but as you can tell by the pictures the views were excellent.
We took a hike back to a waterfall then decided to head back to Sevierville via of driving through Gatlinburg. For those of you who have been here you know what the traffic is like in that town. We thought David and Shawna might as well experience it so if they ever came down again they would know what to expect. We stopped at Bennett’s BBQ and stuffed ourselves with ribs, pulled pork, steak, hog wings (something new and very tasty) plus all the fixins. Upon completing this task we thought it best to take a nice long walk around Gatlinburg before heading home.
Saturday morning we took them out to see the view of Lake Douglas with the Smoky Mountains in the background. We were so thankful to have them here and be able to show them some of the area that we are staying in.
A thought for the day, “happiness is only real when it’s shared”.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Smoky Mountains
First off, I will apologize for not adding anything to the blog since the end of July. I have had several people jump my case and want to know why no new pictures and nothing to read. I guess I just thought people were getting tired of it but I guess I was wrong. Cindy and I have since left Colorado and have returned to the flatland's of Indiana ( or at least for a month we were there). We had a great time visiting family and friends and eating some of our favorite foods (not found west of the Mississippi).
Currently we are in Sevierville, Tennessee. We are staying at the Two Rivers RV Park, located at the north-end of town and right on the Broad French River. I'm getting the fever to get my license and see if I can catch anything in the river, so in the next few days I bring out the rods and reels.
We arrived here on Wednesday, the 17th of November and have been enjoying some very nice weather. The park has 55 sites, 25 on the river and 30 just behind them. It's a unique park in that it is in town but not really, you come down a side street to get here and you do not hear the sound of the traffic a few blocks away.
This past week we have pretty much just been trying to learn our way around here, when to go and when not to go ( due to traffic), shortcuts, grocery stores, the important things. We are planning on going into the Smokey Nat. Park sometime this weekend.
Currently we are in Sevierville, Tennessee. We are staying at the Two Rivers RV Park, located at the north-end of town and right on the Broad French River. I'm getting the fever to get my license and see if I can catch anything in the river, so in the next few days I bring out the rods and reels.
We arrived here on Wednesday, the 17th of November and have been enjoying some very nice weather. The park has 55 sites, 25 on the river and 30 just behind them. It's a unique park in that it is in town but not really, you come down a side street to get here and you do not hear the sound of the traffic a few blocks away.
This past week we have pretty much just been trying to learn our way around here, when to go and when not to go ( due to traffic), shortcuts, grocery stores, the important things. We are planning on going into the Smokey Nat. Park sometime this weekend.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
July
The month of July is almost over and we have been taking in some spectacular sights in the area. We took the drive up to the top at 12,000 ft. via the old Fall River Road. This road does not open until after Memorial Day and closes sometime after Labor Day weather permitting. It is an 11 mile one-way dirt road that goes to the Alpine Summit Visitor Center and also one which makes Cindy a little nervous ( yea, me too at times). If you have ever driven Pikes Peak Road it is like that only one lane and one-way.
Today we took a hike up to the top of Deer Mountain, elevation 10,050 ft. and the views were outstanding. It is a 3 mile hike (one way) and you start at around 9500 ft. From the top we could see the surrounding area where we are at. We saw Estes Lake, Marys Lake, the town of Estes Park, the YMCA Complex, and last but not least our RV parked at Rockmount Cottages. The views were breath taking and no photo that we take can even compare to the actual beauty that we saw.
We are eagerly awaiting the return of the Elk. Due to the temperatures they have all headed into the high country, with just a few remaining around. We've been told sometime next month the bull elk will return and start their "bugling" so we are excited for this event to take place ( unless they keep us awake all night) then it might not be so great.
Life is what you make of it. Always has been, always will be.
Today we took a hike up to the top of Deer Mountain, elevation 10,050 ft. and the views were outstanding. It is a 3 mile hike (one way) and you start at around 9500 ft. From the top we could see the surrounding area where we are at. We saw Estes Lake, Marys Lake, the town of Estes Park, the YMCA Complex, and last but not least our RV parked at Rockmount Cottages. The views were breath taking and no photo that we take can even compare to the actual beauty that we saw.
We are eagerly awaiting the return of the Elk. Due to the temperatures they have all headed into the high country, with just a few remaining around. We've been told sometime next month the bull elk will return and start their "bugling" so we are excited for this event to take place ( unless they keep us awake all night) then it might not be so great.
Life is what you make of it. Always has been, always will be.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
July 4th weekend
Randy and family came up and spent a couple of days with us and as usual we had a great time. It's nice to have family close by to spend some time with and we appreciated the effort they made in coming here. They took a pretty good hike on the way here and I think they were as tired as we were from working so we just decided to sit around and take it easy Saturday evening.
Sunday morning Cindy and I had several cabins to clean so they decided to take a hike just in back of the property here. Now we have been here for over 10 weeks and have yet to see a bear, oh there have been people in the park that saw them but not us. So guess what they saw on the way down from their hike? Yep you guessed it, a cinnamon colored bear, probably 1 yr old by the size of it, but regardless a bear. They have some wonderful pictures they took of it and were gracious to let me post them on the blog. So I hope everyone enjoys viewing them. As for Cindy and I, we will keep looking and maybe someday see one.
Monday afternoon while everyone was sitting around outside, I opened the door to go out and saw some elk in the park. I went out and told everyone to be real still and maybe they would come by the camper. Well they kept still and the elk did come by, in fact there several and around 6-10 newborns. As you can tell by the pictures they came pretty close to the camper, close enough to eat on Cindy's flowers hanging out behind here. There were many great shots taken by everyone and if you would like to see more, April has them posted on her facebook.
Sunday morning Cindy and I had several cabins to clean so they decided to take a hike just in back of the property here. Now we have been here for over 10 weeks and have yet to see a bear, oh there have been people in the park that saw them but not us. So guess what they saw on the way down from their hike? Yep you guessed it, a cinnamon colored bear, probably 1 yr old by the size of it, but regardless a bear. They have some wonderful pictures they took of it and were gracious to let me post them on the blog. So I hope everyone enjoys viewing them. As for Cindy and I, we will keep looking and maybe someday see one.
Monday afternoon while everyone was sitting around outside, I opened the door to go out and saw some elk in the park. I went out and told everyone to be real still and maybe they would come by the camper. Well they kept still and the elk did come by, in fact there several and around 6-10 newborns. As you can tell by the pictures they came pretty close to the camper, close enough to eat on Cindy's flowers hanging out behind here. There were many great shots taken by everyone and if you would like to see more, April has them posted on her facebook.
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