Mountain Trip ~ Part 3 ~

Tennessee Mountains

continued......

Snapping beans with an awesome view.

(It's so strange, but sooo nice.)


The storms rolling in over Gatlinburg.

(Easy way to check the weather report, ha ha.)
"Look the other way, James!"
You just never know about these two!!
;)

Grill Masters

(Exchange Tom for Gabriel and you have our awesome cooks.)

(Tom, I'm sure you could do great, too.)

She smells the food.

All 14 of us invade the Old Mill Restaurant.

Patience boy, patience.

Country Store ( art )

This is on top of the mountain we're staying on and where

the ski slopes and ice skating are.

The hiking schedule for the week.

To get a little rest from hiking the kids decided

to ice skate for hours.

(Rest??? I don't call that rest, that's why WE rode the ski lift, instead.)

Mary and James trying hard to join the train.

They made it!

(All but poor Tom... He was fixing his skates on the sidelines...)

9.0

Speed skating against..... noone.

We can see everything that goes on on Gatlinburg and

Pigeon Forge.

(Especially with the binoculars.)

This rides from Gatlinburg to the Ice Skating and ski slopes on top

of the mountain.

($10 per person.)

This was a HUGE storm that rolled in with very high winds.

It reminded us of the hurricane winds and with the house hanging

over the side of the mountain, it was a little scary for mom.

It was amazing watching a lightning storm from ABOVE the lightning.

The plan was to hike Mt. Leconte (12.2) miles this morning,

but as you can see, you can't see!!

But after a couple hours, the clouds lifted

and they took off.

(5.6 miles straight up and 6.6 miles straight down.)

And they're down right at dark.

(Actually the young ones were down an hour ago, but dad's

knee blew out on the way down, so he was a little longer.

Atleast he made it. It's common to carry people off of this mountain.)

So, since 12.5 miles wasn't enough,

Clingman's Dome is on the list for the next day.

AHHHHH

Brothers

Ariana and Susan are holding me up

after huffin' and puffin' straight up this thing.

(Pitiful, I know.)

But.... with the pleading of my family,

I made it to the top of the mountain,

and then to the top of the dome.

(So feel free to give a hurrah or two, if you feel led.)

Part of the hike up you're in Tenn. and the

other part in NC.

That was the hiking trail, yesterday.

(These people just won't quit!)

Sisters

I love this pic.

(Just so you know.)

Aggressive male bear,

smelling the food grilling and trying to figure out how to get it.

They have had them climb the trees to get over the rails,

but I think he's a little big for that.

(I was praying he was, anyway.)

We also saw a momma and two tiny babies,

and a few others during the week.

(They're everywhere.)

When it gets dark, it's so beautiful seeing all the lights.

-----------------------

Bush Bean Plant

All we need now is a steak and potatoe the same size

and we're set for a party.

:)

Ariana trying to steal the secret recipe.

---------------------

Returning to the

"Good Ole Days"

Ready for some sweet fellowship

and some awesome food.

Fun times.

(Camera girl, see those raised eyebrows? I think you're in TROUBLE.)

Perfect Picnic.

(The temps. were in the 50's during the day.)

The happiest dishwasher I've ever seen.

Jam session with the newest member of the band.

Alvin on the washboard.

(He's good!)

(BTW: Gabriel's playing his invisible bass. Just couldn't fit

that huge thing in the van, somehow ;}

Two more recruits.

(Eugene on the "other" washboard and LC on the washtub.)

(They might be at the Bluegrass Festival next year. Be watching.)

The boys picked 2 gallons of blackberries after breakfast,

and the girls made 2 of these for after dinner.

(It just doesn't get any better than this.)

Why can't we stay here,

in this place,

in this time,

when things were simple.

Heaven is our destiny,

and if we're a child of the Most High God,

it will be so much better ,

than any other place we could imagine.

How unworthy we are,

and How marvelous He is,

our Lord and Savior,

Jesus Christ.

Hope you enjoyed our Mountain Trip.