Sunrise and a Triple Water fall

Jim and I enjoyed our first sunrise over the Smokies this morning. I got up before 4:00 and checked the sky - it was filled with stars so I brewed our delicious coffee and we headed for the mountains. The sky was clear as we climbed Look Rock Tower and watched as sunlight dazzled us with the panoramic mountain views. It was the most perfect morning.

After the sunrise we drove to the National Park and hiked 4 miles to a triple waterfall. The beauty that we have seen this day has been breath taking and at the same time makes breathing easy. Walking the mountain trail enclosed with a canopy of leaves and greenery with

only the sound of the river falling swiftly over the rocks. Watching beams of sunlight splashing the ground ahead of us making us want to see whatever is ahead or just around the corner.

As the trail got steeper it turned into switchbacks and we tried to imagine how these trails had once been used by trains and cars and now they are barely passable. We saw old steel rails from a long ago era when they hauled trees from this area. We saw only a chimney standing in the middle of a clearing - standing alone - no longer useful. We saw flowers. We sat on moss covered rocks. We felt the cold water with our hands. And still, at the end of the day it was hard to leave the mountains.

Here's to the Ride!

Planning a Sunrise

Jim and I have been busy tonight packing for a sunrise breakfast. I have all the fixings for coffee - ready to brew at 4:00 am. We have his new (huge) backpack loaded with biscotti, the camera, binoculars, flashlights, walking sticks, water and a blanket to sit on - all ready for our trek to Look Rock Tower.

I am so excited to see the sun rise over the mountains tomorrow morning. I am excited to get up early and see the stars from a mountain top with the view unhindered by city lights. And I am excited to spend the beginning of this July 4th weekend in the mountains of Tennessee.

Here's to a Beautiful Sunrise!

Sharing the Beauty of the Day

Today I joined Jim as he drove to Bridgeport Tennessee to engineer the telephone cable for a new bridge across the French Broad River which is fed by the mountains of North Carolina. I went because it assured me a trip to the mountains - I was not disappointed.

We crossed the mountains on a one lane gravel road, watching for bears and following the meandering trail of a fast flowing creek, encased by rock and trees as far as we could see. The road was completely surrounded by green plant growth and with the rays of sunlight filtering through the tree tops, it gave the appearance of a lush beautiful garden - laid out for us.

We drove for miles through the mountains without passing another car. We stopped and walked to a small lake that is used by helicopters to scoop water for forest fires. We gently touched greenery as we drove past the lush landscape - just by simply reaching our hands out the window.

And we smiled at each other with love for the beauty that we were sharing on this beautiful day in Tennessee.

Here's to the Ride!

Louisville, Tennessee

Jim and I took a drive tonight to the small river front community of Louisville. This little town is nestled on the east side of the Tennessee river with yachts anchored at the town marina. We discovered a wonderful place for a nice cold beer sitting over the water reminding us of the Tiki Bar in Florida where we often ended our warm sunny days.

But now Florida seems like a life time away as we drive back home on Louisville Road (aka 334) overlooking Maryville, all the while focusing on the lines and lines of mountains in the distance. Yes, we are loving it here! And we are grateful for all the places we have lived. All the life we have enjoyed. All the beauty we have gathered.

Here's to the Ride!

Sittin' on Look Rock

I am back in Knoxville and it feels good to be "home". We missed the mountains so much that Jim took the day off and drove us to the mountains. We grilled burgers and then hiked to Look Rock. Look Rock is a cluster of huge boulders at the top of the mountain. Now they have constructed a beautiful tower above the rocks and that is where we hiked to the last time. when an older man told us how, as a kid, he use to play and climb on the real Look Rock which is located just below the tower right on the edge of the mountain. So Jim and I went to the real look rock. Although you may not be able to tell from the picture, we are at the top of this mountain. Sitting level with the tops of many trees, with only more mountains and trees in the distance.

So we just sat there - enjoying the view, enjoying each other's company, enjoying life.

Here's to the Ride!

Happy Valley

Today I asked Jim to drive me through Happy Valley, Tennessee! He did! And we are both happy now.

Here's to the Ride!

Time Spent With Family

Priceless!

I just returned from a trip up North to visit family.

Mom, Dad, Geoff, Brooklyn, Cherie, Miracle, Dena, Elijah, Christian,

Nathan, Alex, Arwen, David, Lindsey, Rudy, Devon, Griffin, Noel,

Joan, Chris, Ashley, Emma, Christopher, Malachi, Kenneth,

Ryan, Erica, Ryan II, LeeAnna, Joe, Hannah, Gabriel, and Abigail,

Missed seeing LaDonna, Ivan, Glenn, Debbie, and Sarah -

Still - time spent with family is always good!

Here's to the Ride!