Serenity Now....

(Sunrise @ Newfound Gap)

My birthday trip was a MUCH NEEDED break from all the crap I've been dealing with lately, so as promised pictures from our trip:

I've been traveling to the Gatlinburg, TN/Cherokee, NC/Great Smoky Mountains since I was very young. My Grandparents used to take me there just about every summer since I was 3 years old...I love that area and could live there in a heartbeat. Well, with the exception of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area--it's WAY too crowded for me now, though there is the Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Trail, I think I'd like that area okay. That's really where I spend all my "shopping" time while others are at the tourist traps in town and in Pigeon Forge.
We didn't make the hour drive through the Great Smoky Mountain NP to Cherokee...as much as I love that place it's very hard for me to see it with the casino in place now. I know, I know...it's a revenue for the Cherokee people but it has it's pitfalls to it too. Just like with Gatlinburg I take the good with the bad.

Cable Mill @ Cades Cove








We found a river cairn someone had left behind...I would have added to it but I didn't want to knock it over...



...and of course, Rudy had a blast!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!