The Gang at Grotto Falls in TN

Here is what we all thought of the falls and the day:

Living the life in beautiful Tennessee!

Laurel Falls in Great Smoky Mountains NP

Today we headed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  We hiked the Laurel Falls Trail.

Laurel Falls is one of the most popular destinations in the park. 

Laurel Branch and the 80-foot high Laurel Falls are named for mountain laurel, an evergreen shrub which blooms along the trail and near the falls in May

 It appeared to me that the falls were not as abundant as they are sometimes, so I'm guessing the water levels must be low. 

They were really beautiful!  This is the upper falls.

Here you can see the upper falls and lower falls.  The upper falls are in the far left corner.

The lower falls from below:

I didn't go down to the lower falls.  Nathan and Aric did.  They ended up having lots of excitement down there.  I'll let Aric share it with you, which you can read on his blog here: Aric's Blog  

If you go back and look at the first picture, it will give you a hint of what they got pretty close to down there.

Living the life in Tennessee.

Unique RV in Tennessee

As we headed to the National Park today, we stopped at the Visitor Center to grab maps.  This truck/RV pulled in next to us.  I've seen a lot of different RV's over the years, but this one was the first of its kind.

I just had to jump out and snap some pictures and talk to the creator of this interesting space.

Lucky for me, the guys was more than happy to show and tell.  This made my day.  I love stuff like this!

Marion NC to Pigeon Forge TN

We planned to stay in North Carolina for a few more days, but we had last minute changes today.  Daryl and Diana asked us if we'd be willing to go to TN instead.  So we drove there with a very easy drive until we hit Pigeon Forge where we hit major traffic.

Hello Tennessee!

Little Switzerland North Carolina

Work Day

Since we hit the road, Nathan has been the only one doing formal "work".  So it was kind of odd for me to join in today for our training for the new job.  It was a good day filled with interesting stuff.  I think we'll like it!

Blue Ridge Parkway

Living the life in gorgeous North Carolina!

Crabtree Falls in North Carolina

Today we drove on the Blueridge Parkway, and got out to hike to Crabtree Falls.

 This was Aric's first waterfall, which was really special.  I think he was impressed.  Nathan and I were too!

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  ~John Muir

The poetry of the earth is never dead.  ~John Keats

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.  ~Author Unknown

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein

I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.  ~e.e. cummings