" PEACE ON EARTH "

Well, it has been a stressful two weeks since my birthday! I had to return to Townsend again last week. The sellers of the Peacock Ridge property had countered our offer so I went back to look at a couple of more properties along with it before deciding to counter back. We met in the middle and I think we are all happy. I know we are !!!!
On Thursday morning I awoke to 56 degrees and light rain (something we have not seen here in a month) and was in dire need of a relaxing day! I headed out early for my favorite place CADES COVE..............
I'm sure most of you have been through Cades Cove but like me, NEVER tire of seeing it. It is the setting of my novel( which I hope to finish someday) which makes every trip inspiring, so come along with me to the most peaceful place on earth!

The Smokies were really Smoke'n !

These Deer and Turkey..........were having a peaceful breakfast together......

Around the bend however I was forced to stop the car for these two Gobblers who appeared to be doing the Gobbler Tango! YES! There are two of them and they payed NO mind whatsoever to the car or me!

I stood and waited for the Tango to move to the roadside and into the woods!

A quick stop at this church which was the center of both life and death for many of the cove settlers.................

Is it any wonder why they are the Smokies ???????

Oh My Gosh !! It's a BEAR hunting breakfast ..............

While I was inside the Cable Mills visitor center looking at the books (what else) one of the employees says; "look at the Bucks" ...........

I ran to the porch and look what I saw! Bucks everywhere!

I snapped this one behind the mill............

The Becky Cable House............

Becky Cable is a character in my book so I love visiting here........

I think I have done a good job bringing the truly fascinating woman back to life in the book....

Upon leaving Cable Mills I always take a right and go down Parsons Branch Road....

This is a small rapid in Forge Creek..............

This tangle of tree roots caught my eye.............

A little way down this road is my favorite cabin in the cove...........
The Henry Whitehead place............

I think the reason it's my favorite is because it shows pioneer progress.....

Henry first built a one room windowless cabin and years later built a two story cabin with windows in front of the old one . The old one was then used as the kitchen...

The BEARS like it too! I've seen more bears here over the years than any other place in the park!

A BEARS EYE view looking down the hill...........

Next we see the Tipton Cabin...........

I love the Bee Gums! So named as they used hollowed out Gum Trees for their bee stands....

Across the road is the Cavilier Barn and Corn Crib..............

Peaceful foraging for another buck...........

Back in Townsend looking back towards Cades Cove...........

One of the reasons I love Townsend is because it is so close to Cades Cove where Peace on Earth is alive and well ..........

Back at the farm this morning it's pretty peaceful too and kinda of Smoky at the pond!

HAVE A GREAT PEACEFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE !!!!! XOXO