Baby Bears

Why Goats?

View across the Smokeys

 To the Smokey's for perfect fall weather and the appearance of looking at the fall colors. This is what people do during October. Especially older people.  We don't see ourselves in this category, and the leaves haven't changed color, so I think we are safe.

Gatlinburg is our destination. The cabin is near there and the less we can cross into Gatlinburg or nearby Pidgeon Forge (think Dolly Parton), the better off we are. Think middle America - overweight, fascinated with Rigley's Belief It Or Not Museums and pancakes. The Turk and I skirt as much of this as possible to get to the mountains, the trails, nature and our hot tub.

The Turk grilled some amazing lamb chops, accompanied by hearty red wine, grilled sweet potatoes and salad.  All compiled in a kitchen with a bowl, 2 plates, 3 forks and 1 wine glass. Yes, this is roughing it.  I guess the jacuzzi makes up for some of that.

On Tuesday, we headed out for a day of adventure and were stopped by 2 baby bears running across the street. Once the big momma bear got them rounded up on one side of the road, one would run across to the other side.  This did not help traffic, or calm momma bears' nerves. 

 The bears finally settled to one side of the road so we could continue.  To a hike! What's a mere 3 miles, each way, up a mountain to a waterfall.

Momma bear thinking her cubs are behaving

Deer who jumped into 'our' trail

It was a wonderful, 6 mile-3 hour hike, complete with a deer who joined us for a short time, some interesting fellow hikers, some exhausted fellow hikers, and a waterfall that was really a trickle.

Our energy was also a trickle by the time we finished.  The jacuzzi was calling....

The bridge with railing on only 1 side

Finally - the water fall...er...water trickle

More waterfalls

 Found these cool old cabins. 10 people lived in a space that today would be considered a small bedroom.  There is a glimpse of slight leaf coloring going on... but just a glimpse.

Dinner?  Fresh chicken sausages grilled while the Turk growled and yelled silly Turkish things to keep the bears from checking out the dinner. A growling, grilling Turk is quite a site and sound.  So, no bears ventured near!

Turk checks out the pile of rock foundation