Hello from the Smokies!

Hi all!

We've been here since Sunday morning, and what a great trip it's been so far. Our digs are close to the woods, and if I could bottle the smells for you, I would. There is the crisp, refreshing coolness of the Oconaluftee River; the cedar and oak smells; firewood, and wet fresh earth. It has been raining for about 10 minute showers here, and it just gets everything clean again.

When we drove through to our site, we saw some elk. G took pictures of the girl elk we saw. Later that evening, we came back to the field and saw 5 young males and the big buck come out of the woods to graze. It was spectacular! The ladies joined them today, and they are in the living museum that's attached to the Welcome Center.

We went on the nature trail hike around the campsite (the first half was up; thankfully the second half was down). And we visited the Mingus Mill. If you would like to revisit that area, go to my previous post in the July, 2013 posts.

Today we are going to Cades Cove (towards Tennessee), just to see what it's like in the 3 years since we were here last. We are wearing our new hiking boots that we got in Michigan last year and will test them out.

Internet and phone service are very spotty here, so posts will be after a few days. Nothing like going "off the grid." Ya'll come back!

PS:  Will post pictures later; the connection is weak now. C ya!