Biltmore Estate Conservatory

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I don't know the name of this plant -- we saw it in the Conservatory at the Biltmore Estate. I really liked the colors and lines of these leaves. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything to identify the plant for me.

Serenity Falls

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Serenity Falls is a pretty waterfall near Cosby, Tennessee. Betsy and I have stayed in a guest cabin at the base of Serenity Falls a couple of times, and it has always been a peaceful and relaxing experience. I guess that is why we keep going back.

Flowers From Our Yard: Pansies

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Our pansies have recovered from the snow and cold of the past two months and are now blooming in the sunshine of the past few days. It's wonderful to see these cheery blossoms in various places about the yard.

Cattails at Abbott Lake

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I took this picture of cattails on the shore of Abbott Lake when Betsy and I were at the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Virginia for her birthday this past August.

Tempesta Falls

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Tempesta Falls is one of five major waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia. There is no direct access to this waterfall, and this picture was taken from the south rim of the gorge in May, 2010.

Flower From Biltmore

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Betsy and I celebrated Valentine Day by going back to the Conservatory at Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. I don't know what flower this is, but I loved the color and took this picture.

Fall Creek Falls

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Fall Creek Falls in one of our favorite waterfalls. Not only is it beautiful, but Betsy and I shared our first kiss at Fall Creek Falls State Park.

From the Archives: Flowers in Our Yard

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Chicago Peace is a rose that Betsy and I consider to be gorgeous with a wonderful form. We've enjoyed this rose for about three years. Chicago Peace is a descendant of Peace, which we also have in our yard. Peace has more yellow than pink, but as you can see, Chicago Peace has more pink than yellow.

John Oliver Cabin

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John Oliver and his wife, Lurany, were the first settlers in what is now Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They purchased their land in 1826, and later built this cabin. The John Oliver Cabin is a popular stop on the Cades Cove Loop.

From the Archives: Flowers in Our Yard

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Betsy and I built a new flowerbed in 2009, and since it gets good sunshine, we've planted roses, lilies and daylilies in it. Last year we were pleased with this daylily, South Sea, which gave us many beautiful blossoms, even if each one did last only for a single day.

Betsy on Black Mountain

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Black Mountain, which is fairly near us, is part of the Cumberland Trail State Park. I captured this picture of my favorite hiking partner at the South Overlook on top of Black Mountain in July, 2007.

Behind Dry Falls

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This picture was taken in December, 2009, but it seems to be appropriate for the weather we've been having. During warm weather it's possible to walk behind Dry Falls in North Carolina. But with all the ice when we visited the walk behind the falls was closed. I think that was a good idea.

Beach Grass

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While walking along the beach at Ocean Isle when we were there in December, I was attracted by this batch of grass silhouetted against the sky and water. I couldn't resist taking a picture.

An Early Morning Scene

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In an attempt to feel warmer on these cold winter days, I'm posting this picture from early summer. This picture was taken on the fourteenth hole of the Druid Hills golf course here in the Glade. The morning sun is coming up on the left, although you can still see fog in the valley beyond the trees.

From the Archives: Flowers in Our Yard

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This rose is called April in Paris.  I've never been to Paris, so I can't say whether or not the name is appropriate.  But I do know that we like the form and soft pink color of this rose, so that's enough for us.

Full Moon at the Beach

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I captured this picture of the full moon last December while Betsy and I were at the beach. This picture was taken several hours before the start of the eclipse that same night. You can see a picture of the eclipse HERE.

Red Tree on the Parkway

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In mid-October of last year Betsy and I took a drive along the Foothills Parkway, which parallels the Smoky Mountains. The altitude on the section we traveled is fairly low, so there wasn't much color along our route. I did, however, spot this pretty red tree near one of the overlooks.