Merry Christmas

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This picture was taken several days ago in Calabash, North Carolina.  We had just finished a delicious seafood dinner and stopped by this tree to get a picture.  There wasn't any snow around, but it was still a Christmasy scene.

My Beautiful Bride and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Deck the Halls

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My Beautiful Bride does a wonderful job of decorating the house for Christmas.  (She does let me help a little if I promise not to mess things up).  This picture, from 2010, shows what the house looks like when the lights are on from the road out front.

Where the Buffalo Roam

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We've had several people tell us that Custer State Park in South Dakota is a marvelous place to visit, so we headed that way after leaving Mount Rushmore.  The Wildlife Loop in the park was everything everyone said it would be.  It was there that we saw this herd of buffalo on the prairie.

November Full Moon

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The leaves are gone from most of trees here in the Glade in November, but sometimes that can be a good thing.  I got this picture last November as a full moon was rising behind some bare trees in our back yard.

Betsy at Linville Falls

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Last month Betsy and I went to Asheville, North Carolina, to enjoy the views of the Blue Ridge Parkway and to visit Mount Mitchell.  We weren't able to do either because of road closures, so we decided to visit Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls instead.  I got this picture of my Beautiful Bride after we made a late afternoon hike to an overlook for Linville Falls.

Bays Mountain Falls

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Betsy and I have visited many waterfalls together, and we have learned that a waterfall doesn't have to be big or famous to be special.  Bays Mountain Falls near Kingsport, Tennessee, is a good example of this.  We were taken there on Thanksgiving three years ago by a childhood friend of Betsy.  We had a wonderful day with Rieda and also got to see this pretty waterfall.

Full Moon on a Cloudy Night

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I captured this picture of the full moon over Fairfield Glade on a cloudy evening a couple of years ago. I like the way the moon is partially veiled by the wispy cloud.

Betsy and Her Texas Granddaughters

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The day after Thanksgiving was a special day for Betsy.  She was able to see her Texas granddaughters when we met them at Fall Creek Falls State Park here in Tennessee.  The light for pictures wasn't very good at the overlook where I snapped this picture, but the smiles couldn't be brighter.

God's Palette

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We came across this pretty autumn scene while hiking in Rockbridge State Nature Preserve near Logan, Ohio.  The colors in God's palette are truly beautiful.

Autumn Color in Tennessee

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I went to my archives to get this photo of the beautiful autumn colors we enjoy here in Tennessee.  This picture was taken in October, 2009, at an overlook on the Cherohala Skyway, which runs over the mountains between Robbinsville, North Carolina, and Tellico Plains, Tennessee.

October in the Glade

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This photo is from my archives, but I wanted to share some of the beautiful autumn color we have in the Glade.  We often drive across the dam forming Lake Glastowbury when we travel toward Knoxville.  We stopped on a beautiful October day so I could get this picture.

October in the Smokies

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In October Betsy and I went to the Foothills Parkway near Townsend, Tennessee.  We wanted to see the color in the Smokies, but didn't want to get caught up in all the traffic that is there this time of year.  The Parkway parallels the Smokies, but is not nearly as well known.  This is the view (looking toward the Smoky Mountains) at the first overlook we encountered.

Smoky Mountains Sky

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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the nation's most visited national park. People come throughout the year to see the mountains; they come in October to see the autumn colors. There's beauty to enjoy any time of the year.

This is the Smoky Mountains in early October.

Autumn Color in the Glade

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I went to my archives to get this picture of autumn color along the Druid Hills Golf Course here in the Glade. I know this was captured on the front nine of the course, but I'm not sure which hole.

Smoky Mountains

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The Smokies are beautiful any time of the year, and Betsy and I visit as often as we possibly can. This October scene, from my archives, was taken from an overlook of Cheoah Lake. There's just a hint of autumn color, and the combination of sky, mountains and water show why the Smokies are so very popular.

Beehive Geyser

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Betsy and I were fortunate enough to see the eruption of several geysers while visiting Yellowstone, including four different eruptions of Old Faithful.  One of the first eruptions we saw was this display by  Beehive Geyser.  We both thought the plume was gorgeous against that brilliant blue sky.

Caledonia Cascade

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Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia is one of our favorite waterfall and hiking destinations. The canyon is deep, and contains five major waterfalls. Another waterfall -- Caledonia Cascade -- snakes its way down the north canyon wall. I got this photo of the cascade on a foggy, misty October day in 2009.

The View from Newfound Gap

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Autumn is a wonderful time to visit the Smoky Mountains. Although the mountains and the sky are always spectacular, the autumn color of the trees is something that has to be seen to be believed.

This photo was taken two years ago at Newfound Gap on the Tennessee - North Carolina border. I can't decide what is more spectacular -- the autumn color in the foreground, the sky, or those mountains marching off into the distance.

The Glory of Autumn

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This photo comes from my archives, but I like it because it shows the glory of autumn up here on the Cumberland Plateau. The picture was taken in 2006 on a hike along Byrd Lake in Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville, Tennessee.

Looking the Wrong Way

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I know the sun sets in the west, but sometimes a beautiful sky can be seen by turning your back to the setting sun. This photo was taken last month from the road in front of our house by looking east. I think the pastel colors of the sky and clouds ares very beautiful.

Autumn Color on the Cherohala Skyway

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One of our favorite drives in Autumn is the Cherohala Skyway, which goes over the mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina. The changes in elevation provide different colors as the road goes higher and lower. This picture, from my archives, is from a visit in 2009.

Double Delight Rose

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If I had to pick an all-time favorite rose, it would probably be Double Delight. The colors are beautifully vibrant, and the fragrance is wonderful.

Evening Sky in the Glade

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Sometimes incorrect camera settings can yield interesting results. I got this photo when trying to capture the evening sky on the edge of the fairway behind our house this past July. I must admit that I really like the colors in this image.

Looking Down on Cades Cove

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Cades Cove is one of the most popular parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. The cove is a valley dotted with homesteads, churches, fields and woods. It was turned into a living museum after the establishment of the park in the 1930s. This picture was taken from Rich Mountain road leading out to Cades Cove. If you look carefully you can see part of the loop road that takes visitors through the cove.

Color and Light

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When Betsy and I visited the Chapel at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, I was enthralled by the color and light in the sanctuary.  I have seen many pictures of the exterior of the chapel, but was amazed by the beauty and serenity of the interior.(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.  Clicking a second time will make it full-sized.)

Starting Up Pikes Peak

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One of the highlights of our recent western trip was our drive up Pikes Peak.  We stopped and got this view of the mountain as we started up the road.

My Beautiful Mountain Girl

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Betsy grew up in the mountains of southwestern Virginia, and I guess it's true that "You can take the girl out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the girl." Betsy is always delighted when we visit the Smoky Mountains, and I think she looks radiant in this photo I took in late August as she sat on boulder along Middle Prong near Tremont in the Smokies.

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This has been a very hectic time for us with upcoming weddings, Dad's birthday, and work on the house. Betsy and I need a break to recharge our batteries, so, as some of you have done, we're taking a blogging break. We will be away from blogging until October 1. I hope all of you have a very happy and wonderful September.

Peek-a-Boo Moon

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Last Friday, the night of the full moon, I was trying to get some pictures of the moon as it was playing peek-a-boo through the clouds on the horizon. This photo is grainy, but I like the colors around the moon.

Red Sky at Night

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August sunsets in the Glade can be spectacular. I captured this photo of a beautiful red sky from the yard behind our house. I couldn't help but think, "Red sky at night, sailor's (and Tennessean's) delight".

Falls on Waters Creek

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This photo, from my archives, is of the Falls on Waters Creek near Turner's Corner, Georgia. We drove back into the Chattahoochee National Forest along a 'lovely' Forest Service road to reach the falls. The waterfall was beautiful, and we were very glad that our Prius could do a wonderful imitation of a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Wildfire Rose

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Our Wildfire rose still looks pretty 'hot' to me, even when covered with raindrops. Betsy and I love the orange-red color of this rose. Wildfire seems like a very appropriate name.

Biltmore House Vista

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When Betsy and I visited the Biltmore Estate near Asheville, North Carolina, at the end of July, we hiked up to the Statue of Diana, where we had this wonderful view of the house with the mountains behind it.

Moon Over the Glade

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In late July we were treated to the moon and some beautiful peach-colored clouds in the sky over the Glade at sunset. After the sun dropped below the Plateau I concentrated on the moon and was pleased with the craters I captured near the moon's south pole.

Gemini Rose

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Gemini is one of the first roses we planted in our front yard. It's a bicolor -- I guess that's how it got its name -- of delicate pink and white. It also has a nice fragrance. We're always happy to see it in bloom.

Star Moon

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In early July I was trying to get a picture of the moon through the branches of a tree in our front yard. This isn't exactly what I was expecting to get, but I rather like it.

Rakes Mill Dam

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Betsy and I found this dam at the site of Rakes Mill while driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The miller, Jarman Rakes, allowed customers, and only customers, fish for brook trout in the mill pond while their grain was being ground.

Clarence Iris

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This has been an unusual year in many respects. Among the unusual happenings in our yard has been the fact that we've had iris in bloom since early April. This picture of Clarence iris was taken in late July. As I write this we still have iris in bloom.

Lavender Deal Day Lily

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Betsy and I usually add a few new plants to our garden every year. This year we added some new day lilies. Lavender Deal is one of our new ones; I think it looks beautiful in the early morning light.

American Falls at Niagara

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This picture of the American Falls at Niagara comes from my archives. It was taken during a visit we made to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, in 2002.

Tahitian Sunset Rose

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We think this rose with its orange-yellow blend of color is beautiful. I've never been to Tahiti, but I imagine that sunsets on that island were the inspiration for the name of this rose -- Tahitian Sunset.

Flowering Sempervivum

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We have quite a few sempervivum (hens and chicks) about our yard. They are easy to care for, and as succulents, they have plump, colorful leaves even in winter. Sempervivum (the word means 'live forever') live for many years and, before they die, many send a flower stalk. It's a beautiful way to go.

The Parthenon

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Nashville's Centennial Park contains a full-sized replica of the Parthenon. I really like the beautiful reliefs in the pediment above the columns.

Touching Lily

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The lilies in the front flower bed have been putting on quite a display all season long. Touching has large, beautiful blossoms and a delightful fragrance.

Triple Falls

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This photo, from my archives, is of Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest near Brevard, North Carolina. Triple Falls is only one of several interesting falls in the forest.

Centennial Park, Nashville

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Centennial Park in Nashville was the site of our second date on April 7, 2001. So when Betsy and I went to Nashville in June to celebrate our anniversary, we just had to check out the park. The gardens had summer blossoms instead of spring flowers, but they were still beautiful.

Summer Nights Rose

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We only have one new rose in our yard this year, Summer Nights. I'm not sure how this rose got its name; it seems too bright and colorful to have anything to do with night. But we're glad to welcome this showy rose into our yard.

Star Struck Day Lily

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Betsy and I planted several new varieties of day lilies in our yard this Spring. They are all re-blooming plants, so we're hoping we can enjoy them for several weeks. One of the new plants is Star Struck, which has the beautiful, huge, yellow blossoms.

Ammons Creek Falls

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Ammons Creek Falls is a pretty waterfall near Clayton, Georgia. We got to the waterfall after a fairly long, mostly downhill hike. Getting back to the car was definitely harder than getting to the waterfall, but we think it was worth the effort.

Lake Watauga

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Betsy and I went to Nashville on June 23 to celebrate our anniversary. We first went to Centennial Park, which we had visited many times when we dated and were first married. We've often walked around this lake, but it wasn't until I checked our photos taken with the GPS tracker that I learned it had a name -- Lake Watauga.

Lady Elizabeth Day Lily

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We try to have one or two new things in our gardens every year. This year we added some new day lilies. The disadvantage of day lilies is that the blossoms last for one day. The advantage of this day lily, Lady Elizabeth, is that it is a re-bloomer, and we should enjoy these blossoms again in the fall.