Smoky Mountain Festival of Lights

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Every year Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has a Festival of Lights over the holidays.  As the name implies, there are many beautiful light displays for people to enjoy.  There are several water mills in the mountains around Pigeon Forge, but this one can be seen only during the holidays.

Bejeweled Trees

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Ice on roads can be very dangerous, as can ice on trees if there is too much of it.  But a little bit of ice can be very beautiful.  We had a fast-moving ice storm move through the Glade last week, leaving a thin coating of on everything.  The afternoon sun made the trees and bushes in the empty lot across the street look as if they were adorned with diamonds.

Our First Look at Pikes Peak

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Betsy and I made a  big western trip last September, and Pikes Peak was our first major destination.  This was our first glimpse we got of the mountain from the  parking lot of our motel.  Betsy was especially delighted to see the snow.

Upper Hogskin Branch Falls

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Sometimes getting to a waterfall can be an interesting experience.  Upper Hogskin Branch Falls is near Flag Pond, Tennessee.  It's a pretty little waterfall, but access was almost impossible.  To get this picture I had to bushwhack through a gully that was used as a dump.  Only in Tennessee.