Christmas at Biltmore

Although the holiday season is about over, I couldn't resist posting a picture I took of the front lawn of Biltmore when Betsy and I attended the Candlelight Christmas event there.  There was just enough snow on the ground to set the mood as we approached the house.

Autumn in the Smokeys

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Autumn colors came to the mountains this year a couple of weeks later than usual.  When My Beautiful Bride and I set out to see the colors, we found plenty of green among the trees.  But there were still some glorious sights to see, such as this view from Newfound Gap Road near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Wyoming Morniing Sky

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Betsy and I started home before dawn after our trip out west earlier this year. We had been on the road for quite a while when dawn started to break out in Wyoming. We just had to stop and get pictures of the sky and the Hoback River as the sun announced a glorious day ahead.

Chihuly at Biltmore

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In September Betsy and I went to Biltmore to see the Chihuly exhibit at night.  We arrived late in the afternoon, which is when I got this photo of “Sole d’Oro”, which was located on the lawn in front of the house.  The sun was directly behind the glass sculpture when I got this photo, which caused the sculpture to glow in the light.

Beartooth Scenic Highway

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One of the highlights of our recent western trip (both figuratively and literally) was our drive from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone National Park on the Beartooth Scenic Highway.  The scenery was gorgeous all along the way.  This is a photo I got with my iPhone at the first overlook we reached.  Needless to say, we made many more stops on this particular journey.

Sunset at Mormon Row

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There are many places in Grand Teton National Park from which to enjoy views of the setting sun.  One of our favorite places is Mormon Row.  This photo was taken in the Mormon Row Historical District just after the sun dropped behind the mountains.  It was a magical moment.

Above Ground at Mammoth Cave

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Most people go to Mammoth Cave National Park to explore the underground beauty.  But when Betsy and I visited Mammoth Cave with our friends Patti and Neal, we explored some of the above ground beauty of the park.  We enjoyed the quiet beauty of Sloans Pond one afternoon.  Peaceful and relaxing.

Betsy and Her Great-Granddaughter

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I got this photo with my iPhone back in May when My Beautiful Bride met her great-granddaughter for the very first time.  I’m not sure, looking at the picture, who was happiest about this meeting.

Tulips in the Walled Garden

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Since Betsy and I have seasonal passes to Biltmore, we try to get there at least once each season.  And although we would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite season, it’s hard to beat Spring.  I got this photo of tulips in bloom in the Walled Garden in April of this year.

Crescendo Rose

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After some unusual weather in February (warm) and April (cold) our roses are recovering and starting to bloom.  This beauty is Crescendo and I got this photo last month in May.

A Sure Sign of Spring

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Dogwood blossoms against a brilliant blue sky are a sure sign that it truly is Spring.  I got this photo in the Walled Garden at Biltmore House and Gardens.

The Sinks

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The Sinks is one of the more popular areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along Little River Road.  Daredevils (mostly teenagers) dive into the stream below these rocks, although they are warned not to do so.  Fortunately it was too cold for daredevils when we were there in early April, but we did enjoy the beauty of rocks and water.

Our Smokies in the Winter

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We’re now enjoying the glories of Spring in the mountains of east Tennessee, but our mountains — and the Smokies in particular — are beautiful any time of the year.  This photo was taken this past December from the Gatlinburg Bypass on an overcast afternoon.

Summer of Love Rose

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I know it’s Spring --although it has seemed like winter the past couple of weeks -- but our roses are starting to show new growth and promise lots of color in the days ahead.  Last year our roses were blooming in April; I don't think that will happen this year.  I got this picture of Summer of Love after an April shower last year.

Desoto State Park

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Betsy and I have visited Desoto State Park in Alabama several times.  It offers beautiful waterfalls and good hiking.  Just above the brink of Desoto Falls is a dam which forms Desoto State Park Lake.  This dam can also present a beautiful photo opportunity, as can be seen by the photo above.

Mt. Nebo Waterfall

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Although we didn’t make it to Mt. Nebo this year, it has been an annual event for us for almost as long as My Beautiful Bride and I have been married.  (She’s the one who introduced me to this beautiful place.)

Although we go in late February or early March, we’ve rarely had snow while we were there.  This photo, taken in March a few years ago, was taken during a light snowfall.  The area around Upper Mt. Nebo Falls was turned into a winter wonderland.    

Mount Nebo Sunset

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Although we couldn’t make it to Mount Nebo State Park in Arkansas this year, we still have beautiful memories of the glorious sunsets we enjoy from the back of the cabin we rent each time we go.  This picture was taken February, 2008.

Evening Light in Colorado

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One of our stopping places during our trip out west last year was Cortez, Colorado.  On our first evening there we walked around the grounds of the motel as the sun was setting, and I captured this view looking toward Monte Verdi in the evening light.

Hickman Natural Bridge

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Betsy and I visited Capitol Reef National Park in Utah on our western trip in September.  That was the first time we had visited the park.

One of the more popular hikes at Capitol Reef is a relatively easy (the only kind we look for nowadays) to Hickman Natural Bridge.  The hike is just about 2 miles long and offers some spectacular views as well as a trail around and under the bridge.