Through Madisonville going to the Smoky’s and then home again

Although, summer isn’t over officially many of now consider it a thing of the past. Of course, here in east Tennessee, we’re experiencing cooler mornings and evenings but our day time highs are still rather warm.  

It’s also now time for me to kick-start my regular blog routine and honestly, I’m not sure if I’m ready to get going.  That all being said, I won’t sweat it and do what I can.  Blogging is meant to be a fun activity. If it’s not that then why do it, right? I’m taking on a new approach. I’ll do what I can each day and if I’m blessed to see a new morning then do a little more of the same ole stuff. 

Did you do anything special over the summer? We didn’t do a whole lot.  In fact, when I look back it seems like we did very little. We didn’t go to the mountains very much like we usually do but on the few occasions that we did, I tried snapping a few pictures. I wasn’t nearly as motivated as I’ve been in the past. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.  Anywho, here’s glimpse from a little town in Madisonville, TN on July 5th.

To our backs is a King Donuts. This is a chain and we’ve tried them before but DH being the donut enthusiast that he is decided to give this one a try. It was about like the others nothing extraordinary.  

We went across the Cherohala Skyway toward to check out the Tapoco Lodge northwest of Robbinsville, North Carolina. The holiday weekend made it difficult for us to find a good parking spot to venture the grounds of the old historic lodge but we vowed to return sometime after school starts again.  Now that’s happened, maybe we can find a Friday to go back. 

While in Robbinsville, we explored the small town and came across the tribute and burial site of Chef Junaluska of the eastern Cherokee band who saved General Andrew Jackson’s life.  

It was a bright sunny day and I had no clue what I was getting when I took the above photo.  That’s a big draw back to  using a smartphone. It’s impossible to see the screen when the sun is out. However, I was able to snap the below picture just fine because I was in the shade. 😉

Not being pressed for time, we decided to return home by way of the Smoky Mountains.  It was a huge gamble with it being a holiday weekend but as I said, we weren’t pressed on time and enjoyed being in God’s country. 

We were rewarded in Cherokee, as we spotted a few elk in the field near the visitors’ center.  The parking lot was packed and although there were just these two elk I wasn’t going to get outside the car to photograph them.  I don’t trust wild animals. You never know when one will get spooked and do something stupid like charge you.  You’d not believe the dumb things terrorist (aka tourists) visiting our area do. 🙄

We proceeded across the mountains. At the top, we took a detour to Clingmans Dome but couldn’t get into the parking lot because it was not only jammed pack but the road was flooded near the beginning of the trail.  Traffic was quite heavy coming off the mountain and all the way through the foothill communities.  We knew it might be like this but decided to take the chance but despite the craziness, we enjoyed ourselves.  It was just what we needed minus the traffic chaos. 

That wraps things up but hopefully if inspiration strikes then you might find me back here tomorrow with an art contribution with Thursday Art Date with Rain. 

Thanks for joining me today and may you have a blessed day!

X💋X💋, Cathy

Please read: Aces are wild birthing the idea of my new mid-week hop WILD WEDNESDAYS and all personal bloggers are invited to promote yourself.  This linky party spans 14-days, so next week be sure to link up again. 😉  Share your photos, artwork, music, musings, randomness, or more because we want to connect with you. Warning… spammers will be deleted without prejudice.




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33 comments

    1. Nancy,

      We surely could use a bit of rain. I figured with the heat and humidity that we’d see more afternoon thunderstorms but that hasn’t happened in several days. No doubt, it’ll dump buckets of rain on us on a weekend we want to do something. lol Thanks for the return visit, dearie!

  2. Woo Hoo and you thought I wouldn’t make it! Well, I did praise the Lord and I see you just came back from God’s country and had a lovely day! My favorite pic is with the horse. I love horses. I use to go horseback riding when I was a kid. I loved it. What lovely wonderful pics & so happy the Lord sent you to us to share because of your warming nature. Cat you & Robin are the best! You took some great pictures. That first picture I thought you was in my neck of the woods. We have a house very similar to that downtown Batavia by us. (That’s where I live, Batavia). Now when I see that building I shall think of you! BIG HUGS & thanks again! Have a great rest of the week!

    1. Marie,

      I’m happy you found time to visit but you know my door is open anytime. I think no matter where you live one can find quaint small towns to enjoy. I’ve never been to Batavia before but you have me curious. I may have to look at your city on Google Maps.

      Ahhh, you’re too sweet. I think you’re pretty likable, ole pal. As I said before, who would’ve figured blogging would bloom such wonderful friendships? That’s a perk I didn’t expect but am all the happy to have it. 😘

  3. Looks like it was a nice trip. As far as I’m concerned, summer ended on August 15th. But we’re only now getting the heat. It’s been in the 90s all week.

    1. Liz,

      Anyone who works in the school system feels the same as you. I think schools went back a little before yours. It seems to get earlier each year. We have the heat, too. I had hoped that the 90s were a thing of the past and I wonder if it had something to do with Dorian’s path change. Oh well, it is what it is and it won’t be long before summer’s heat disappears, so I’ll try to not complain too much. I don’t know which I dislike more the heat or the cold. I don’t do the extremes well.

    1. Ellen,

      The foothill communities provide an easy, relaxing sense to our adventures. There is always something new we discover making the trip refreshing and never boring. I hope you get the opportunity to visit this part of the country someday, my friend. 🙂

    1. Mimi,

      The mountains are a no better place to be on a day off. Quietly absorbing the atmosphere of our favorite surroundings is healing for the soul and the memories captured digitally give me a second dose of that medicine when we can’t be there. Thanks for being a part of my share. Have a blessed week, dearie!

    1. Amanda,

      Thanks for the return visit. That’s too bad that you haven’t been to this part of the country in a while. I never tire of it and consider myself blessed beyond measure to call this place home. 🙂

  7. That’s a lovely trip Cathy. 🙂 Oh, I DO believe the dumb things terrorist (aka tourists) visiting our area and every area do. Hermit life is the life for me, let me tell ya. We didn’t really do anything special this summer either. We spent most of our time at home on the porch or in the yard. But that’s okay, that’s what we like to do! 🙂 See you tomorrow! 🙂

    1. Rain,

      It’s amazing how stupid some people can be. They’ll go into the woods where a mama bear is with her cubs then when mama reacts they wonder what that’s all about. It just goes to show you can’t fix stupid. Thanks for dropping in for a visit. I’ll see ya tomorrow!

  8. Welcome back, Cathy! I’ve been to that area and loved it. Your photos bring on fond memories of beautiful and serene scenery. Our summer has been non-eventful but then we travel and explore in the fall. Blue Ridge mountains are on our agenda.

    1. Eugenia,

      Fall time in the mountains is the best place to be. We love going to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the small foothills towns. Let’s hope the colors are spectacular this season!

  9. We’ve done a lot of boating this summer and that’s about it. That works for us.

    You live in some beautiful country. Wow, I would have enjoyed going along with you.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. Hugs and love. ♥

    1. Sandee,

      I sorta figured y’all would be on your boat this summer. You can’t get me on one today but in our early 20s, we sometimes would go with DH’s brother & SIL to do a little water skiing. That was always fun but I was horrible at it and a bit paranoid to be in the water. I was certain something would grab me from deep down and pull me under. Today, that’s not too hard to believe as a possible reality with all the weird stuff people do.

  10. Beautiful photos, Cathy! 💖 Love the history, as well. Welcome back to the Blogosphere; you’ve been missed! And yes, don’t sweat it. Blogging is absolutely meant to be fun and not a chore. Happy Wednesday, wild or otherwise. 🙂

    1. Debbie,

      Thanks, I’ve missed being a part of everyone’s life. Try as I may I failed horribly at keeping up with my good buds like you. I appreciate everyone for sticking with me during my absence and the welcome back. Here’s to lots of fun together! 😉

  11. What a cool place. I guess I am lucky because I still live in my hometown- I grew in the city of Hayward, Ca and still live there.

    Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.

    1. Patrick,

      Although Knoxville isn’t our home town, it sure feels like it because we’ve been here all of our adult life. I was six months from my 18th birthday and DH was a month short of 20 when we married, then moved here. There’s so much more for us to do in East Tennessee and western North Carolina than we could if we still lived in our childhood communities in southern WV. That’s cool that you still live in yours, though. Thanks for joining my linky party. Now, I’m off to visit you!

  12. That sounds so relaxing. I love the pictures. I’m afraid to take a blog break because–like you–I think it would ber hard to get back to. It’s easily doable when organized but without that routine, it takes way too long!

    1. Jacqui,

      It’s tough getting back into the swing of things. My main problem is I don’t govern my time wisely and I often spend too much time online than I should. I wind up getting burned out quickly but I hope to have a better handle on things now. All I can do is try and keep learning as I go. Thanks for touching base with me. Whew….I need to get going on someone’s book tour post! 😉

  13. Hey Cathy~ I don’t think i have been there before however I have hit the backroads from Maryville to Pigeon Forge. Love that area so much up there. Beautiful pics. Getting close to the best time to be up that way with a camera, when those leaves start to turn. Heck, I am excited about the leaves turning here this yr. We have had lots of rain and I really hope that helps with the beauty and color. Take care.

    1. Pamela,

      It won’t be long before the foliage makes a sweeping change across the mountains. A couple of weeks ago we were out on another adventure when I spotted the slightest change in the hills heading east toward Asheville. The green leaves weren’t so vibrant with a hint of yellow beginning to mix in. I told DH I think we’re going to have an early fall because I don’t remember seeing this kind of change last year at this time. We’ll see how things play out in the coming weeks. We’ve received quite a bit of rain, too. Now for it to come at the right time coupled with cool nights and warm days for some beautiful autumn splendor. Thanks for dropping in for a visit.

  15. Hi, Cathy!

    Happy Almost Wordless Wednesday to you, dear friend!

    It’s always fun to travel along with you and DH as you explore your scenic region of the country. Based on the picture you posted, Madisonville, TN, looks like a pretty town and a spotlessly clean one. I appreciated learning the role in history played by that band of Cherokees in the town of Robbinsville. You were lucky to spot elk and snap a picture, and you were smart for staying in the car. Nearly every day there is another tragic story in the news about wild animals attacking people who get to close, usually in an attempt to illegally feed, pet, or take closeup pictures of them, sometimes even posing next to wild beasts for selfies to share on social media. It has gone beyond all reason.
    I agree that many tourists are turning into terrorists, using scenic areas for partying, damaging and polluting our parks and scenic areas, threatening native wildlife and ruining the experience for residents of the area and well mannered visitors like you and DH.

    I look forward to viewing some of your artwork tomorrow. Thank you and have a wonderful day, dear friend Cathy!

    1. Tom,

      Thank you for taking in a little bit of our part of the country. The western North Carolina mountain region is one of our favorite areas to enjoy, as you already know. It amazes us a little to still find places to explore and more unknown destinations within a short drive just waiting for us to uncover for the first time. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by, dear friend!

  16. I’ve never visited the Smoky Mountains but I recall my late parents talking about driving through them on their holidays in the late 1950’s. I’ve visited quite a few states, but I still haven’t been to Tennessee. I’ll have to fix that! It looks like a beautiful part of the world!

    1. April,

      The Smoky’s is a wonderful place to visit. We get quite a few terrorists (aka Tourists) annually. lol Another cool thing you may not know is the Blue Ridge Parkway ends in Cherokee, North Carolina. That’s just on the other side of the Smoky’s. When we have a day to spend in the mountains we have plenty of places to roam and the little towns in the foothills are often interesting spots to explore. Purrhaps, one day you’ll have the pleasure of experiencing the Appalachian mountains in my neck of the woods. Thank you for stopping in for a visit, dearie!

    1. Lee,

      I hope you’re able to get back home for a visit in the very near future, too. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you to be on the other side of the country far away from the place you call home and miss so but on the upside, you sure have seen a lot of this country that many do not. Hopefully, you’ll get to make the move east as you dream about doing. I’m sorry for making you homesick, my friend! xx

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