Meme - 1st Album, 10th Picture, & the Story

Lorac at Ahh, the Cottage Life saw a meme that looked like fun asked other bloggers to contribute.

So, here is the ritual:

1) Open up you first photo album

2) Scroll down to the 10th picture.

3) Post that picture and write the story that goes with the picture.
I want to offer a disclaimer before I begin my story. My albums are a bit confusing and some I am unable to copy to the blog or onto my desktop; therefore, I have had to deviate somewhat. Really the first album on my computer is of a trip with the G-man & his best male friend over Christmas several years ago. However, I was unable to copy them for the blog meme. It is disappointing because as many of you know that is my favorite part of the world. The sky was brilliantly blue, the air crisp, & the scenery spectacular. Luckily the first album that I was able to copy from is of also a spectacular part of our great country.

North Carolina, Tennessee, the Great Smokey Mountains & My Family

Last September the G-man and I took a driving trip from Texas to the lovely Smokey Mountains of North Carolina & Tennessee. My brother & his wife met us there for a little family get-together. We left Texas the last week in September when there was a shortage of gasoline as a result of a hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast. We decided to go the northerly route rather than risk going IH-10 through Houston and Beaumont which received the brunt of the storm.

Little did we know that the gas problem would reach to the eastern United States. As we drove through northern Alabama we heard tales from fellow travelers that many places in Georgia & North Carolina were experiencing long lines at the pumps and that some stations were closed.

We decided to continue on and get gasoline when our gas gauge reached the half way mark in the attempt to not get stranded. It was a good plan and worked, so no problem for us.

My only brother & his sweet wife.

My brother & his wife met us at the old lodge (the Fryemont Inn) where they have been coming since the 1940s. My tenth photograph in this first album is of them in the Smokey Mountain National Park. It was a beautiful sunny day with a brilliant blue sky. We stopped at an overlook to enjoy the beautiful view which you can see below.

Even though the day was bright & sunny the Smokies lived up to their name by appearing very blue & smokey in the photographs below.

The Great Smokey Mountains live up to their name.

Spectacular views.

(Click on the photos to enlarge.)

After enjoying the view we drove on to the town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is a town snuggled into the mountains and is a winter destination for skiers; however, I think the last few years have had little snow.

Autumn display coming into Gatlinburg.

A cute little poodle enjoying the bright sunny day!

Passers-by enjoyed the birds on display.

As we were going back over the mountain we saw many cars stopped beside the road.

Why are they stopping?
What are they seeing?


People were out with their cameras.
The leaves & tree limbs are moving.
Oh, there is a small black figure.


Way up in a tree was a small black bear.
Just hanging out.
Maybe having a bit of berries for lunch.

The next day after enjoying a hearty breakfast in the dining room, we went on a little golf outing. It was the first time my brother & sister-in-law had driven around on a golf course. They decided to leave the driving to us because there were steep grades as you can tell from the photos below. It was a beautiful mountain golf course.

My brother, the G-man, & me

Leslie & Annette

An old barn, decorated for autumn, on the golf course adds character to the surroundings.

Back at the Fryemont Inn we enjoyed a wonderfull dinner. The selections in the dining room are hearty... good thing after golfers, hikers, & sightseers come in starving after a day exploring. Many of the guests are like my family & have been coming to the Fryemont for years. It is very rustic and there is nothing modern about it, but it is a delightful retreat.

The G-man at the Fryemont.
The rocking chairs are a terrific draw.

Get there early so you can enjoy the view while rocking.


View from the front porch.

Meeting in an interesting place is a most enjoyable way to visit family. The last time we went eastward, we met in Charleston, South Carolina. That is a beautiful city with photos for another time.

After dinner most people gather in the large open lobby to play cards, read or people watch. My sister-in-law loves to play card games (and so do I), so each night we had a game of hearts or spades to challenge us while telling stories & just enjoying being together. Usually about 2 years pass before I get to visit with family.

People enjoy the fireplace which has a fire blazing at night.
There are books & newspapers to read.

There are naps to catch...
and cats to pet.