On Thursday after another lazy morning we drove to Asheville and toured Biltmore House.   What can I say other than that was an amazing experience.   Definitely would add that to your list of things to do on your website.

After so much driving everyday we stayed at the cabin all day Friday and relaxed.   It was one of my favorite days as I sat at the windows and took in the view while reading my book and drinking my coffee – just as I had assured myself I would before vacation started.

We left early Saturday and drove straight through to home – a long drive indeed but gave us today to get back to reality and to return to work tomorrow.

I really cannot say enough how much we enjoyed our time in Sevierville.   The countryside is so beautiful and the location of the cabin is amazing perfect -quiet and peaceful yet easy to get to town.

We left late morning for Waynesville NC.  It is about an hour and a half away and even taking I40 the drive was beautiful through the foothills and over the mountains.

Waynesville is a great town with lots of shops and galleries down Main Street.   It reminded me of Gatlinburg but not nearly as busy.   I bought a new coffee mug handmade by a local potter, Catharine got some locally made jams to have for breakfast and we shopped at the Mast General Store that has been in business since 1883 -I have the shirt to prove it:).   We also found a small toffee shop where we picked up some treats for the ride home.

The highlight of the day was visiting Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville.  It was established in 1811 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.   We explored for awhile but I was most moved by the graves of the confederate soldiers and wondered about the union soldiers that likely died on the very same ground and yet they are not remembered there.   Also interesting was the grave of William George Mallonee who was a Methodist Circuit Rider, born 1846 and died 1915.  His grave is on the edge of the cemetery and faces other graves and the mountains.  I wonder if some of the people he ministered to are in that cemetery too.

We had dinner back in Sevierville at The Chop House which was really good.  Now back at the cabin for my nightly ice cream and a movie.

Again, another great day!

This morning I’m sitting in the breakfast alcove watching the mist rise over the tops of the trees as the day wakes up slowly. I can hear the birds outside whistling to each other and imagine the wildlife scurrying around looking for breakfast.

Last night it rained quite a bit so I enjoyed sitting on the back porch listening to it drip through the trees while a bird was trilling. I tried answering back to the bird in my best imitation of his sound but he didn’t seem to understand me.  I could tell he was a different bird than the ones I hear in the mornings so I imagined he was singing me a goodnight song.

As I look at the wood plank walls around this alcove it reminds me of the cabin we saw yesterday (all be it more polished and no mud filling in the chinks).  I wonder what it was like to be a settler leaving the North at end of winter with likely some snow still on the ground and traveling for months to arrive in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in the Spring.  Making my way through the dense forests fresh with new leaves and bursting into a meadow with bright green grass and wildflowers, I think I would have thought – this is home.

Today we are headed to Waynesville to wander through art galleries.  I plan to take the scenic route and enjoy the scenery along the way and return this evening to try another of your restaurant recommendations.

I spent the early morning in my favorite spot – the window seat looking out at the mountain mists and drinking my coffee and listening to the quiet.

Mid-morning we took TN-416, the scenic route to Gatlinburg.   It was a beautiful drive through the mountains.   In Gatlinburg we took the sky tram to the top of the mountain and were amazed at view.

Downtown Gatlinburg was a busy place with lots of people which is not really for me, so we headed out and got on Cades Cove Loop scenic drive. This was definitely more my speed.  We stopped several times for a picture of the scenery, I’ll send you a couple, and visited several of the historic cabins and churches.    In one of the churches a lady started singing a hymn and several of us joined in.   It was a special moment knowing this church has heard praise music for over 200 years and continues to today.

After leaving Cades Cove we drove back to Gatlinburg and had dinner at Graze Burgers (thanks for the recommendation).

We enjoyed the hot tub this evening and now relaxing watching TV and eating ice cream!   A great day indeed.

I’m sitting in front of the picture windows, sipping coffee, taking time to rest my soul and tune into my surroundings.

I see the dark blue mountain on and off covered by thin gray mist, the bright blue sky with white fluffy clouds I want to jump on.  I see the sun shimmering on the dewey leaves of dark green grass.  I see the various greens in the trees, burgundy of a neighbors bush, the creamy stone lining the flower bed, the almost black of the fresh mulch and my favorite….the bright,bright yellow jonquils.

I hear the sweet sound of my daughter softly snoring, the faint hum of the appliances, the occasional car and wonder where they are going today.

I feel the softness of the cushions I’m leaning on, the firm bench underneath, the cozy blanket covering my lap from the slight chill on legs.

I smell the rich aroma of my Sumatra coffee and taste the nutty, sweet flavor from the sugar I added.  Life is good!