Cades Cove, Mike was going around with Ari while I was looking at the the quilts hanging by one house. I did manage to take a picture of one that I liked.
Leaving Cades Cove, we passed by Mingus Mill. We had not been there before. It was the best place so far. Beautiful trees, nice weather, the sound of water and birds, very peaceful, and very few people around. Just perfect.
Can't decide which one is better, what do you think?
Now, for this time, this is a great invention. Don't you think?
Mike and Ari all smiles as we are headed back into the house.
The second floor was closed to the public, but they opened it again. You can see the mechanics of the mill. Very interesting. It did say that if vandalism occured, they will go close the second floor again. Let's hope not, but it is a huge problem around some areas like the Ogle's place in the Roaring Fork tour. So many John loves Tiff or some other names, it makes you wonder are you even together now? Do you really need to destroy something? Anyway, hopefully people will get it one day. Respect what is not yours. The second floor was pretty cool.
View from the window upstairs.
Arianna pointing to the fact that there is no light or fan in the ceiling!
Our last stop was to the Greenbrier entrance to the Smokies Park. Mike wants to go through all possibles entrances that are near TN or NC. So, this is one more. It was beautiful and it is one of the less traveled, even though this is the entrance to the nicest falls (or tallest), Ramseys Cascades. We got to the beginning of the path, but we did not do it. It takes 4 miles to get there, with some difficulties. So, you need to go well prepared. Many hikers will enjoy this path. Maybe next time, if the grandparents go to sit Ari for us. The 8 mile round trip is too much with a 2 year old. But, you can hear the falls and has a nice area to picnic.
Then, we went to the outskirts of Gatlinburg to eat. Mike wanted to surprised me by going to eat to my favorite Cuban restaurant off light #3, but it was closed ! So, now we don't know if they went out of business or is closed for the season? It was Wednesday, so who knows. Then, we decided to try No Way's Jose Restaurant. I would just say this, don't waste your money. Only bad meal of the entire trip :(
Finally, after getting home, Mike wanted to shoot some pool, and Ari wanted to help. So,this is the way that daddy plays pool...
Now, I will show you MY way. Isn't it more effective?
Day four was the shopping day. A whole trip around the Arts and Crafts. I shopped mostly for fabric and quilt's materials. I would learn how to quilt. That is one goal I want to do soon. Some candies for Mike's co-workers, and we stopped to some stores we did not do before.
One of my favorite places of the tour is Cliff Dwells. It's just really pretty. They have the famous Marbles the cat. Every time I go, I play with him. They also have paintings about him :)
They have many artists in there. The second floor is a loft with at least 4-5 artists doing their thing and you can talk to them, etc. They have a painter (mostly landscapes). a bird lady- lots of bird paintings, someone that makes baskets, 100% dyed natural wool, dyed paper and now dyed fabric, to name some... Then, you go to the first floor and shop. They have their stuff there, plus many more that are not there. Some crochet, some homemade toys, some wood trucks and cars, jewelry, etc... too many to mention, but it is worth to have a look.
Nice flowers as you are coming down from the loft.
Arianna loved Marbles, and this stuff rabbit (not bunny). She would not let go, so in the car goes...
After the Crafts, Mike went to Cosby. For two reasons: 1. Biggest quilt shop for me (he was making up the fact that I missed my quilting class for this trip- but I think I already said that before- thanks honey.) and 2. Another entrance to the park. So, Cosby..check! (By the way, Cosby has an awesome Orchard called Carve's with a restaurant, but we were too full to eat. It was highly recommend it so another thing to go back for)
Picture taken specially for my grandpa!
Nice picnic area as well. Someone was having a BBQ pit going. Smelled sooooooo good.
Next, our tradition of eating at Howard's Steakhouse. Yummy. It did not disappoint it. It was very good. Sat next to the Creek, good waiter, great steaks, excellent dessert. Just perfect.
Family picture!
When she gets older and we have the good fortune to go back, we will do the lift. Good night!
1 comment:
Hi Erika,
Wow...small world. Glad that you all had a great time there. Yes, the weather was beautiful. We did not gwet to the "real" mountains or the National Park. My parents can't walk like they used to and walking around in the woods was not an option. Didn't get to Cades Cove either this time around. Maybe next time. We ate at the Park Grille...no where near as good as it used to be. The best restaurant was the Applewood Farm. They had great shops there too. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
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