A BEARY GREAT TIME

A few weeks ago, The Husband and I took a short trip to the mountains of Tennessee.  Yes, the Great Smoky Mountains.  For the first time ever on a trip there, we rented a cabin  a short ways up a mountain in Wears Valley.  What a beautiful place!  Our cabin was comfortable and nice, too.

There was a pool table in the loft area.  The Husband and I enjoyed several games of pool.  Or at least we attempted to play several games of pool.  The Husband probably has been fairly successful at pool in the past and he was especially successful at pool on this trip, winning constantly.  I, on the other hand, might have picked up a pool pole maybe once in my lifetime.  I did find it rather fun, though.  I found it such fun that if I were in my young and foolish days, I might say we need a pool table.  However, now that I am old and wise, I’ll enjoy the memories.  

We enjoyed an early morning trip to Cades Cove.  The Husband and I DO love Cades Cove.  He enjoys the wildlife, I enjoy the photography.  Here are some samples of both.

The Husband and I were also able to meet the parents of The Balloon Friend (VBS, June 10, 2013 and Kindred Spirits, September 9, 2013) as it turned out they live and work a mile from our cabin.  That was such a nice meeting and they, like their sweet daughter, are lovely people.

On our return trip home, the route taken was over the mountains.  One can see why they are called the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Our route also took us via the Carolinas and these sights.

We stopped for a wonderful visit with a sweet friend and her husband.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at a good ‘ole boy restaurant  and visit with them.  The visit was even sweeter as it was the first time I had seen my friend since her cancer surgery and chemo.  She looked great, tired easily, but doing pretty well.  I thanked the Lord for that.  That time together was a joy and blessing.

I have saved the unforgettable “vacation” story until my post’s end.  The first day there, we received a call from the cabin realtor that our cabin was ready for us at 2 p.m.  Being a bit away from the cabin, we didn’t arrive there until about 3:15 p.m.  

We immediately noted that the trash can on the front porch was overturned.  The Husband uprighted it, and we unloaded the truck.  After we got inside, The Husband said, “I thought I might not tell you this, but decided maybe I will.  The trash bag inside the trash can was sort of shredded.  I think a bear might have turned it over.”  Well you can understand that I have enjoyed seeing bears on the side of the road of The Great Smoky Mountains in the past and I have enjoyed taking photos of them.  On the road.  From my car.  The thought that a bear might have turned over our trash can didn’t particularly make me warm and fuzzy.  Here’s a photo of the front porch, the front door, and the trash can.

The next morning we left for Cades Cove at 6:00 a.m.  Pitch darkness at 6:00 a.m. in The Great Smoky Mountains.  The Husband had backed the truck in the driveway which made my entrance to the truck on the opposite side of the cabin.  I told him I would not go around without a light.  There might be a bear.  He kind of did that “husband eye roll thing”….you girls know what I mean.   And you are thinking as you read this, “Oh no, there was a bear.”  Well no, luckily there was not a bear.  Or, at least I jumped in so quickly, I didn’t encounter it. 

We returned to the cabin around 2:00 p.m.  I sat in the rocker inside the den by the front porch window, The Husband reclined on the couch.  Watching television, of course, makes me sleepy along with the fact that I had rose very early for the 6 a.m. departure to Cades Cove.   And after all, it was a vacation. I said that I was going to lie down and take a nap.  As I got the bedroom, there was a noise from the porch and The Husband yelled, “Bear!”  There was a black bear at our trash can.  We both ran to the window, looked quickly and the bear scampered over the porch rail and headed down the side of the cabin.  Here’s a photo from the side window—it’s not very good as the camera flash kicked back, but you can see it.  The Husband said looked about 175-200 pounds. 

We hurried to the back deck which was safe but could not see the bear.  After looking again out the side window, we could see the animal trying the neighbor’s bear proof trash cans.  At this point, The Husband opened the door, peeked out to be sure the visitor had not brought friends and started to walk out into the cul-de-sac.   I told him to wait….”since you’re going out, take the camera”….duh.  One must prioritize.  We need a picture.  I quickly changed lenses so there would be the big one on the camera.  I stayed with my feet in the cabin.  If the bear ate The Husband and the camera, someone would need to call for help.  No need in all of us being eaten.  

Now keep in mind,  I take photos.  The Husband does not.  However, he did get another photo of the bear.  The bear was hanging on the outside of the deck rails on the neighbor’s cabin.  The bear was “walking” with his front paws on the deck rail, hanging on as he walked.  Then the bear dropped about 15’ to the ground and scampered off into the woods.  Here’s a photo…the bear is on the right side of the deck—the horizontal black blur you can see. I'm thinking if one could put a ranger hat on the bear, it would resemble "Smoky".  

So yes, another vacation to remember with memories of a different sort.  It was a "beary" great time!