Clinmans Dome

We drove up to Clingmans Dome this morning where it was breezy, foggy and in the 60s. It was still pretty and we saw some wildflowers in bloom we haven't seen for a while.



The climb to the top (6643 feet above sea level) was much easier in the coolness. The trail climbs something like 2000 feet in 1/2 mile - very steep.



There is a 50 feet high tower at the top of the mountain. The view was a bit restricted today!



On the North Carolina side, we stopped at a working grist mill where the Park Service grinds both wheat and corn to sell in visitor centers.



On the way back down to Gatinburg we stopped at Newfound Gap overlook - there was no fog and the view is spectacular:






The weather was great and our legs held up to the climb at Clingmans - what more could we ask for?

Ross and Dottie Frid
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Location:Smoky Mountain National Park

Alamo Steakhouse

Tonight we dined at this great place that does great steaks (Angus only) cooked over oak fires.









Probably the best steaks this side of Texas (Texas does steaks over Mesquite - a superior wood for beef.)



The restaurant is adjacent to one of the rivers for a nice setting.


Ross and Dottie Frid
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Location:Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains N.P.

We did an auto tour today because it was supposed to rain. We decided to start from the Sugarlands Visitor Center in order to get directions. While there Ross picked up a map for a short nature hike next to the center that goes to Cataract Falls.






Not much of a falls, but a fun walk anyways.

After the visitor center we drove the old Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail where we saw a bear on the road right away. After taking some pictures, we stopped at the Ogle Place, an historic homestead/farm located along a trail that was the original Gatlinburg road.



Following the road we got to a high overlook at GPS elevation 3331 ft above sea level.



Continuing on the loop, we followed Roaring Fork River and stopped at a spot that wasn't overrun with tourists (like us) to take some pics.






That was the junket for this morning.

Ross and Dottie Frid
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Location:Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Crystelle Creek Restaurant

We ate here tonight based on local recommendation.



Ross had grilled fresh rainbow trout and Dottie had chicken and broccoli alfredo. The food and service were superb. The new owner has had this restaurant for only three weeks, but it was packed.



There was live entertainment. The building is built over the creek on pilings and done tastefully rustic.

Ross and Dottie
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Smoky Mountains Craftsmen Guild tour

The original plan was to wait till mid-morning and go to down town Gatlinburg and take the aerial tram up the mountain. Well, best laid plans and all... We went for a quick recon trip to the craftsmen guild loop road to check it out and see what we might want to do later in week. A quick stop yielded a giant bear carved from a section of tree (yep it fit the van) then a second stop yielded a few candles, and so on. We stopped in a leather shop and I ordered a custom tooled holster and would have it done later this afternoon. He turned us on to great place to eat lunch:



The Wild Plum, and Ross had lobster pie and Dottie had chicken salad. They were fantastic - both of them.

Found a new girlfriend for george:



And we got some garden ideas:



After lunch and waiting to pick up holster, we drove to park visitor center to get map, tour suggestions and the obligatory hats.


Tomorrow is another day. Perhaps another try for the tram and Hard Rock Cafe?

Ross and Dottie Frid
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Location:Dreamers Cove Way,Gatlinburg,United States

First Morning

Watching the mountain fog burn off over the Smoky Mountains

Ross and Dottie Frid
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Location:Mountainloft Resort,Gatlinburg,United States

Mountainloft

Arrived (finally) at Mountainloft - can you say view?



This is the view from the patio (balcony) table. We are on the top floor.



We're hoping for a nice sunset one day.

Tomorrow the tram.

Ross and Dottie
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Gatlinburg (soon)

Soon we leave for a week at Mountainloft in Gatlinburg. You can follow our travels via posts on Facebook.




Ross and Dottie
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Bok Tower Gardens

Because of my interest in anything related to works of Frederick Law Olmsted, we decided to explore Bok Tower Gardens. Olmsted spent a good portion of his career working with Bok creating a pleasing sanctuary for the preservation of some of Florida's remaining sand plains ecosystem.






The Bell Tower






Sandhill Crane



The sun dial




- Posted from my iPhone 4

Canaveral National Seashore

This National Park was really a spinoff of the space program. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was formed of the land not needed for the space launch program and joins with the "north unit" National Park to comprise the National Lakeshore.

Today we toured the whole thing by auto and foot and saw wildlife in only a few locations. Even with recent rains the area is in drought and wildlife is concentrated around the few water sources.













- Posted from my iPhone 4

Universal Studios Citywalk

What a crowd! And this is shoulder season.



NASCAR restaurant (for George).



Another view



The dinner venue. This is the largest HRC in the chain.



All around the walls are memorial displays to famous musicians - many of the more modern ones have played here. The group Chicago plays tomorrow night.










Dinner was awsum, as usual for HRC.

- Posted from my iPhone 4

Airboating on Lake Kissimmee

Today we decided to do an airboat ride on Lake Kissimmee through the edge marshes.















"Cruising thru the cypress looking for gators.



One of the active osprey nests on the lake. We could see the babies.



No, Dottie... you CAN'T take it home!

Tonight it'll be dinner at Hardrock Cafe.

- Posted from my iPhone 4