Category: Wildlife Encounters

Scenes from Tennessee

~ Spence's Girl ~ 2 Comments
Driving into Cades Cove, what a thrill
Look closely, a momma bear and two cubs
Momma bear and one cub moved along then realize this one is lagging behind
Momma bear calls and he takes off running
Old Mill
Old Mill
Roses
I had to take this photo
Local wine
My nightly routine, wine at sunset from my deck
I love this photo, my view of peaceful Wears Valley with the little white church in the foreground.

Tennessee Travels

~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment

Road trip 2021, arrived on Memorial Day hours early for my Wears Valley cabin check-in. Already in nearby Townsend it was time to let my vacation begin, starting with an impromptu wine tasting at Cades Cove Cellars, stocking up on wine…. since I was there anyway. Next on to drive Cades Cove Loop, 11 miles, one lane/one way road. The 11 miles is leisurely and slow-moving easily 2-3 hours which lined up with my check-in and a perfect choice as this place is everything I love about Tennessee. My #1 Tennessee trip goal is to see a black bear every trip – hopefully more than one. Photos never truly capture the majestic mountains, abundant meadows and that sky above… what I’d imagine heaven looks like. 

And on this first vacay day, I had my first bear sighting, check!

First 2021 black bear sighting, grazing (at some distance) you can see his head is up and make out his ears. Every time I see them it’s a thrill.  Every single time. 

 

 

Tennessee – Cades Cove

~ Spence's Girl ~ Leave a comment
This yearling bear walked right next to my car. Thrilling!

There’s something about the Great Smoky Mountains that connects with my soul, a sense of peace that I crave. After rescheduling my May trip due to Covid-19 lockdowns, I made the trip this month and immersed myself in the beauty and calm of the Smokies.

One of the first things on my list was to drive the Cades Cove loop. It’s an eleven mile, one way, slow and scenic drive with a high likelihood of seeing wildlife. It never disappoints.