Cades Cove in the heat of the summer

 We went to Cades Cove Sunday.  It was HOT, so not too many animals out and about.  The flowers were pretty.  First we saw some gladiolus in the edge of the woods.  The trees are growing up so that they don't bloom as well as they would out in the open.  This one looks so delicate.

 The Rosebay Rhododendron was in full bloom all along the highways especially next to the streams. 

 And there ARE bears in the cove too.

 This is the waterfall when you first leave the Townsend Y, headed toward Cades Cove.

It was nice that Jimmy could take a day off for us to just be together.

Bear in the GSMNP

I thought I saw a ....BEAR!!!! Not very good, but I finally saw one, and actually captured a couple of photos, nothing to brag about though. Promised I would post these if I could before I left. These were taken yesterday. All the other photographs I took on Wednesday will have to wait until I return from vacation.

Only got one good one before he turned and went up the hill. For once, nobody chased him. Everybody stayed at the side of the road. Unless they followed after I left. When the bear left, I left. I have heard the park rangers can and will give tickets for chasing the animals. Should.

Darla got her snake, I got my bear. Darla, it didn't affect my appetite unless you consider right after this I was as hungry as a ........