That's a lot of photo editing and uploading for one day...

I'll share more of our adventures soon, I promise...

More of Gatlingburg, Tennessee...

It was a beautiful morning just to stroll along the streets of Gatlingburg, enjoying the warm weather, cool gentle breezes, and this spectacular view...

we ventured into beautifully decorated courtyards,

and in and out of a variety of little shops picking up a few souvenirs,

sat and rested on the little benches that lined the streets along the way...

we took photographs of more beautiful things,

I especially loved those mountain views...

which we quickly learned were used to lure you in with things like,

"Free Tickets!" and "Dinner and a Show!" By the end of the day, both Don and I were

dodging those sort of things!

By the time we finished walking through most of this, we headed back to our motel for a nice evening swim before heading out again for dinner.

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee...

The one thing that I wanted to do more than anything else! Can we say someone was scared of heights and that it wasn't me? LOL! I can only imagine the views and the photographs that I could have gotten...

...moving along...

On Sunday morning, we drove to Gatlinburg, paid for all day parking,

shot this photograph so I could recognize where we parked...

{see, honey, my photography skills do come in handy sometimes, LOL!}

and the ball sort of reminded both of our hometown's mysteriously revolving ball...

and I could have stood here half of the day,

just breathing in the rose-scented mountain air that morning...

or took in more of the small, scenic, secret little hide-away's nestled in here and there...

We loved the views as we once again continued south on our journey.

Closer and closer to the edge of the mountains...

and would you believe that somewhere along I-75 S and once we'd crossed over from Kentucky into Tennessee, we see a welcoming wave coming back to greet us?

Can you believe we ran back into our buddy, JB! He saw us coming up behind him and we just had to pull up beside him and wave once again! I told you it was destined to be...

{sorry, I didn't capture that event on the camera but it wasn't too far down the road from where I captured the photograph of this one...} And as early evening began to fall, we arrived safely in Pigeon Forge...

obtained us a room for the next few days and nights, and after settling in, we ventured out for a nice ride into Gatlinburg, before returning to Lonestar for amazing Rattlesnake Margarita!

More photographs from Cumberland Falls...

We learned that the light surrounding a full moon attracts a lot of visitors to Cumberland Falls as they travel to experience and witness a pretty unique event that often occurs here, called a moonbow. A moonbow occurs 2 days before and two days after a full moon and when certain conditions are met such as good weather, water temperature, significant mist rising, wind speed and direction, water clarity, clear skies and moonlight... and I just have a feeling those conditions were met if our trip on the 7th of June was any indication. I imagined it to be quite a magical and mystical event, sort of like stargazing for the lone shooting star. Definitely something I'd love to see and experience myself one day...

{After arriving home I discovered this photograph taken on the 6th of June one day before our visit... but I swear the magic was still in the air! I also learned that there was once an hotel on the site named the Moonbow Inn, how much more romantic could it get? and I discovered this photograph {from the Cumberland Falls website, I believe} that shows a more detailed view of the entire Falls area taken from up the path that Don and I ventured upon... it will provide you with a better overview of where Don and I later on in our photographs...}

After continuing to follow the trail, {which would be the left of the photo above} Don and I discovered ourselves making friends and exchanging cameras with other visitors once again.... and by trails, I don't mean the strewn-with-tree roots and loose gravel kind... the paved pathways and carved stone steps made getting here very easy for Don.

I climbed up and over some rocks and a few small trees to capture this shot...

I don't believe either of us were disappointed...

The people we met, the views of the falls, the wet breeze from the mist, and only the sight of a moonbow could have made it any better!

Cumberland Falls!

After our visit with JB, Don and I hit the road again after learning we were only a few more miles away from the Cumberland Falls area. We just had to stop so I could capture this photograph below!

Isn't it gorgeous? It isn't long after that we arrived at the Falls and discovered ourselves enjoying more lovely views as we walked along with the river right beside us.

I swear the pounding of my heart in anticipation of catching that first glimpse of the falls is mimiced by the rushing water as my adrenaline begins to soar! As we continue walking, this quickly comes into view...

Isn't it amazing! So strong and powerful, a perfect example of Kentucky's unbridled spirit!
Another shot... one I cannot wait to have blown up and framed!

Along the way to Cumberland Falls, Corbin, KY...

We learned from our first travel brouchure experience to check for more attractions close to and not so far off our beaten path along interstate traveling down I-75 South, but as soon as I spotted an advertisement for Cumberland Falls, just outside of Corbin, KY, I knew we had to get off and travel this well-beaten path! And I am so happy that we did! What an amazing experience it was...

A few miles from the falls is a wonderful overlook area, it isn't too big, as you can see but the views were absolutely amazing! It was here that we made our first new friend, JB Arnold, a truck driver out of Athens, TN. Have you ever felt as if you were destined to meet someone? Well, meeting JB was like that for me. He reminded me of my own daddy who also drove semi-trucks for a living, loved riding his motorcycle {when he was younger}. we instantly made friends with one another, chatted like old neighbors, exchanged cameras, and provided us with a Tennessee map! Thank you, my friend.... the pleasure of meeting you was all ours!!!

{Picture we took of JB...}

{Picture JB took of Don & I}...
Look at those views! {Be still my heart! }