Trip to the Mountains

Hi again. Back with some pictures, and before I share those, I should answer a question posed by a UK blogger as to why I used the term 'punkin' instead of Pumpkin. Well, most properly, Pumpkin _is_ correct term. However, here in the South USA, the regional idiom is primarily 'punkin'. That can refer to the item or it can also refer to a sweet little child. F'instance, when our daughter was very small, Punkin was one of her nicknames. Sugar (pronounced Schug-AH here in the South) is another term of endearment, either for a child or a loved one! Some sweet Scottish blogger recently explained to me what a Hoolie was (Thanks Kate!). Anytime I use a term that is odd to you, please do ask me, and I'll try to explain. I find the different terminologies used by all of us - that mean the same thing but we use another word - to be so very much fun & interesting. To me, that's just one of the joys of this blog hobby. Hmmm...maybe I should add Hoolie & Punkin (and Sugah) to the Blog-i-nition section. Also do check the tab Cards by Friends for a nifty Halloween card we received last week.

Ok, on to the mountain ride pics. I'll just share a few so I won't bore you to death. I tried to share some that had the lovely blue color of sky that we refer to as Carolina Blue - when it's an intense shade, with absolutely no clouds to be seen. I will keep these photos in the small size.

Entrance

 

The water in the picture is part of a reservoir that supplies water to many counties that are quite distant from here.

The blue haze that can be seen in the pictures is part of what makes up the name Smokey Mountains. This particular area is not part of the Smokey Mountain chain (at least I don't think it is) but I think it is considered part of the Applachian Mountain chain. We've been to the Smokies and it looks very much like what is shown here. Actually we're not seeing a real blaze of color, as it has not been that cold in the area as yet. Next week would be an even better show, but a Ranger told us rain is expected Tuesday - Wednesday, so the rains will wash off a lot of the leaves. We were glad we chose to go out today. It was just very lovely. Wish I could have shared the magnificent sun & scenery with all of you who are enduring the nasty rain & storms around the world.

DH looking at an old truck that was parked outside Aunt Sue's, a famous restaurant up in this area. Very rustic & atmospheric, some nice gift shops to enjoy...only the restaurant was open by the time we got there, about 4:30 pm. We were lucky to still get a meal!

Some decorations in front of the restaurant. It's a very pretty place to eat and the food was good too. Had some delicious ice cream - pumpkin pecan & cherry amaretto. Yum.

DH, SIL, and Bro #2 and Sunshine the Schnauzer at Cesaer's Head. Everyone loved the dog, and she doesn't like strangers, so had to be very careful with her that she didn't upset somebody!!

 

Hoping to make some pretty screen savers of the leaf closeups. Isn't that hanging rock something? Who knows how long it's hung this way.

OK...that's it for now. Hope I didn't put you to sleep, and that you enjoyed seeing a little part of the area that we call home.

One more little story and then I'll close: In Europe, small hamlets are called Villages. Here in the USA, they are called 'towns', and the South is literally dotted with tiny little towns. One close to us is called Pumpkintown (yes there is a sign to let you know what the name of the little town is named), and we traveled through it this afternoon to get to the Mountain Park. All the locals call it Punkintown!!! Have a great week. Thanks for visiting tonight. Big Hugs.