Sunday Picnic

Sunday April 24, 2001

Elkmont Campground

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Today is Easter Sunday

and the campground appears to be full. 

Lots of people enjoying this natural cathedral.

I know I am.

This morning I awoke to beautiful bird song

and the babbling stream.

Just love this campsite and am going to HATE to leave.

I could just stay and stay.

I love it even with the laundry hanging

Thought I might have time today to

introduce Chip.

He’s been a regular visitor most days

He seems to scour the patio for

maple seeds.

 

I treat him as the wild creature I'm

happy he is and just observe him as he goes about his business 

Check out those cheeks.

 

He doesn't seem to mind at all

having his picture taken.  So I have dozens

from multiple days <sheesh>

After taking care of some “business”

at the “office”

the view from my front "office window"

we returned to the Little River Trail

to get all those pictures we hadn't taken

because we were running

it is sort of our "neighborhood" trail

we've been on it many times

and know it fairly well by now

but we never tire of being here

it's always new and beautiful

The Little River has definitely become a favorite friend

This time we took a picnic lunch

 We stepped down right next to the

river when we had the chance.

 We don't YET have a Joby Gorillapod

so this was the best picture we could manage "by hand"

Joby is definitely moving up on the list.

We had a perfect picnic set up
with one log for table and

one for bench.

Thank you Mother Nature

 our log dining table view

These shots of tributaries flowing into the river

were taken on our return hike

The evening was spent getting a head start on

our “packing up to leave” procedure.

Checking tire pressures

(all TWELVE)

checking fluids

putting things in the basement

and then to bed for

“maybe” an early "on the road" in the morning.

Although somehow, even though we are early risers,

that seldom seems to happen.

Oh Well…………………J