It is early morning on the river near Boyd’s Creek just north of Sevierville, TN. The campground was OK but packed in and a bit noisy where we were but what a great view. We stayed here waiting for our next place in the GSMPN.
Desoto Falls /
Sometimes the angle is just not there, but then you find an old half concrete pipe in the side of the hill that sticks out abut 2 feet from the side and about 30 feet over the drop area and, there it is. Desoto Falls at Desoto Falls state park is actually a bit distant from the main park. Campground was nice and busy and the rain was off and on both days we were here but we still enjoyed this Alabama State Park in the Northeast corner of the state.
Rise Early /
“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NLT
Moose Rules #6 (3 photos) /
The movie is not yet out but the offers keep coming in. I am thinking of endorsing this remarkable invention, a pie you can carry in your hoof. Is that not spectacular. As lead spokesmoose, I will get a lifetime supply of these ingenious creations. I don’t think they know how much a moose of my stature can eat!
I also had to pose for numerous photos with my fans. This pretty lass gave me a great big hug when I was here for another possible product to endorse. The Driver has a review coming on Thursday for this place and I will be sure to add some better perspective to his account.
Another job, since I have not yet chosen who will be privileged to be my agent, is reading scripts. I cannot tell you the number of roles I am considering.
I have not yet been told when my movie is coming out but I will let you all know so you might get in line for some of my personal appearances. I plan to show up at them in my new, 1948, yellow Lincoln convertible. It unexpectedly has not yet been delivered.
I am including a photo from The Driver cause he gets cranky if I don’t and I just don’t need any negative vibe around my ascending film star status right now. But why did he pick a different perspective of Mount Denali and all I can see is Ms. McKinley. Another poor choice by the Driver.
Great new invention, just imagine what my Mooseyness will add to this package.
Yet another fan photo. Watch for some more info on Thursday.
Safe Place /
On the southern end of the Natchez Trace you can take a short drive to the town of Rocky Springs, MS. Don’t plan on finding a place for lunch, or gas or actually anything unless you are there the last Sunday of a month in the morning because there is still a church. And a safe. All that is left of this once large (1000 plus people) and thriving town are a few bits of foundation, a cistern or two and two old safes with no doors. Changes in the trace, travel, roads and both war and disease gradually eroded the town until the 1930’s when the depression caused the last people to leave. The nearly 200 year-old church is the only structure there and it was hard to reach in the rain. A fence closed off most of it and a muddy hill was also effective in keeping me away. So this shot is all I got and the safe. It was a lonely place, in the rain, no one around and just felt eerie.
Just the Top /
Rainbow Falls is one of the most popular short hikes in the Smokys. It is so popular that the path of over a mile is paved. We were there one day with a few hundred close friends all of us walking a few feet apart but when you arrive at the falls it was crowded. So CJH and I went past the falls almost now alone on the trail and I saw the top of the falls through the colorful trees and liked the perspective.
No Idea but They are Pretty /
On a plantation in the Cane River Historical Park these brilliant red flowers with no leaves emerged from the grass and were popping out all over. I found this group in front of one of the ancient oaks lining the walk from the river to the porch of the main house. Anyone know what they are actually called?
View and Moose Rules #5 (four photos) /
On our last morning before heading for home we hiked 1.5 miles to this overlook that is now overgrown so that your view is limited to peaks (snicker) through the foliage. It was still breathtaking.
What do you mean I have to share this space with you! Just because I was not up to writing on Saturday - it was after all a national holiday, does not mean I forfeit my rightful column. Well, sharing the space seems that you are only trying to build some readership on my antler’s magnificence but I’ll allow it this one time. I don’t guess they will put any more critical holidays on a Saturday, poor planning on the part of the National Conference on Choosing Holidays.
It is not easy being a star. People want your picture and endorsement and autograph all the time and the movie isn’t released yet. When it is I think I get mansion number 1 and a fancy new car. I am going for a convertible 1948 yellow Lincoln Continental with yellow paint and a 12 cylinder engine. Stars should have lots of cylinders. I ordered one the other day online. Choosing who to lavish my star power on is also tricky cause they want you to like the product. So, I’m open to ice cream, donuts, coffee and pink lily marsh grasses first. Once I set the new standard for these it is on to even fancier things like, well, I’ll look up what is fancier than these cause there must be something.
I will close with a couple of photos from my staring role in the yet un-named movie. Though I think “Mr. Moose Goes to Washington” is a pretty good title.
Some of my crew rehearsing.
Here I am relaxing between takes.
Did I tell you the Driver had to give the house back? I knew that would not last. Here is my personal chef team fixing me an omelet - we lost them too. I will hire them back with Mansion #1.
Suspended Red /
Just a neat little leaf hanging from a branch over a small rill in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The Midnight Hole /
This was a great hike. We drove from our campsite at Cosby in the GSMNP along a winding, narrow road for 12 miles. Then turned right along this even more narrow dirt road to an area known as Big Creek at the very Eastern edge of the Smokys. I first shot this from about 20 feet off the trail but as I was doing so I became aware of the second small falls that you see on the right and most of the color was on the right. So, i made my way to mid-stream on some mossy rocks as far as I could go to get this better angle. The pool is pretty deep and, according to the name in the middle of summer it is a deep blue color. This was a really nice spot and only 1.5 miles from the the start of the hike. It was all up hill but not too steep after the first couple of tenths. I would love to return to this spot and see it in the summer as well but the day could not have been better, with temperatures in the low to mid 70’s and lots of color still on the trees here. And I didn’t fall in.
“The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” Psalm 145:9 NLT
Happy Halloween /
I drove up a dead end road through the forest 8 miles to an abandoned tunnel and this is what I see perched over the tunnel entrance. Hope your day is full of good surprises.
They were waiting for their dad to launch a drone to get a photo of them. Mom was freaking out about them being too close to the edge. They were 30 feet over the trail.
Editor’s note: Moose Rules will appear on Tuesday instead of today because the Moose no longer works on holidays. Some sort of “star” thing.
The Day Before Halloween /
What if the light at the end of the tunnel is not what you expected?
See Dave Jenkins for Many More! /
Dave Jenkins photographed scores of these barns and turned them into a neat book: Rock City Barns, a Passing Era. Dave is a professional photographer and you can find his blog at - www.alifeinphotography.blogspot.com where you will find thoughtful prose and very interesting photographs. You really should read his posts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Or if you wish you can go directly to the post about the barns here: http://alifeinphotography.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-book-that-changed-my-life.html
I had hoped to find one in my travels and get an image. This one is perched on the edge of the highway between Cherokee and Bryson City but it won’t be here too long. The kudzu and time are taking their toll. I actaullly found a second one in better shape a bit south of Seymoure, TN along the Chapman Highway. I stopped a few hundred feet away but simply could not safely cross the highway. So it will have to wait until Johnson Homecoming in February. I almost was able to meet Dave on this trip but we were just not quite able to get the timing right. Next time I will make a better plan.
Rainbow Rocks /
The color kept shifting but it was so neat to see this 10 or 12 foot long color prism dancing across the waterfall spray.
"Double, double boil and bubble; icy cold and splashy babble."" /
If Shakespeare lived in the Smokies.
Toot Toot /
Most of the crew here at the house went for a ride on this neat train that is based in Bryson City NC. They all had a great time and said it was a very pretty ride with the fall colors along a river for the majority of the trip and a view of Lake Fontana. I choose to go and shoot photos instead but only found a few things other than the train. Still a nice afternoon poking around the town.
Cadillac Tracks - I was a boffo smash in my debut performance at Fabulous Jill’s movie There were some disappointments, no trailer for me, no fancy chair with my name on it and no Papa Rattzi. I guess they did not know how to find us because we were in a secret location. But what a day. I was in most of the scenes, I did not miss a line and I looked very hungry right on cue - one of my most outstanding qualities. I will write some more later but right now my PR firm says I need to keep this short until we can work out a more equitable financial agreement. I am holding out for $4.
Serenity /
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 NLT
Moose Rules Four /
What a week. Today I am in some town where I am probably starring in a movie or at least I will have a major part. So I spent the week working on seeing well with dark glasses, learning what a Papa Rattzi is and how to avoid them, perfecting my profile and looking completely disinterested. Also I practiced pretending to be serveral things because I don’t think Jill will make a western. So I am working on my timing for opera, comedy, drama and Disney. I hope it is Disney cause I look good in cartoon colors. I won’t have an immediate report on my spectacular success until Monday cause we stars don’t get up before 2 and the Driver insists this blog be ready by 6AM. Imagine. Well shortly that’ll change.
I can’t recall exactly what else happened this week. It may have involved hill, trees, water and food.
Just Before Dawn /
We went out at 5:15 to watch the Orionids a meteor shower that peaks near this time. Everyone saw several - I saw two, very brief ones. They get their name because they “appear” to come from Orion’s belt.
Cadillac Tracks - Are you ready for my big news? One of my many personal great friends is Jill. Or as she is known to me, Fabulous Jill. She is kind and wise and sophisticated and so you can see why we are such great friends for those are among my outstanding qualities too. What I did not know is that she is, Like Thomas, a Major Movie Maker (3M in the biz). And she is shooting her movie tomorrow. I talked the Driver into going because Fabulous Jill is, I am sure, going to give me an important role in the movie. Maybe Chief Gripper. My first step to stardom and I will be able to further impress Thomas with my IMBD number. What a day Saturday will be - soon to be a major national holiday.
Tom's Falls /
This beautiful little spot is just outside Bryson City, NC. We hiked a bit on two trails and viewed three waterfalls. I liked this one with the back lighting and the arch of the tree adding a bit of a frame.
Cadillac Tracks - I am having a hard time waiting for Saturday. My acting career is going to take off. All the details tomorrow. Now where do I want my second mansion?
