Well the Dudley Family went on a vacation to Cade's Cove in Townsend Tennessee and planned to stop by the North Alabama home of the Wilson family on the way home to pick up my deer skull from Solana.  I traded Skyler a knife to take the skull home from Texas and do a European mount of the skull for me and I was anxious to get it in my hands.

We had a great time in Cade's Cove and took pictures of some really great bucks and a few bears as well.

Here are a few of those pics:

 

 

 

 

 

I am always suprised at the people who do not know about Cade's Cove.  In my mind, it is the Yellowstone of the East.  

Anyway, we had a great time there, but a huge freak storm blew in closing all major roads, killing four people and injuring dozens of others.  The damage made it hard to get around.  In fact some roads were closed for up to a week.

We decided to head down to Alabama a day early.  When we showed up, Don suggested that since we had an extra day to spare we should go bowfishing that night.  Reed and I were not hard to convince.

I have been to Cades Cove several times while riding the Harley and it is definetly a place to visit if you are ever in the area.

So we went out to a great little bar b q place for dinner and then got the girls all tucked in for the evening before we went out to shoot some fish.  Being with Don and Sky is ALWAYS a treat and they are the epitome of gracious Southern hospitality.  

 

 

 

 

You just flat out cant have much more fun than that!

The next day we went out with the girls on the lake and had a big time tubing, noodling and sight seeing.  We owe Don and Sky a big thank you and hope to reciprocate the hospitality when they come down our way.

 

Osprey on Lake Guntesville.

Don, when you see this, how about post up the picture of Sky and me with the deer antlers.

Looks like all had a great time.      

Time spent with the Wilson's is always a treat!  Sounds like a great trip Gregg.  The one time that I went to the Smokey's Cade's Cove was closed for some sort of work.  I need to try that trip again!

The main part of Cade's Cove is something like 10,000 acres with an 11 mile paved driving loop through some beautiful Mountain scenery.  THere are old homesteads and churches from 100 + years ago.  But the main draw for me is the free-ranging deer and bear that abound in the area.  They are unpressured and very approachable as you can see from the pics above.  You definately need to give it a go again, Whip.  Drive it at 7 am and 7 pm this time of year and you will see tons of wildlife, but don't neglect midday.  If the berry crop is good you can see midday bear action.

   

Looks like a good time was had by all!      

Great pics, look's like a good time  

That's what its all about!

Great idea!  I am goIng to take my family this fall. Is a good time to go?

Never been there when the bucks had hard antlers, Joey, but I always wanted to!  I don't know what the bears will be eating then or where they might be, but there will be a lot less people when the kids go back to school.

My wife, in-laws, Cade, and Emmie mae are in Tenn. since Sunday. They are going to Cade's Cove tomorrow...unfortunately...I'm home working!

WOW! Great pics. You definitely have a talent for photography.

Gregg,
Looks like a fun trip...great pictures.  My favorite southern activity...time with the Wilsons!

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!  

Wish I could be in the cove with Cade as I am sure you do too, Curt.  I would love to see his face around all that wildlife.

I have had several comments about the pics here and in pms.  I appreciate the kind words.  My camera is a Nikon D5000.  I did rent a lens for the trip from lensrental.com.  The lens I rented is a Sigma 50-500mm and costs about $1500.  I rented the lens for ten days for @$125.  Now I have to decide if I want to buy one or rent one for trips...  decisions...

Really, I have to decide what to sell so I can buy the lens...