Schaeffer's Third Birthday

Gotta gear down on this steep grade!

That's a big Ten-Four, buddy!
Sure, it's a tough job! But somebody's gotta do it!

Yep, the lugs are tight! Let's roll!

Hey, you guys got the freight loaded?

No breaks until we are loaded!
Have wheels will travel.

Cake?! Forget the cake! Let's have the heavy equipment!

Yummy!

Just how does this thing work?

It's all in a day's job.

Powered up!

Good night, big guy! Sweet dreams!

Let's feature Griffin

Reflecting!

Inspecting!
Giggling!

Celebrating!

What a sweet boy!

Ethan at the Sugarlands Stone House

It would have been easy to miss this incredible structure if we had not downloaded the coordinates. I chose not to take pictures of us crossing...er...wading the creek and scrambling up a steep bank through thick rhododendron.

Boys + rocks+ water=fun
All that remained of an old lodge was a shell of stone walls.

If stones could speak, they would tell some fascinating stories.

Cades Cove with Lily

Lily, Granddad and Grandmama hiked to the John Oliver cabin in Cades Cove.

Why does a simple lunch always taste so delicious in the mountains?

Lily enjoyed using her hiking stick that Grand-dad made for her birthday.


Imaginary tadpoles and salamanders beckoned.


"Reindeer" grazed peacefully in the field.

No more streams to cross. Sigh...

Grandmama with little hikers

Sugarlands Adventures

Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains

Sugarlands with the Grandkids January 2010