Tuesday evening, we played hookie from bible study. It was such a beautiful and clear day that I suggested we go ride to the Great Smoky National Park. My husband and kids were excited about the idea. So off we headed to the mountains. The entrance to the Great Smokies is only about 20 minutes from our home. We are truly blessed to live in this beautiful land of mountains.

As we neared the Oconoluftee Visitor Center, we noticed cars stopping and parking by the road. Out in the fields, we saw a several elk. The elk were introduced back into the Great Smokies several years ago and seem to be surviving well. They have several new calves every year to keep the numbers growing. It is always an awesome site to see such beautiful animals that were created by God back in their natural habitat.

I love seeing the male elks lock horns.  It is a battle for the territory!

I was surpised by the amount of elk in this field.  They are usually over in the Cataloochee Valley.  This is also a beautiful area to go visit.  It is very similar to Cades Cove.

Here is a precious picture of a momma elk with her baby.  I just love how protective she is of her baby.  She never left her side.

Here is a another baby grazing in the field.

After we left the elk, we headed on to the top of the mountains.  We stopped at Newfound Gap.  By this time, the sun was setting just behind the mountain.

At the top of the mountain, you can stand in 2 states at once!

I just can’t get enough of this gorgeous view.  The pictures just do not do this view the justice it deserves.

Here are the kids at a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Again, these pictures just do not do the view any justice what so ever.  It was absolutely gorgeous at Morton’s Overlook.

After we left Morton Overlook, we headed on u p to Clingman’s Dome.  By this time, the moon was getting high, as the sun was setting. My husband took these pictures to try and capture the moon as well as the sunset.  I think he did an awesome job.

As the sun set, the sky turned a gorgeous red/orange.  It was absolutely amazing.  As I was standing on top of this mountain, I could feel the presence of God.  Just knowing that he spoke the words,

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 
4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 

7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 
8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. 
 9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 
10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Yes, everything God did was good. 


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