December 4-8, 2009.  Our friends Nancy and Shelly from Naples, FL came up to see us.  We had a fun 5 day visit with them.

Nancy taking Maggy outside for a potty break.  You can't see it but it is snowing a little.

Saturday we headed up to Mercier Orchard to stock up on apples and cider.

Here is their cart when we are close to leaving.

Then we went to Blue Ridge to ride the train up thru the mountains to Copper Hill, Tennessee where you have 90 minutes to shop and eat.  Then an hour ride back to Blue Ridge.

Reindeer

A bluegrass band walked thru the cars playing bluegrass music and Christmas carols.

Studying the walking map of the town we are headed to - trying to decide where to eat when we get there.

Sunday we walked the Appalachian Trail   We walked about 60 or 70 miles.  There was some snow in the mountains.

Break time.

Where's Waldo?  Can you spot Shelly?

Oh great.. bears.

Waiting on the women.

Monday we went to the Old Sautee Store to stock up on candy.

Then we went to Anna Ruby Falls.  This is the main entrance.  From here it is a half mile walk to the falls.

Oh great.  Rattlesnakes.

Crossing a bridge on our way up the mountain to the falls.

A tree growing out of a rock.

     
We made it to the falls.

Heading back down the path to the car.  They told us that so far this year 700,000 people have visited here.  I am glad we were there on a weekday.  It was deserted.  Then Tuesday we relaxed and went to the movie '2012'.  That night Janis and Nancy went to Bunco while Shelly and I stayed home.