Townsend Retreat

For Birch's graduation from seminary last December, my parents gave us a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast in Townsend that we "cashed in" last weekend. We stayed at the Richmont Inn which is a gorgeous b&b (and my first one ever) that also breeds and trains Westies. I can't describe how relaxing it was to be in such a quiet place. I'm not used to any form of quiet, not even grey shades of the definition.

After my favorite meal ever, fried green tomatoes and sweet tea (if I ever end up on Death Row, this will be my request), we took a drive through Cades Cove. Even the weeds there are pretty. We decided that we have officially become middle-aged. We were right there with the old timers getting our nature pictures. Birch said we're not too far off from bird-watching.



We got to see a daddy bear amble across the field. I grabbed my camera and got out of the car as he grabbed the tree nearest me and made his ascent. When he got to the top, he began to throw things down. I thought this was a funny sign of aggression since he was, after all, a bear and could have ripped any of us to shreds. A mile or so later, we were alone on this stretch of road and got the biggest treat of all. Mama and three cubs crossed right in front of our car. I, of course, opened the car door and stood on its ledge and tried to get some decent pictures. It was dusk and my flash is not as strong as my lens, so most were rather blurry. This happy family literally walked right past our car, less than 8 feet from where I stood. It was the highlight of our trip. The top picture is the cub and underneath is daddy.


A special shout-out to my parents who offered to take the kids and got the dog as an added bonus. We always like to give a little more than what is expected. Thanks, Gramma and Big for a wonderfully refreshing weekend!