Goodbye Skiers; Hello Horses

Apr 022013
 
Cataloochee Ski

Cataloochee Ski was eerily quiet on Sunday.

Congratulations to our neighbors Cataloochee Ski Area who closed for their 52nd season on Saturday after a record 149 days of skiing this year.  With an early October snow and tremendous snow making ability, they had a fantastic season.  Since they are our next door neighbor, it is amazing how quiet things get when they close for the season.  We look forward to their return in late October / early November as the weather permits.

QNTE

Queen Natasha the Evil says to wake her when the horses return.

The change of seasons here also mean our other neighbors, Cataloochee Ranch, will welcome their horses back on Wednesday!  The horses winter in much warmer climates, but return to their 1000+ acre ranch in early spring.  The Herd loves seeing their “big dog” neighbors back in their fields.

If you want a really unique vacation, rent a cabin at the ranch and enjoy horseback rides along their many fabulous trails – including one right past Chez Herd!  Ok, ok, the fact that the ranch and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park share a boundary might be more interesting to most tourists, but we will still wave and woo if we see you.  (Fine, the hu-dad reminds us that we are not allowed to woo when the horses pass by, but you get our point).

Horses

Though this picture is from last summer, the horses return to Cataloochee Ranch Wednesday!

Of course, since our way into the valley and town is through the ranch, we do have one of the more unique rush hour traffic scenarios.  In case you are curious, the horses always have the right of way!

Traffic jam

This time of year, we trade skier traffic for different traffic jams.

P.S. – As required by all of those obnoxious disclosure laws, we want to be clear that we have no financial interest in – nor do we receive any compensation from – our wonderful neighbors Cataloochee Ranch and Cataloochee Ski Area (or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for that matter).  They are all three just fantastic neighbors and we like to see them do well.

What Cheesewhiz Wishes We Were Doing Today

Aug 252012
 

With cool mornings and leaves starting to change, Cheoah is already dreaming of doing her world famous Cheesewhiz Snow Slide.

And just in case you think we are being crazy, Cataloochee Ski, our next door neighbor, is already counting down the days to the first skiing of the season (earliest opening was October 28).

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PBH

Come join us on the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop and meet some new friends.

Snow Skiing Anyone?

Jul 152012
 
Snow Skis

We seem to be missing only one important element – SNOW.

The collection of snow skis above are mounted on a fence at the Cataloochee Ski Area - which is one of our regular walking areas from the house.  Only 4 months until the slopes will be open.  Think cold!

 

A Mixed Scene

Apr 232012
 

A weird mix of a scene from our field if you look closely (don't worry, we will point it out in the next two pictures).

Snow

To the left, the very last snow we could spot at our neighbors, Cataloochee Ski.

Horses

And, to the right, a few of the horses grazing in the green fields of Cataloochee Ranch.

Hiking

Oh, well, at least spring means lots of hiking on our favorite trails.

P.S. – And the other thing about spring in the mountains (ok, well any time in the mountains) – the weather is very unpredictable. The pictures above were taken just before lunch Sunday. Here it is at 7:30 pm Sunday evening and the temperature is hovering at freezing and a mix of rain, snow and sleet is falling. The weatherman had warned of a chance of snow showers tonight, so no telling what we will actually get. Maybe that little patch of snow has a little more life in it. (Before anyone asks, we have seen snow here into May).

Signs of Spring

Mar 192012
 
Cataloochee Ski

A sure sign of spring, our neighbors at Cataloochee Ski have closed their 51st season - and plan to re-open November 1.

Tree

And you can barely see it, but our favorite tree is beginning to bud out for the spring. And, of course, the red team is enjoying walking through our field.

Snow – Sort Of

Mar 052012
 
Frankie

Can you see it? Come on. Look close. On Frankie's black fur.

Frankie 2

How about an out of focus close-up? The flecks of white? Yep, this winter, that actually counts as snow.

Cataloochee Ski

Our neighbors at Cataloochee Ski might be making a lot more man-made snow than we were having natural snow.

Tree

Our poor field still does not show any of the great white stuff.

The irony is that we went under a Winter Weather Advisory Sunday night for 2-3 inches of snow overnight, but that will not be anywhere near enough to keep the hu-dad home to play with us. It will all be melted before he is back home.

Clear Days

Feb 182012
 
Clear

A clear, blue sky day at Cataloochee Ski.

Walking

So we are out for our normal walks. How are you spending your weekend?

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Snow?

Dec 142011
 

Looking down our field, we see our neighbor, Cataloochee Ski, is busy making snow.

The weather is finally cold enough that they can make snow for more than just a few hours at night.

The skiers were enjoying parts of the resort while other trails were being covered with freshly made snow.

So do you think The Herd was impressed with our neighbor's snow making ability.

Frankie says wake us when the snow is in OUR field.

Snow at the Neighbors

Nov 132011
 

We were just hanging out in our field enjoying a beautiful day.

And admiring our favorite tree when we noticed something different at our neighbor's.

So we wandered down to the edge of our field for a closer look.

Opening Day!

Yes, our neighbor, Cataloochee Ski, opened for their 51st season of skiing.  The snow guns fired up Thursday and they are working hard to open the entire ski area.  You can always check out their webcam to watch the fun.

Since our regular “around the neighborhood” walk includes walking in front of the ski lodge, our walk was a little more crowded this weekend, but we did get lots of attention and ear scratches, so that is ok.

Fall Brilliance

Oct 092011
 

Saturday was absolutely beautiful and the fall colors at our elevation are brilliant.  We thought we would just share some scenes of the fall colors today from our hikes near the house. Click on any picture to bigefy.

Looking up toward Hemphill Bald from the Sunrise parking area of Cataloochee Ski.

Looking from our field, Cataloochee Ski preparing for the first snow and skiers.

Looking toward Soco Gap from Cataloochee Ranch.

Viewing Devil's Britches from Cataloochee Ranch.

View from top of Waterrock Knob.

Looking down to Maggie Valley from Waterrock Knob.

Looking across Maggie Valley to Ghost Town (Cataloochee Ranch - and where we live - can be spotted by the open fields above and the top of the chair lift to Ghost Town).

Need a picture of The Herd? Rusty shows how everyone reacted after walking in the crisp fall air all day.

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