Cataloochee Valley Tours-Heading to Elk Country!

Out the window photo of a young bull elk in the Cataloochie Valley!

Side of the road in the Cataloochie Valley. Elk meander all around you!

Bull Elk just after bugling setting up for mounting one of his cows!

APtravelnews-September 10th, Maggie Valley, at Cataloochee Valley-We took part in visiting the Cataloochee Valley area full of transplanted elk. The bulls were bugling their dominance over their herd of cows-quite a display! The occasion for this trip was an Eco-Tour and Picnic lunch with Cataloochee Valley Tours, Inc. Esther, the owner and tour guide put us in touch with the history and actual animals (Elk) that had been reintroduced to the area known as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We took in the beauty and grandeur of a place in time and history that, although now having the protection of it being designated a National Park, put us in touch within a living history of the way this place once was, untold years in the past. The only obvious hint that this area has taken on the veil of modernity, was the 3-mile tar road area of the valley (most of the other roads are gravel) and the (of a couple of hundred years of human habitation now gone from the park except for a few buildings left as monuments of this habitation) signs of old foundations left after so many homes were burnt down, during the course of turning many private lands into a park designation, and takeover of the lands of the Cataloochee Valley by the US Government for future protection against the inroads of commercialization.

Viewing the elk and the big adult bulls, hearing their bugling gave me the feeling of a palpable tingling on the back of my neck, I realized that I was being witness to a tableau that has played itself out season after season for many, many millennium, and for a moment- a mere quadrillion of a second, on a million-year timeline, I was there touching the face of Gods handiwork “again!”

Esther, our Naturalist Guide was responsible for this opportunity! She is, and will be a teacher of visitors to this wild and natural area for a long time!

Esther Blakely – Certified Master Naturalist

(828) 450-7985 – cataloocheevalleytours.com

Images of the Week! A Catskill River-the Beaverkill!

On the Beaverkill River up in the Catskill Mountains! Brown Trout have taken over what for millenniums was a Brook Trout River. But, that’s OK, they fight great and are a terrific sport fish from Germany!

**Beaverkill River fly fishing action!**

Barb and I fishing in the Catskills! Note the street sign — **Note the street sign: Brook Trout Road. We fished the Beaverkill and always stopped anywhere we thought we could cast to brookies, my favorite native species!**

**Enjoying a trout lunch in the Catskill Mountains! Note the Beaverkill River out the window!**

A Few Great Days In Florence, AL. Part 1 of 5

**A view from the tower towards Pickwick Lake. This Marriott Hotel was excellent in every way!**

APtravelnews-October 23^rd—Florence, AL. and Lauderdale, County is quite progressively moving forward with offering locals and visitors some of the best historical, modern as well as iconic music entertainment and even spiritual attractions, excellent restaurants and accommodations that AL. has to offer. Barb and I, thanks to the very professional, yet extremely friendly, Georgia Carter Turner from Florence and Lauderdale Tourism Development Council, brought us in to familiarize us with many opportunities that all visitors can take advantage of as well.

We stayed at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Conference Center, which offered excellent buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinners at Swampers Restaurant (see images of our meals) comfortable rooms and even an indoor and outdoor impressive swimming pool and spa. The staff was very pleasant and friendly; the elevator never kept you waiting- it was as fast as any I have ever experienced. The beds were perfect! It’s tough to be comfortable traveling and bed-hopping, but here we slept comfortably and bedded down on the 6^th floor watching vast sunsets and sun-ups over a panoramic view of hill and dale, viewing the nearby waters of Muscle Shoals and the Tennessee River. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/msimc-marriott-shoals-hotel-and-spa/

Salmon and sauteed Brussel,Sprouts at Swamper's Restaurant in the lobby area of the Marriott! — **Salmon and sauteed Brussel,Sprouts at Swamper’s Restaurant in the lobby area of the Marriott!**

**Welcome Center new and special for Florence, Lauderdale and every visitor!**

Steak and fried green tomatoes. Even Pres. Bushes favorite vegetable (not) Broccoli! Dat's a meal! — **Steak and fried green tomatoes. Even Pres. Bushes favorite vegetable (not) Broccoli! Dat’s a meal!**

Early Monday morning, writer Rebecca McCormick from Hot Springs Arkansas and I were scheduled to fish Pickwick Lake with Guide Lance Walker. It sure was cool traveling at 75-miles per hour with his Skeeter Boat powered by a 250-hp Yamaha, but we got to cover plenty of water and with a bit of a cold-front, the fish had a bit of lockjaw. Fortunately, we carried Click-It Hot Hand Warmers. Lance loved using these near instant reusable units in his hands and on his back too. Fortunately we had the right guide. Lance knew where they lived and we popped a 9-pound largemouth, a 4-pound smallmouth and a few additional bass in the 4-pound range. Plenty of great fish to photo and release (see images). Overall a fabulous fishing adventure! www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1466300-pickwick-bass-fishing-showing-out-again

After a wash-up, we headed for lunch and ice cream at Trowbridge’s on Main Street in Florence. The diminutive place is an iconic, very reasonably priced lunch spot with ice cream to cry for “more. Along with the lively crowd, we enjoyed sharing this long-time fun-spot that felt like a throw-back to the 50’s. Pimento Cheese sandwiches were long time favorites, and I had a Butter Pecan Milk Shake that I can’t wait to taste again-WOW! www.yelp.com No there was more to come: Stay tuned for our dinner at Ricatoni’s Italian Grill and later; Arx Mortis Haunted attraction, back door tour. It was so spooky and really scary! Note: See lots more in next posts about our whirlwind adventures in Florence and Muscle Shoals, AL. Check out their website at: www.visitflorenceal.com We’re Going back for sure!