Cape Smokey!

Terry, Richard and I headed up to Cape Smokey this morning to go downhill skiing! it was sunny and bright, and very mild! Richard doesn't ski, so Terry and I took to the slopes around 11 am while Richard walked around and had a good time watching us and the rest of the skiers.
Cape Smokey has been around for a while and for the past few years has been run completely on a volunteer basis. I find this so amazing! They only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 - 4pm...and there is a cafeteria serving burgers and fries etc. For a very nominal fee you can get your lift ticket and equipment if you need it. It's been 2 years since we have been skiing, and before that it had probably been 2-4 years! So not in the best physical shape i might add! But i used to be a pretty good skier, and it is like riding a bike, you never quite forget. However, i did feel a bit on the nervous side at the beginning of the first run! They only have a pommel lift open, no seat on the chairlift every 5 minutes -- so after a couple of hours we were suffering from pretty tired legs! We stopped for lunch, and then headed out again. I have to say, it is pretty alarming just how much my muscle mass has deteriorated! So, i'm getting on an exercise regime cos we want to be able to go back a few times this year. see here for a shot of the actual ski hills!

Home now, just about to grab a beer and sit by the fire! A very satisfying feeling for sure!

This is coming back down Cape Smokey (the road)on our way home, and what you see ahead is the famous Cabot Trail image that is used in most tourist ads! it is pretty breathtaking for sure.