Cherokee National Forest & Tellicafe

A Big Thanks To Our Veterans

One of the things we wanted to do this fall was drive up on the Cherohala Skyway (TN-165, NC-143) and look at the colorful leaves and we finally made it on this day.  We were hoping for a clear day but unfortunately it was cloudy so the shots aren’t as good and even more unfortunately we needed to go about 10 days earlier when the colors were better and before the rains and wind came through and brought down most of the leaves.

But before we headed up on the skyway, we made a must stop is the Tellico Grains Bakery, which is famous in our area, to pick up a few goodies to take home.

Cindy had never been there and came out with a bag full.  

As we headed up the skyway, we decided to make a quick drive thru Indian Boundry, where we hadn’t been in many years.  It has a campground, picnic facilities, and a small pastoral lake with a beach for fishing and swimming.  As you can see, the hillside colors were pretty muted especially with the overcast skies.

But Teddy and Romeo still enjoyed pulling Bev and Cindy around the parking area and Buz got an interesting BD wish.

Here are a few shots from the skyway and we knew we were likely too late in the season, although there was some pretty colors along the road at the lower elevations.

This shot from the web is what we might have seen had we gone earlier.

Cindy also mentioned she had never been to Bald River Falls and since it was only five miles out of the way, we considered it a must stop while in the area.  Good water volume made for a pretty falls except for my finger.

It spite of the muted colors, it was still a very nice drive, especially along the Tellico River, and a pleasant way to spend a day.

From there, it was back into Tellico Plains for a late lunch at the Tellicafe.

Cindy started with a cup of Butternut Squash Soup and I ordered a bowl of Green Tomato and Country Ham Soup for Pat, Bev, and I to share.  The soups were both good but the green tomato one was outstanding AND we have the recipe, some green tomatoes, and Benton’s country ham so stay tuned.

For our meals Cindy had the Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Quesadilla appetizer ($6.99)

Pat had Chicken & Dumplings with sweet potato fries ($10.99)

Bev had Country Style Meatloaf with gravy, sweet potato fries and slaw ($10.99)

And I could not pass up the Cornmeal Crusted Catfish with green beans, collard greens, and hush puppies ($11.99)

We all generally enjoyed our meals with a couple of exceptions.  My catfish was very good and the sides would have been too had they not added sugar to them making both sweet tasting, which I just don’t care for.  They also added a little cinnamon sugar to the sweet potato fries and they were a big hit.  All-in-all, it was an enjoyable dining experience with great service and good food at a reasonable price.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

11/05/19 event date