Niece Chrissie and husband Chris spent 1 ¾ days with us, and we enjoyed every moment. Daughter Lise hadn’t seen her cousins since they were together in Lisbon a few years ago. Here they are on a mountain overlook.
They brought a very special Christmas gift, Chris’ ornament for 2021, a hockey player. He designs and makes the ornaments based on some event from the current year. I forgot to ask if there was a story connected to this one.
There was one of his older ornaments hanging from our mantel. I enjoyed watching Chris give it a tune-up, gently bending the wires to restore it or give it a slightly different shape. It’s not often you see an artist revisit his work. John hadn’t started decorating for Christmas, so the rest of the ornaments were still packed away.
Chris also said the angel on the mantel is unique. After making ours, he changed the way he finished the wings. It’s exciting to know we have this one-of-a-kind piece. I found I had the angel backward when I took the photo. Chris’ blog is here if you’d like to see more, including the angel facing the correct way.
We ate barbecue at Butts on the Creek, a restaurant with a lovely view of the water. This is upstream from the point where John and I see it on our morning walk.
Going to Cataloochee Valley to see elk is a popular tourist activity. Sometimes the animals are not in sight at all, but we were treated to quite a show. We spotted the herd and stopped the car. Chrissie was probably taking the photo on the left from her side of the car, and I snapped one of a buck approaching on my side.
Chris caught the elk passing John’s window, followed by one of me as I focused on the animal.
On the way out of the valley, we stopped at an overlook where a stranger took our photo.
Chrissie’s post about their visit is here.
This was a whirlwind visit, but oh! so very special!
Mehrling Muse 
What a pleasant surprise Anne! I bet they hang around the road for tourists to feed them!
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People are not supposed to feed the elk. There are warning signs all over the area warning people to stay in their cars and not to touch them.
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I am intrigued by those beautiful ornaments
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Chris has made mobile ornaments to give away for 15 to 20 years. We are thrilled to have them. Chrissie was wearing earrings that he made for her, also miniature mobiles.
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Oh I must go back to look!
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I doubt the earrings showed under Chrissie’s long hair.
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Wow! Those elk were right outside the car!
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One was licking our tires. We’ve had the animals walk right by our car before, but this was the closest we’ve ever seen them.
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What a wonderful visit. Chri is a very talented artist. I can see the family resemblance between Chrissie and Lise.
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I think they would both be pleased to hear that.
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I am glad you had such a good visit, looks as though you packed a lot into the time. Love the pictures of t he ornaments. I am always intrigued by people’s abilities and gifts. Liked the pictures of the elk. We have a place not far from us where people go to see elk, but we haven’t gotten there yet. That one was really close to the car!
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This was the best sighting of elk we’ve had, and we’ve been going there for seven years.
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These are lovely ornaments–facing either direction! I enjoyed the links–thanks for adding context!!
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As you probably guessed, Chris and Chrissie are very special to us.
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Those ornaments are really unique – how nice of Chris to give you one each year. The company was nice and the visit probably sped by. I am intrigued by those elk. You have showed them before, but never up that close! That one by the window clearly giving you and John the side-eye! What a lucky find of a herd of elk so close to the car.
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The visit was short and fast-paced. We had elk almost that close once before, but I might not have gotten good photos. Several were taken by both Chris and Chrissie.
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It might have been before I followed your blog too – just amazing seeing them that close up.
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Thank you for being such gracious hosts. So many happy memories! Love you lots. ❤
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It was a delight to have you here.
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What lovely ornaments. Unique indeed!
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So beautiful picture. Beautiful place. So nice click you that’ picture. I like. 👌🌷
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What a lovely visit!
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I marveled especially, at the photos of the elk so near your vehicle! I had that experience with buffalo one time as I took a nephew through a nearby wildlife preserve. There is something magical about being in the presence of such a large mammal and being able to literally look it in the eye. What a special experience, Anne! I loved the ornaments too – so creative!
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💗💗
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I am glad you are savvy enough to stay in the car around the elk. It is sad that people have to be reminded that large animals are not Disney characters. I loved the metal work, particularly the angel.
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I love that angel. It is quite sturdy, enough that I suggested Logan use it as a target one time. He was playing with our grandchildren’s nerf guns
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Too funny.
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What a fun 1 3/4 days you had. I love the ornaments, very unique and beautiful.
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