The main place to view elk is over a mountain that I can see from my house. It takes an hour to get there on twisty mountain roads, some not paved. We were blessed to see many, including one very young one. Lise’s friend Toke had good shots of it, but I don’t have one yet. I had them pose on a foot bridge over the main stream in Cataloochee Valley, a section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We saw many clumps of butterflies fluttering on the ground. Lise had a good picture of one, and I had a slow motion video.
As we headed home, several elk crossed the road. They are not afraid of vehicles and are quite used to seeing humans in their car-cages. There are warning signs reminding us to stay in our cars and never approach any of these wild animals.
Lise noticed a big male getting up from his resting place under a tree. He grazed closer and closer to us. I’m glad I took this still photo, because my video only goes in painfully slow motion.
The next day we walked on Main Street in Waynesville. Here is a view Toke took from the car, showing the new sign that replaced a similar one that was gone for many years.
We wandered through Mast General store, one of my favorite places. I took one photo, this one in the candy section where Toke was putting his picks in a basket. Lise bought him a Southern cookbook for his collection.
Mehrling Muse 
Waynesville!! I didn’t know they named a town after me?
What kind of butterflies were those Anne?
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I don’t have time to look up that butterfly right now, Wayne. My daughter will be here two more weeks.
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O think It is a Pipevine Swallowtail Anne https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/pipevine_swallowtail.htm
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Thank you!!!
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Wow, yall had a good trip! Loved going there and seeing the elk, but those butterflies! 🦋 How strange to see them clumped like that.
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What a fun trip, and some great photos Anne!
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the only time I’ve seen butterflies on the ground in groups like that is when they are drinking from a puddle. Was there water there? It doesn’t look like it in the picture. I enjoyed seeing the elk.
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The butterflies were not near any water. I suspect they may have been mating, but I don’t have time to look it up right now.
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Oh, my… that elk is gorgeous! It looks like you had a wonderful outing.
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Lise has thought of many things to show Toke.
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Yeay for the joys of seing your butterfly video Anne. And the elk capture….lovely.🥰
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Great Smoky Mountains. Beautiful photos & so nice photo elk capture. Very nice trip. Beautiful butterfly 🦋! Nice video.
Tack care Anne 🙂
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Thanks for the pictures Anne, The horns on the male Elk are not as I imagined they would be. I loved your buterfly video. Sounds lkike you’re having a Great Time with Lise home again.
Huge Hugs from Cymru.
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Life is always fun and exciting when Lise is here. We hug several times a day. Hugs to you.
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I love those General Stores. They are always filled with treasures. Seems like you are having fun with your visitors. I sure enjoyed seeing my gang in Canada. The elk is so lovely.
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It’s exciting and fun when Lise is the tour director.
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Enjoy your time with Lise and Toke. It sounds like you are getting him around to see the sights!
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What a fun time yall are having.The butterflies seem to have found something interesting. The elk are always fun to see..especially up close.
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The day was magical.
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That was an amazing video of all the butterflies and the picture as well. I’ve never seen that type of butterfly. And great shots of the elk. Toke will have many photos and memories from his visit here.
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I found two names for the butterflies, but the only one I remember is blue swallowtail.
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They were pretty. We have tiger swallowtails, but I rarely see blue swallowtails. I was at the Park a few years ago on a coolish September morning and a group of migrating Monarchs fluttered by me and settled onto a tree. I pulled out the camera and got a few shots, but they stayed just a minute and continued on their journey.
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