Norris Dam State Park – Tennessee

Enough of the home repairs and unpacking. Today is crystal clear and in the low 50’s with high’s in the 20’s on their way. We needed to get outside.

I have 2 state parks less than 5 miles away — Cove Lake and Cumberland Trail. Go another 5 miles and I can hike Norris Dam State Park so that’s where we headed today for an exploratory trip. 441 is a beautiful winding road back to the park where there are a variety of trail heads.

We parked in a camping area and tried one trail that was too steep with slippery leaves and I was worried the dogs would cause a fall.

It was at the top so they needed a water tower to supply the campground.

We headed the other way and found a better trail.

I could see the Cumberland mountain ridge through the trees and thought I’d better get a picture because it wouldn’t be visible when there are leaves on the trees.

At one point you could see some of the fingers of Norris Lake through the trees.

Nikki and Ellie were tired and happy. Since no one was around I had let them off their leashes for a while and they had run themselves tired up and down the hills.

The icing on the cake were two does as we were driving out of the park. The dogs wanted to get out and play — they think deer are the most fun spring toys in existence and would have happily chased them into the next county.

All this within minutes of my house. I think I’m going to like Tennessee.