Steve and I were going to Cades Cove to drive the loop road as well as take in a horse ride. Steve started the car, well he tried to and it was the same response Terri had when we went to BCR. Steve used the pliers to twist the fuse connectors and the fuse made a tight fit when he replaced it in the box, this meant the car started, phew!!
I used Google Maps GPS on my IPad and had the route all mapped out. We had travelled some distance when Steve had a hone call from Chris, he had left his car keys in the back of Terri/s car!!! We were too far away to go back so we just traveled on! There are some really lovely country stores along the way, many with wood carvings or workings.
We made good time and headed for the Cades Cove stables first. It was not long before we were on our way, just the two of us, on our horses Cindy and Covey (son of Cindy) with our guide Anna on Pepper. 
As we were leaving a horse drawn cart came through the creek which we were to cross. 
The ride lasted just over an hour and followed trails through the woods. These trails had a couple of steep ascents and descents on them. We stopped part way for a photo op, soon after we saw one deer but Cindy moved just as I had a decent shot, lol!!
The leaves on a few trees are just starting to turn colour and I was just imagining taking this ride in October. Anna told us that the bears come out in October and can be seen in several places. 
The stable has about 60 horses and they are rotated around between the stables and running free in the fields. The stables are open and well set up with a row of stalls either side of a central aisle. The concrete floor is hosed clean as needed and each horse has a rubber mat to stand on. I was very impressed.
We then drove the loop road, there are many places to pull over and stop and it was quite busy. We followed a van that was driving much slower than the speed limit and ended up with a tail of cars behind him. 
There are also many hiking rails scattered throughout the area. There are several older buildings/cabins around the road and we saw three or four churches. There are a few roads that cut across the loop but they are dirt roads! The mountains created a fine back drop to the drive and there were many fields some of which had been used for hay. We did see a beautiful stag with a good rack of antlers but I was unable to get a clear shot.
We then rejoined the main road and a silver car who should have given way cut right in front of us. I mention this as further down the road he was driving much slower than the speed limit as he was looking round and having a good chat to his passenger. We finally managed to get past him, lol! The temperature at the top was around 70 F but when we reached the hotel it was 96!!!!! We arrived back about 2.25 pm and joined the others who had waited for us to go to lunch. We went to a nearby diner, Happy Days, and I had a BLT and french fries.
We went back to the hotel where I downloaded my photos and wrote the blog. No-one was very hungry, Steve, Terri and I tossed around some ideas and it was suggested we catch the trolley. We went and sat in our seats but the traffic was very slow moving in the right hand lane and by the time it came we were past it! We had waited 45 minutes by which time it was 8.15 and goodness only knows what time we would have got back if we had taken it, lol!!! Terri and i went back and I grabbed a packet of cheddar popcorn while Terri ate her dessert from last night! Steve returned with a wee picnic for Happy Days. I had half the BLT so I could take my meds with food, lol!!
Then it was a shower and bed!
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