Hello sweet friends. I hope you are enjoying the first week of June!
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
Last week, Butch and I had an opportunity for a little getaway to one of our favorite places that we discovered in 2017! This trip made number 5 for us at The Swag, known for their stunning views, romantic vistas, and impeccable charm. Situated at five thousand feet, this Relais & Chateaux, all inclusive, mountain hideaway is truly a breath of fresh air! Join us as we roam outdoors on this magical 250 acre property, steps away from The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and miles of trails!
Fog or low clouds in the valleys and clinging to the ridges gives us a true sense of the reason for the name, Great Smoky Mountains!
This was our first time to take in the beauty of the rhododendron season!
This green area that leads to the garden has several sitting areas and places to hang out, eat a bite, read, or maybe just relax and enjoy the surroundings! You can see the garden in full bloom here.
At this altitude and in the mountains, it was still peony season!
After a few passing nighttime thundershowers, the next day brought beautiful weather to the NC Appalachians.
The garden has many handmade natural rustic features!
This is called Gooseberry Knob. The view from here is beyond spectacular. We were totally surprised when we hiked up to the knob with our picnic lunch to have the hill all to ourselves!
Ox-eye daisies must love the mountain air!
Who doesn’t enjoy a swing? Butch and I spent some time in this one! Butch says swings and rocking chairs make him relaxed and sleepy. I agree. The Swag has plenty of rockers too!
I was smitten by the stunning large-leaved lupines in blooms! The flower spires can reach up to twelve inches in length!
Lupines are popular ornamental plants that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees! It is too warm in my 8a zone to grow them. This was our first time to find these beauties in bloom!
On another day, we chose to again have lunch on Gooseberry Knob. As unlikely as it is to happen once (this is a very popular spot), we had lunch twice as if this was our own private Appalachian Mountain hideout! Our secret was discovered a little later by other guests!
Mountain Laurel and rhododendron right outside our door. A nice floral arrangement!
This lovely native wildflower is blue wild indigo. The blossoms resemble pea blossoms in shape. The plant juice can be used to make a purple dye!
We were excited to find Mountain Laurel beginning to bloom. We’ve caught them in full bloom here on a previous visit later in June. This was a treat, finding both Mountain Laurel and a wonderful show of rhododendron during the same visit! For a look at our previous June visit, click here!
This pathway led to the Chestnut Lodge where our room was located. We had a private balcony with an awesome view of the mountains. We could look down on hikers as they trekked the Cataloochee Divide Trail within The Great Smoky Mountains National Park…only 25 yards away!
Thank you for joining us in the mountains and relaxing with us at The Swag. To view our first visit to this wonderful hideaway, click here, and here!
Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
What a beautiful and relaxing getaway Pam! We love a long weekend in the NC mountains for the cooler temps and lower humidity, especially in the heat of summer. We’ve never been to The Swag, it looks like a wonderful spot. Cute photo of you looking over the gate. 😊 Happy Thursday ♥
Cooler temps and lower humidity is a win! Thank you, Mary!
I need to get Mr. P. and I to the Swag. one of my antiquing friends has been there with her husband and both enjoyed it.
Looks like it was a great time for you & Butch to be there and enjoy the rhodies and mtn laurel in bloom. all the blooms, really. I love the thought of just hiking, relaxing, reading, and spending quiet time together.
I think you would love it. Mr P. would love all the sweets. House-made ice cream 24/7, desserts for lunch and dinner, house baked cookies every afternoon. Mr. P would love all of that, I am sure!
Wow! This is stunning! What a wonderful place to relax, rejuvenate and take in some mountain air.
Thank you, Elizabeth! It is lovely place to be still!
Glad you enjoyed our beautiful mountain views, and you were able to see its full glory in rhododendron season. If you come here again when the rhodos are in bloom, hike Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway – spectacular arbors of them!
Thank you Carole, and thank you for the hiking tip!
Good morning, Pam! This looks like such a beautiful place. How spectacular all of those pretty blooms look. The rhododendrons are gorgeous! I am so happy that you had a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing, and I am definitely going to put this place on my bucket list. We are headed to Old Edwards this summer for an anniversary trip. We are really looking forward to it. Happy Thursday, sweet friend!
Thank you sweet friend. We love Old Edwards and have celebrated a couple of anniversaries there. Happy weekend!
It sounds like a wonderful getaway Pam, such a beautiful and peaceful spot! All the flowers are just beautiful~how nice to be able to have picnics outside and to walk around on those trails. The gate you are posing with is amazing and all the mountain views are amazing. Thank you for sharing your lovely trip!
We love the mountains and the Swag! The food, scenery, and the hospitality are all amazing! Thank you, Jena!
Pam,
What a wonderful (and well-deserved) getaway! It looks like heaven! I’m partial to your place–but this place is ok. LOL!
My favorite is of you! Thank you for sharing and I’m so happy you witnessed several blooms, private picnics, and such “swag”!
I love you and pray for you daily as you do me! Many blessings to you all!💜💕🌸🙏
You are a sweetheart, my dear Karla. It is a beautiful place to just be still. Love you my friend 💛
The hand made arch and gate is such a delightful spot for a picture!
Thank you, JoAnn!
What a beautiful place! You and Butch must have felt so rejuvenated after all the wonderful food, flowers, and vistas. I’m sure you came home with lots of ideas for your garden too! The North Carolina mountains are truly one of my favorite paces on earth. I think itinerary be ause growing up on the SC beaches, we always vacationed in the mountains when I was a child…so many special memories. I love the picture of you at the gate, Pam!!
Roxanne, we love going to the Swag. Thank you, my friend!
this spot is beyond beautiful, Pam, and what a wonderful spot for a romantic getaway. The views are just fantastic. I do love seeing the mountains (Michigan is very flat!). And the gardens and flowers are stunning. You had to be in your element!
Thank you, Jeanie. We do love the mountains!
How beautiful and relaxing. Gorgeous views for sure. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris…Happy Weekend!
So beautiful Pam…what a wonderful retreat. So happy you and Butch were able to get away for a few days it helps us to re-group out thoughts and gain new energy. Happy June my friend.
Thank you, Kari. It is a beautiful place to just be still! Happy June, sweet friend!
I love getting away to the mountains and haven’t been in so long. The Swag looks so peaceful, I’d love it, but my husband would want to know if it has internet connection. Go figure.
We love the mountains! The Swag has great internet 😉
Dear Pam, what lovely vistas, beautiful memories made, and stunning snapshots to bring back the memories. Thanks for taking us to a place that many of us will never get to. I travel vicariously through your journeys. Weekend blessings to you both.
Thanks so much, Linda. It is a lovely place to “be still”.
What a lovely get away for the both of you! I remember your posts from your last visits. The Rhodies, Mountain Laurel and Lupines were a treat for you. Such beautiful photos of this lovely mountain retreat. The last photo of you is just the sweetest!
Thank you for taking us along.
I’m late to the party but I’m not late to wishing you a return to the Swag. It is indeed a beautiful place and nice and cool up in the altitude. Summer has arrived early in Colorado. It’s been in the 90’s. The air condition has been turned on and my body hates it but turn it on I must. It’s also beautiful here. Everthing that was hard packed soil is now full of green and blooms. I sit in the garden and listen to nature. The bears are raiding the bird feeders and the bob cats are having lunch and dinner on the poor animals left outside. Wake up people. Hubby walks with the puppy always, night or day. Not sure that’s safe either.
I am so glad you have green and blooms, Alice. I hope you and hubby are careful outdoors with the bears roaming around! Enjoy your beautiful weather, my friend!
The last picture is my absolute favorite! The blooms are all so beautiful. Gooseberry Knob looks like a perfect place to picnic and perhaps nap. Thanks for sharing the pics. The surrounding area makes glorious shots! The Swag looks very enticing! Clara❤️
What a nature lovers haven! That is the perfect example of my ideal vacation spot – mountains, fauna, cool temps with swings and rockers to top it all off.
It is a wonderful place to just be still. Thank you, Elizabeth!
What a lovely spot Pam & such a blessing to be able to have some time out together!
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Yes, it was a sweet time of rest and enjoying God’s beautiful creation!
Your pictures are always beautiful and inspiring! Thank you! God bless you!
Thank you, Mrs. White!
Oh my goodness – the pictures are beautiful and it sounds like you had a fabulous time – who wouldn’t with such gorgeous scenery?! The lupines are stunning and how great the Mountain Laurel and rhododendron were blooming for you. I’m so happy for you both that you were able to get away to such a beautiful location for a little down time!
Kim, it truly is a beautiful place that we enjoy. I am so glad you came along! Looking forward to your tablescape tomorrow!
What a beautiful and inspiring place, Pam! The photos are lovely! I’ll be featuring this at Thursday Favorite Things tomorrow, starting at 10:00 CST. Thanks for sharing this great post with us!
Thanks so much, Pam. I look forward to TFT!
The Swag looks like an amazing place! So thankful God blessed you to be able to go there together again!
Thank you, it was an enjoyable trip taking in the beauty of the mountains and all of God’s creation!