Panther Creek State Park

We are leaving Panther Creek State Park tomorrow and heading to Richmond, VA to spend Thanksgiving with Kari's, our daughter's, family. Panther Creek State Park borders Cherokee Lake. Cherokee Lake is formed by another TVA dam, this one of the Holston River. We haven't been seeking TVA dams out. They just seem to be numerous in the area.

So we have been trying to get some good pictures of Cherokee lake during our stay but trees are usually at least partially blocking the view and the lake level has been reduced for the winter months. The reduced level can be a detraction though sometimes it enhances the views because underlying rocky shores are revealed.

Our first picture attempt was to hike a trail with a breathtaking view of the lake being included in the trail description. I guess breathtaking is in the eye of the beholder. These are a couple of the pictures we took from the trail lookout.

We also hiked down to the shore and got a close up view of some of the shoreline.

A day later we hiked to the park's boat ramp which almost looks like a runway with the water level so low.

Today we hiked to a different lookout and we were finally treated to more picturesque views of the lake although we were stuck with the low water levels. We couldn't do anything about those😊.

Deer have been plentiful here, at Old Stone Fort State Park and at Center Hill dam. In addition to does, it is not all that unusual to see a buck. As opposed to the bucks, the does don't seem too skid-dish as seen in the picture below.

If I don't post again tomorrow or the next, I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving now!