Cooking & Conversation: The Mountains Are Calling--and Mock Cordon Bleu at C & C Farms

Today is our last full day in the Smokies.

We decided to make the most of the beautiful mountains.

Beautiful views of our resort.

Today we took a tour back up the Smoky Mountains with Charles,
our tour guide with "A Walk in the Woods."

We went back to the Carlos C. Campbell Overlook.

We traveled farther along Newfound Gap Road.

Nature forged the Great Smokies, but the hands of Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) workers helped shape the national park known here today.
During the 1930's, enrollment peaked as 4,300 men worked here,
building roads, campgrounds, trails, and buildings.
They also reared fish for stocking, fought fires, and practiced
innumerable other trades.
Their work remains an important part of the fabric of
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Doug and I stood along the Appalachian Trail.
It is one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world.
The trail winds more than 2,150 miles through 14 states.
Few stretches are more difficult or remote than the section through the
Great Smokies. Here the trail follows some of the highest ridges in the
Appalachians, paralleling the Tennessee-North Carolina border for 70 miles.

On to Clingmans Dome
At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi. The observation tower on the summit of Clingmans Dome offers spectacular 360° views of the Smokies and beyond for visitors willing to climb the steep half-mile walk to the tower at the top.
On clear days views expand over a 100 miles. Unfortunately, air pollution often limits viewing distances to under 20 miles.
Clouds, precipitation, and cold temperatures are common at Clingmans Dome. Temperatures at the dome can be 10 -20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in the surrounding lowlands. In fact, the cool, wet conditions on Clingmans Dome's summit make the spruce-fir forest that grows there a coniferous rainforest.
http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm

We made it to the top of the mountain.
It was too foggy to get out and take the .5 mile hike to the top.
As you can see, we wouldn't be able to see much today.

This was Clingmans Dome when we talked to the top on Tuesday.

Views from the dome when it was clearer.

Another Tuesday view.

Back down the mountain with Charles from
A Walk in the Woods.

This is Charles, our expert guide.
He was so knowledgeable about the area.

From the majestic mountains views
to shopping on The Island in Pigeon Forge to pick up some souvenirs.

We also stopped at the Old Mill shopping center to browse and
take a few more photos.

This was my black bear sighting today.
I was hoping to see one when we were on our mountain tour today,
but ended up seeing this one in the city.
Do not feed the bears!

Leaving our Smoky Mountain resort.

Our niece, Sarah, told us to be sure and go to the Flapjack pancake house.
We did, and we enjoyed every mouthwatering bite.

Yes!

A pancake house with a view.

On our way back home.

But first, we stop at Sarah and Matt's for our own bed and breakfast stay.
C & C Farms

Sarah fixed Mock Chicken Cordon Bleu
from the cookbook her mother-in-law made just for her.

Getting out the fixins' for the casserole dish.

Line a 9x13" pan that has been sprayed with Pam nonstick cooking spray
with 1 package Buddig dried beef.
Lay 4 large or 6 small chicken breasts on top of the dried beef.
In small bowl mix the soups with sour cream;
pour on top of the chicken.
Top with cheese and then bread crumbs.
Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees
for 1-1/2 hours.
Remove the foil the last 8 minutes of baking to brown.