Big Dogs Are Back

The snow is almost gone from the ski slopes, a sign that spring is here.

But look who we see! The clearest sign of spring for us.

Cataloochee Ranch is preparing for the summer season, checking fence lines, gates and horse trails.

We are all thrilled to see the Big Dogs back from their winter home.

Everything just seems right with them in the pastures.

All winter, we talk about our neighbors, Cataloochee Ski.  But with spring in the air, our other neighbor, Cataloochee Ranch, is busily preparing to welcome summer guests.  The ranch is open year round for guests, but summers are busy as people want to get outdoors on hiking and horse trails.  With 1000 acres of ranch property and a mile long border with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a featured attraction of the ranch is the ability to ride horses along trails within the ranch or into the park.

The horses spend spring, summer and fall at the ranch, but move down into the warmer valley for the winter months.  For us, the return of the horses to the ranch is one of our surest signs that spring is settling over our mountains.

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20 Comments

  1. Lexi and Jasper the Danes on April 12, 2011 at 2:14 am

    O guys we are so jealous! You live in like the PERFECT place 😀

    We love reading your blog and looking at all the beautiful pictures!

    Licks and lots of slobber,
    Lexi and Jasper the Danes

  2. norwood on April 10, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    Yep. It’s official now. I’d really like to see a big dog come across the herd…. .hmmm that would be an interesting sight to see!
    nordude

  3. Khyra on April 10, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    I guess it is The Maggie Valley’s spin on the swallows and the buzzards!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

  4. Huffle Mawson on April 10, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    It’s good to see the Big Dogs back in action!

  5. Michelle on April 10, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Yay for Spring!! The horses are beautiful!

  6. The Army of Four on April 10, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    How exciting! Welcome back, big dogs!
    Luv,
    Dave

  7. FiveSibesMom on April 10, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    Love the big dogs! I used to ride/train/raise/show big dogs before the Huskies, so thanks for the great pics. A nice stroll down Memory Lane for me! I also loved your Saturday Shadow Shots…we have some of those same shadowy Sibes following us on walks! And that’s right…Sibes do what Sibes want…Saturday, Sunday, whatever day they decide! Great shots!

  8. the booker man on April 10, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    oh yeah! me ‘n asa love the big doggies, too! but my mama is especially fascinated with the big doggies. she thinks they are so so beautiful. in fact, she was lookin’ at your neighbor’s ranch, and it’s not too far away from our house!

    *woof*
    the booker man

  9. houndstooth4 on April 10, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    Natasha, you look pretty impressed!

    I think you have some of the nicest neighbors around. There’s a lot of fascination with the big dogs here amongst our pack, too!

  10. Fiona on April 10, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    We love big dogs! They are so fascinating! Our ski resorts are looking a little better than yours right now (30″ of snow in the last 4 days…). Mom is thinking she might even go skiing tomorrow! Happy spring to you!

    *kissey face*
    -Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus

  11. The OP Pack on April 10, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    A great way to mark the change of seasons. We hope you were all safe from the bad storms we heard passed through NC.

    Have a great Sunday.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

  12. Stella on April 10, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Poet/writer Alice Walker once said “Horses make a landscape more beautiful”. Besides all the other things they do!

    Sounds like your pups agree with that.

    Kisses,
    Stella

  13. Sam on April 10, 2011 at 10:14 am

    How pretty they all look grazing in the field! Mom is going to have to convince Dad to vacation there!

    Sam

  14. Lisa alias Sitka's Mom on April 10, 2011 at 10:09 am

    Beautiful pics!!! I just crack up @ the Herd’s “Big Dogs”. It does appear that Spring has finally arrived. For those of us that love the colder weather we were willing to wait. Enjoy the view kids!!

  15. Shawnee the Shepherd on April 10, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Those big dogs look happy to be back! I heart big dogs. It’s those moo cows that I be skeered of.

  16. fullofgrace on April 10, 2011 at 7:41 am

    How Lovely, that’s quite the view 🙂

  17. Minnie and Mack on April 10, 2011 at 7:28 am

    You guys are so lucky to be country doggies! Mack and I have never seen a Big Dog up close. It would probably scare the you know what out of us anyway, ha ha ha! We’re just a couple of suburban puggies. You live in the most beautiful place! We are jealous.

    Drools and licks,
    Minnie and Mack

  18. Maxx on April 10, 2011 at 3:50 am

    Nice to see the horses again!
    Happy Spring to all!

    Cheers,
    Maxx

  19. Wild Dingo on April 10, 2011 at 2:57 am

    We love the horses here too… especially when we can run with them… 😉

  20. Rottrover on April 10, 2011 at 1:22 am

    Welcome home, big dog herd!

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