Painted Pony Guesthouse

05/10/2026

Fall Creek Falls State Park today. Happy Mother’s Day to those that celebrate. The park was a very popular spot today.

05/07/2026

04/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ds3hyBnWj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

New law reflects common sense.

New Tennessee Law Makes Feeding Bears a Crime Statewide Starting July 1

If you’ve spent time in the Smokies, bear encounters are just part of the experience. Starting July 1, feeding black bears anywhere in Tennessee where posted notices prohibit it will be a Class B misdemeanor.

Governor Bill Lee signed the bill into law this week after it passed nearly unanimously in the state senate.

Here’s what to know:

🐻 Intentionally feeding a black bear — a minimum $250 fine.

🗑️ Leaving food or garbage unsecured — a written warning on your first offense, but a $250+ fine after that.

Until now, Gatlinburg was the only city in Tennessee where feeding bears was illegal, with fines and court costs topping $100. And inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, federal law already carries penalties up to $5,000 and six months in jail.

The new law also allows the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to partner with local law enforcement to help enforce wildlife safety rules.

Point blank: respect the bears, secure your trash, and never feed wildlife. It’s safer for you and for them. 🏔️

03/27/2026

Local beauty.

The Head of the Sequatchie

03/21/2026

A little update. We still haven't opened for this year. Normally we would open in April, but we won't be. Not sure when (or if) we will. Last year we had several issues, including my husband's hip surgery and recovery, and had many dates blocked out. This year is even busier; we will be using the guesthouse ourselves while we have a kitchen remodel done on OUR house. Then once that is done, I need to have knee surgery and recover from THAT. We can't keep up with the farm, the critters, our house and the guesthouse with all that going on.

If we return to being open, it will probably NOT be through Airbnb. I may limit it to previous guests who I know are low drama. Or we may just decide that at almost 70 years old this has run its course and it's time to stop. I will keep this page updated with what we decide. I have enjoyed hosting for the 3 years that we have been doing it, and the opportunity to give back to the community. If interested, do keep an eye on this page for updates! Thank you!

03/06/2026

My favorite time of year is still fall, but spring is lovely too!

01/29/2026

Painted Pony Guesthouse

All blanketed up, in the run in, eating hay.

01/29/2026

The chickens and the ducks. None of them are fans of this extended arctic/polar weather event. The ducks have been locked up in their duck house for close to a week and it will probably be close to another week before they get out. The chickens have been locked up in their much smaller coop for just as long but they did get to come out this afternoon into their run and have some scratch grains. But soon everyone will be locked back up because this weekend is going to have lows in the NEGATIVE numbers!!!

01/24/2026

Hear our prayer

A Farmer’s Prayer Before the Freeze

Tonight, we ask for mercy in the cold.
For wind that softens its grip,
for temperatures that ease just enough
to let life hold on.

Watch over the animals tucked into straw and wood,
the quiet breaths in barns and coops,
the ones who trust us without words.
Keep them warm where our hands can’t reach.

Bless the fences, the heaters, the water lines,
the lamps glowing through the dark.
Bless the tired hands that checked one more time,
and the hearts that won’t rest until morning.

We’ve done what we can.
Now we place the rest in Your care.
Carry us through the long night,
and let the morning come gentle.

Amen 🤍