I Love the Smokies!

I truly do love visiting The Smokies, especially during peak fall color. This year I had several commitments that prevented me from going to the Smokies at what I expected to be the idea time.  And I broke my big toe!  After that, my fate was settled, or was it?  The call of the color became too strong!  I surrendered and headed west at 2:00 on a Sunday afternoon.  I arrived at Cades Cove well after dark.  It rained.  

I entered Cades Cove Loop when the gates opened Monday morning.  After fighting traffic there for a few hours, I headed for the road that leads to Tremont Institute and beyond.  In the mist and rain, I found what I was looking for, fall color.  I made the following photographs along the Middle Prong of the Little River.  It has always been one of my favorite areas in the Smokies and it didn’t disappoint. 

Middle Prong in the Mist

Middle Prong in the Mist

Small Waterfall

Red & Gold 

Photographing from the roadside was challenging, but I was able to capture some keepers.

Peaceful Stop

Listen to the sound of the water.  OK, pretend.  Can't you almost hear it?  I can.

​Green being my favorite color, I love this one.

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Green

Yellow Rules Here

Favorite Cascade

With my big toe splinted to it buddy and wearing my big rubber boots rather than my hiking boots, I mostly stuck to the edge or the road, with the exception of these two photographs.  The photographs above and below were taken during my excursion off the roadside. 

Cascade Detail

While in the Smokies, I also traveled a bit on both Foothills Parkways.  I took Roaring Fork Motor Road, the Greenbriar Road and finally drove into Cataloochee Valley.  Of all the places I visited in two rushed wet days, the road to Tremont had the best color.  But there were other points of interest that I will share in a later post. ​

Thanks for reading my posts and viewing my photographs.  Please contact me if you have questions about the locations or camera settings.  I love to discuss photography!