Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Finding a Hidden Jewel in the Smokies


On March 21, 2007, George and I went hiking in the Smokies. There are so many gorgeous waterfalls in the Smokies ---but the traffic, most of the year, is HORRIBLE. SO---we try to do our Smokies visits during 'off-season'--and on weekdays. Even though it was Spring Break for some schools, the traffic wasn't bad at all on this particular day. We drove coming and going on the Little River Road (from Gatlinburg to Townsend) which is my favorite drive in the Smokies. GORGEOUS!!!!!


We headed into Gatlinburg and drove on the Roaring Fork Nature Motor Trail--where there are trailheads to several waterfalls. We passed up Rainbow Falls (lots of cars there) and Grotto Falls (TONS of cars there)---and stopped at an 'unadvertised' waterfall--called BASKINS CREEK FALLS (pictured above). They must keep this hidden jewel JUST for 'us' waterfall people---who read all of the books. We were the ONLY ones on the trail the entire time--and the waterfall was worth the 3-mile-round-trip hike.

The hike UP-UP-UP...... (Pant Pant); Guess who was ahead of me????? ha





The trail was marvelous. We loved all of the rock formations along our path.





George was doing some rock-hopping along the creek in order to get more pictures of Baskins Creek Falls.





The hike was hard---quite steep, but we really enjoyed it. As you can tell, I am waiting while George goes higher to get more pictures.




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Once we got back on Roaring Fork Road, we saw another waterfall (this one from the road) which is appropriately named "The Place of a Thousand Drips." You'll see from our pictures why the name is so appropriate. However, it was hard to get a good picture since the water was coming over MANY rocks.

PLACE of a THOUSAND DRIPS


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Thirdly, we stopped at the Sugarland Visitor Center and walked to a small waterfall nearby called Cataract Falls. We had never seen this one either---so it was a nice SHORT walk--and a pretty waterfall. The deer in the field near the Visitor Center paid no attention to all of us people!!!!






CATARACT FALLS





George at Cataract Falls


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And lastly, we stopped by another waterfall beside the Little River Road ---on our way home. We have seen this waterfall (called Meigs Falls) many times--but there was more water coming over the falls this time than ever before. SO--we stopped and took some pictures there and also admired the sounds of the 'rushing' Little River.

MEIGS FALLS





We love seeing the Little River (between Gatlinburg and Townsend). This is a popular place for kayaking and tubing in summer.







"Okay," she says. "As much as I hate to leave this gorgeous place, let's head on home."


Hope you had a great Monday... We another another RAINY day (7 in a row now)....
Hugs,

P.S. George and I have watched the Fox show, HOUSE, since its inception. Last night began the first show of this new season. This one happened to be a two-hour special---and let me tell you: this was one of the BEST dramas I have seen on TV in a very long time. It had all of the ingredients of a fabulous drama (including comedy, sadness, and very deep emotional feelings and thoughts). It delved into the deepest parts of the soul---and I felt the pain and anger and fear all the way through this process. Are they going to make Dr. House a 'nice' guy?????? Hmmmm---that remains to be seen. BUT--a very caring, warm guy popped out of him in this show. It was awesome. IF you are a HOUSE lover, I hope you saw this one!!!

56 comments:

  1. oh! i will go for a five miles hike just to see those jewels. it is worth it...

    never hike before. but now it is dawning on me what i am missing...

    there is something calming about being surrounded by water be it lake, river stream or waterfall. it soothes the senses..

    thanks for sharing!

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  2. You guys always find the best waterfalls and I'm so glad you share them with us!

    I am an avid 'house' fan, but I have no idea what season we get to see and they aren't always in sequence *pout*

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  3. I need to correct the former post (still half asleep)...I see I spelled MOUNTAINS incorrectly LOL..


    Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...
    Betsy!! I have one question for you. In all the hiking excursions, you and George have gone on in the beautiful mountains of Virginia and Tennessee, and other places, have you EVER run across a bear? I love waterfalls as much as you do, but haven't gotten out to look for them. I'm so happy you have all of your pictures that you share with us. I can enjoy them from your blog.

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  4. More lovely waterfalls!

    BTW have you counted the total number you have seen sofar?

    Thanks for sharing all these with us!!

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  5. I love viewing your wonderful journeys through some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

    Thanks for sharing them, Betsy.
    Have a great day :)

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  6. Such gorgeous waterfalls, Betsy. I think we might have to check out Baskins Creek Falls. I like the idea of having a trail and waterfall all to ourselves! And it looks like it's well worth the climb. Thanks so much for sharing the beauty from your travels with all of us!

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  7. Very pretty waterfalls. The deer is adorable. I love the rock formations.

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  8. It's great that the two of you enjoy hiking together. You see so many waterfalls and wildlife too.

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  9. You sure do like waterfalls. I think I'm catching the bug to go waterfall hunting too. What a pleasure for you to find a waterfall without anyone else on the track. It looks a lovely forest.
    We could do with some of your rain.

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  10. I loved walking along with you though your pictures. I could almost hear the water falling. The creek by our house is nearly dry this season, so I get my flowing water fix from your blog. :)

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  11. I know all this rain is a pain but it should really make your favorite waterfalls gloriously full. Hope it eventually dries up so you can go see them. Dreadful about the deaths from this rain.
    I never miss House though I really want to reach into the TV and slap his rude head off several times a show. I have the show taped and will get to it soon. If he could only be nice once in every two or three shows, I would feel better. Do we have a kinder, gentler House coming? Can only hope. Regardless, I will still watch.

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  12. Beautiful hike. It is always amazing what we find when we get off our butts and into the outdoors.
    Thanks.

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  13. Oh girl you knew I would love these pics! One of my favorite places in the whole world. We haven't made it to Baskins Creek falls. Maybe next time.

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  14. More gorgeous photos Betsy. The road from Townsend to Gatlinburg is a beautiful drive. We're learning the back roads to get to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinbug because of the tourist. We can only really enjoy our mountains in Jan. and Feb. when it's so very cold.

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  15. It's so much fun to find things off the beaten path. We also go more during the winter and weekdays because of the traffic and crowds. Nothing ruins a lovely waterfall than a bunch of people pointing and shouting.

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  16. The falls looked great, and the hike looked just as inviting. I've got to start hiking again.

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  17. I don't watch House but I may give it a look see.
    I love your river also. It is not as fond of me. We went tubing and I flipped over backwards in one of the big rapids. Gave hubby and the kids a nice laugh and great story ;-)

    Bet your waterfalls are flowing this week with all the rains!
    Have a Great Day!

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  18. Forgot to mention my whole family watches HOUSE, and we also thought last night's episode was great. It reminded me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

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  19. Ya'll get a lot of excerise!! Okay, about House, Rusty and I love that show.........we just can't stay awake!! I fell asleep about half way through........WHAT HAPPENED??????????

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  20. Have you two ever counted how many waterfalls you have seen together? Maybe you should write a book.....Your pictures always look so inviting.

    I never hear of HOUSE. So many nights I scan through those 100+ channels for something decent to watch and usually give up and read. Sounds like one I should check out.

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  21. Always such beautiful peacful places you go....lovely! I like that "place of a 1000 drips".

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  22. Great waterfall pictures!! Jeep likes HOUSE and I'm sure it was recorded last night so maybe we will see it after all.

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  23. I so enjoy your hiking trips - so much beautiful scenery! You and George are also getting fabulous exercise! Greg and I need to hike more!!
    Hugs from Michigan,
    Shelley

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  24. Hiking and waterfall hunting with Betsy and George ... the perfect way to start the day!

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  25. Beautiful photos. You two have found a perfect hobby. It combines beauty with exercise.
    Marnie

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  26. Thanks so much for sharing your Smokie Mt Waterfall experiences here virtually. Actually it looks like so much fun I'd love to see these lovely places in person, but (alas) I'm on the other side of the USA and not likely to get there any time soon. As for House, I love that show myself ... recorded it last night to watch later today and am glad to hear you give it such rave reviews. Right now ... I'm off for my morning swim. Have a delightful day ;--)
    Hugs and blessings,

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  27. i'm green with envy with all your waterfalls photos, Betsy!!! all we have here are manmade waterfalls! wish i could photograph real ones someday...

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  28. Here in Malaysia, if we "bumped" into a waterfall, it would be full of people IN the water :)

    I had never stopped to watch House but I am making a point to watch it the next time it comes on.

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  29. Thanks for taking me along again on a wonderful waterfall trip. As I mentioned in my Saturday post I thought of you and George when we hiked to a waterfall. When we go to NH we find alot more waterfalls to visit than here in ME. Would love to see your area of the country, must put it on our "trips" list. Take care!

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  30. You and George should write a book on waterfalls. Thanks for sharing another great hike.
    Sunny :)

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  31. I think you two have your own inner built-in GPS for waterfalls!

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  32. Your waterfalls are wonderful and I like the river too.You two seem to have a great life.
    ~~Hugs ~~

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  33. The adventures you two have - Your blog name should be "The Adventures of George & Betsy!" hehehehe

    I love love love that 3rd photo from the end - that's my favorite!

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  34. 3 miles is a long hike. And that's a lot of waterfalls for one place. I LOVE the name, Place of a thousand drips!

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  35. Wow, Betsy, you sure found a lot of great waterfalls in one trip!
    I missed that House episode, but I am a fan. I always thought he had a "nice" guy hidden deep inside!

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  36. Enjoyed the post! Off to work now!

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  37. 'afternoon, ms. betsy! just woke up, and it's soooo gloomy over here. love your shot of a peek up there, hihi! well, there sure are plenty of finds in a hike. these shots are precious. do you hike in groups, though? stay safe, you and mr. george! ~~~he's so cute, he visited my site, i think. i have got to go 'see' him. please say 'hi' while i change gears! ~wink!~

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  38. I need to watch House sometime. I hear so many people talk about it. Wish I ddn't miss the first one this season...Will that matter for the next ones?

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  39. Betsy, I just love how you and George "collect" waterfalls!....and I'm glad you share them us.
    Elaine :)

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  40. Excellent and awesome waterfalls, Betsy. The hikes are fairly easy I hope--puff puff--the hidden jewel is breathtaking. the waterfalls in our mountains are IN our mountains. LOL
    I gotta get up in the mts and go hicking just for you.

    I am not a real House fan. My daughter watches it so it is on here and he just makes me so mad. But it is entertainment.

    Has the rain stopped. We haven't had any real rain for ever so long and we are supposed to be the wet state. MB

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  41. Oh,I so much enjoy these hikes to all the water falls.I don't feel one bit tired.:)Honestly,the only thing missing from these posts is the sound of the falling water.Thanks a bunch for sharing all this beauty with me.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  42. Jeeze Betsy, I had to sit back and take a break after walking all that distance with you on this post!! You guys managed to get some great waterfall pictures and get some great hiking in also! Hope you stayed awake on the way home!!
    yes, we are big House fans and feared that this new season will see a change in Dr House..nice or temp insanity..doesn't go with his character..have to wait and see!!

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  43. This does look like a hidden jewel!!! So glad you found it.
    I have not watched House...I may have to rent the old shows and try to catch up, I have heard it is great! Now you can use your TIVO and not watch the commericals.

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  44. You have some very beautiful hiking areas. There are two places near here where I hike that have waterfalls, but ONLY during wet weather which we don't get that much of here in SoCal.

    Kay

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  45. Didn't ya just LOVE 'HOUSE'???
    I can't miss it either...Your so right about it being one of the BEST yet!!!
    You & George are like me, Only try to go to places during the week (without the crowds) More peaceful that way...
    Have to get to those 'Smokies' yet!!!
    Beautiful photo's again...
    Joyous Autumn Betsy...
    Always...Marilyn

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  46. Betsy: You and George find the most beautiful places to hike, and the most gorgeous waterfalls to admire.
    Always having fun in life, you two are such a wonderful and fun-loving couple, it's always a pleasure to see your faces, always smiling.
    I must start watching that show, I have never done so....thanks for the recommendation.
    Great pictures as always !

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  47. Wonderful tour of your waterfalls, Betsy. Makes me want to come down for a visit!

    I watched House last night, too. (I've been a hit or miss watcher from the beginning.) And I have to agree, it was the best TV I've seen in a very long time. I'm totally hooked for the rest of the season now.

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  48. Thanks again for the tour of all those beautiful water falls. Your post brings back a lot of good memories. Love those mtns.

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  49. The longer the hike the more rewarding the scenery! Hard to remember that at the time.

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  50. Wonderful! love hiking. Thanks for sharing.

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  51. Betsy,
    I love it when you and George take us along with you for the hikes, the scenery is always beautiful. Those hidden waterfalls are well worth the hike.
    I saw above where someone asked you about your bear encounters, I'm curious too. I hope they have put an end to people feeding them along side the road.
    Hugs,
    Judy

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  52. Ihave been to both Grotto and Rainbow Falls, but I have never tried the Baskins Creek Falls, I will have to try that one soon.

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  53. Hi, Betsy! I am trying to catch up...I love that Place of a Thousand drops.

    My older daughter, Rachel loves HOuse...she and I used to watch it.

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  54. Really enjoyed this post. Seeing waterfalls I have visited through your eyes.

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