Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, October 18, 2010

Autumn Color along the Smokies Foothills Parkway

This past Thursday,  George and I drove to the Smokies to check out some Fall Colors.  We drove on a road which we had not been on before,  the Foothills Parkway (near Townsend, TN).   The parkway reminded us of the Blue Ridge Parkway---with overlooks all along our way.

There was quite a bit of color --but not as much in the higher elevations.  However,  we picked a perfect day to be there because a cold front had blown through the area the day before,  and it turned out to be a perfect day --and very clear.

Besides seeing some gorgeous colors along the parkway,  we hiked to a tall tower near Look Rock ---and saw some spectacular views of the Smokies and of the area all around.  I will publish pictures of the tower and views in another post,  and today will share some of the gorgeous colors we encountered that day.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.





You can see some of the beautiful Smoky Mountains in this photo.




I can just "ooh and ahh"  when seeing the beautiful Fall colors.




We found this beautiful red color as we were hiking up to the tower.   Isn't it just gorgeous?




Here's another picture showing some of the beautiful Smoky Mountains, and the valley below.




For some reason,  I am drawn to this picture... I love the little splashes of red!!!!   What do you think?




Finally,  this picture was taken near Chilhowee Dam --after we got off of the Foothills Parkway... I love seeing Fall color around the water.  The only thing needed is a great reflection... (Guess we need to go back for that!!! ha)

Hope you enjoyed seeing some color from the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.   Hope also that you had a great weekend... George and I had our annual physicals this past Friday ---and both received excellent reports...  Thanks be to God for GOOD HEALTH.

Hugs,

66 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

You are blessed with a loving George and able bodies to go out an enjoy God's creation.

For the time being, I just have to be satisfied with my little camera.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

The leaves are slowly turning I see !
I too love the reds, they are so vibrant, and just demand your attention, I can't wait to see what difference another week or two will make.
A stunning part of the world, even if I'm partial ;)
Thanks for sharing Betsy, have a wonderful week !
Jo
x

diane b said...

I also oooh and ahhh at those great colours and mountain scenes, Congrats on top health report. I'm down in the dumps with a sore throat and back.

Sciarada said...

Ciao Betsy, autumn colors warm the soul with their unique harmony!
Have a good week!

Beth said...

As I'm sure you already know, you are blessed to live so close to the Smokies that you can do a weekend 'jaunt' in them!
My favorite is the one you esp. liked. It looks like a painting where the artist daubed in the bright splashes of color---beauriful.
And in my opinion, everything looks better around a lake, so I esp. liked that last photo.
Thanks for sharing, Betsy. Hope your week is wonderful.
Oh and congrats and thanks to God for your great health checks!
Beth :)

Twilight Man said...

Your photos are lovely! I loved the Falls season very much during my student days in Pittsburgh, Pa. I miss US very much!!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thanks for allowing me to join you on this trip.The color is spectacular and the picture with just a small amount of red splashes,it looks like a painting only more beautiful.
I too praise God for you and the good health you enjoy.
Blessings,Ruth

Jane said...

The colors are gorgeous. I am stil waiting for ours to appear. Glad that both of you recevied good news from your physicals. That means that you will be blogging for a long time to come, right??

Jane

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Betsy, I am sorry I have been so out of it lately...just got back from Virginia, from a funeral of one of my brothers. (James, Nookie)...I thought we might see some of the fall colors on our trip but we didn't...they weren't in full color yet. I have thoroughly enjoyed your pictures here. You always take me back in time to another place...another time...and I love you for that.

From the Kitchen said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful all of them! The second photo with the color, the hint of shadow on the mountains and the puffy white clouds in the blue sky is gorgeous!

Best,
Bonnie

Rama Ananth said...

Those pictures are all lovely. And of course one can see the patch of reddish reflection on the water. My husband did his MS and Phd from Nashville Tennessee, and he loves the music of that place. Though I have never been there, yet from him I too developed a liking for the country music of that place.
I happened to come by your site through Amin's picture blog.
Do visit my blogs whenever you have time. The mountains look very much like the Blue mountains of Nilligiri,( Blue Mountains) which is hill station in South India, and is also famous for its tea.

MadSnapper said...

well you certainly found the autumn colors this trip. these are all gorgeous. magnificnet mountains

Big Dude said...

Nice shots Betsy. Next time - I live about 15 minutes from the Parkways intersection with US-129 at Chilhowee Lake and right on the way from there back to I-40. Come on by Almost Heaven South and sit a spell.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Beautiful, beautiful! I took a short drive through the countryside north of here yesterday; minimal color -- except BROWN. I fear we will have no such colorful displays this fall. Thanks for sharing your lovely, lovely photos!

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord for your good physical results. You had a marvelous day for enjoying the beautiful Smokies and the fall colors. Thank you so much for sharing your trip. The reds especially are such a treat for the eyes! Have a great Monday.

Snap said...

Wow, Betsy. Beautiful color! Autumn is really special.

Connie said...

Wonderful photos, Betsy! I liked the one with bits of red too. Happy to hear you got good reports from your Dr. appointments. Happy Monday to you! :)

Susie said...

Glad you got good reports. That's great!

Thanks for sharing such beautiful colors with us. Love the reds myself.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I love both the big and the little splashes of RED! :-)

Diane AZ said...

Betsy, thank you for posting these gorgeous images! Especially love the one with little splashes of red...so soft and contemplative.

Arkansas Patti said...

Congrats on the good check ups. Lots of hiking and positive attitudes pay off.
Looks like you may have a good leaf peeper season. Like Pat Arkansas said, while brown is truly a color, it is the color of dominance here. Think we may be in for another ho hum season.
Keep you pictures coming for those of us not so fortunate.

Dorothy said...

Wonderful pictures, Betsy! A couple of years ago we got some good reflections at Lake Chilhowee right at sunset. It was a magical time. Send more pictures!!!!

Glenda said...

Looking at these beautiful colors and scenery remind me of our visits there - and of how much I love this season!

So glad you can write the words "good health" after your long bout with knee problems!!

carolina nana said...

Those are beautiful pictures,we have traveled the Foothills Parkway and enjoyed the views from there several years back. I think they call highway 11 in upper SC the Foothills Parkway as it runs past Table Rock, but I may be wrong.
Hope you have a blessed day.
Marilyn

Christmas-etc... said...

Such lovely pictures showing such a great time. I too like the trees with the splashes of red showing through - it almost has an impressionist feel to it, but with an American flare(cause this could be nowhere but the eastern seaboard of the USA!). Great about your check-ups - that's always welcomed news!
Blessings,
Ann

Lynda said...

Praise God with you on the reports of the physicals. I need to make an appointment to go for bloodwork. It's time.
LOVE the pictures. The one with the lake and the trees is so perfect, it almost doesn't seem real. I do like your picture with the splashes of red in it.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Georgous pictures, but the lake by the dam is the best!

Anonymous said...

Oh Betsy, beautiful colors, beautiful skies, beautiful mountains, beautiful lake!

I went to Missouri Botanical Gardens in St Louis Sat w/ my uncle & took 377 pics, then drove the countryside around here in SeMo of the fall colors & barns & took another 236 pics - my camera was very busy over the weekend! heheheee

Peggy said...

I am seriously waiting on your photo book to be published. You have such awesome photos to share. Love seeing the mountains in full color.

Karin said...

So glad for a great doctor's report for you both! What a great trip you've had - those photos are wonderful! Our colors are all gone and now it's back to drab for six months. That's why I love coming along for the ride through your photos and still enjoy the scenery in other places of the world!

Have a great week! At work until Thursday this week and then heading out to visit daughter and family for my 4 day week-end! Take care!

Janice K said...

Beautiful pictures!..You are so fortunate to live so close to those wonderful mountains.

We just returned from a trip West and went through Colorado both coming and going just to see the brilliant yellow of the aspen trees.

Our leaves are turning here at home now, but I don't think they are quite as pretty as in some years past--maybe because it has been so dry lately, but my dear husband has been out blowing leaves at least every other day. The oaks are still very green, so his job isn't near done.

Diane said...

All beautiful, Betsy, but I,too, love #6.. Maybe it's the shape showing the tall trees but it's gorgeous. Diane

Anonymous said...

Betsy, you never fail to amaze me with your photos. These photos are great and the colors are so beautiful!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

These photos are really beautiful, Betsy. Thanks in part to your wonderful photos, I just know that hubby and I have a trip to the Smoky Mountains coming up in our future, and to Cade's Cove...preferably during the fall season!

A good doctor's report is always great news...congrats!

Have a good Monday,
Cheryl

DeniseinVA said...

Betsy, your pictures are always such a joy to behold. These are absolutely fantastic.

Unknown said...

G'day Betsy ~ Oh, I wish the hills were that alive when we were down there, 2 weeks makes all the difference. Yes, they are gorgeous ... it brings back many a memory from earlier trips ... awesome. God's paint brush is richly painting His beautiful earth.

Have a beautiful week.
TTFN Hugs, Marydon

Kay said...

So pretty. We don't get that much color here in SoCal.

Becca's Dirt said...

I dropped my jaw at the same photo you said you are drawn to. Postcard perfect as is the last picture.

Busy Bee Suz said...

So glad you both got A+'s on your physicals!
Love all the bright brilliant fall colors...especially against the BLUE skies.
Gorgeous

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'm glad you and George had good feedback from your physicals, Betsy!

The autumn color around the Smokey Mountains is beautiful! I especially liked the photo of the lake rimmed by red and orange trees.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

It is always great to get good test results!!! I also love the reds in your photos!!! Gorgeous scenery in these photos Betsy...hopefully we will get to Chattanooga at the end of the month...hope the color lasts!!!

raji said...

hi betsy..iam new to ur blog,and found u at rama's blog.I like the colors of the autumn,beautiful pictures.

Barbara said...

Oh Betsy those are just breath taking, I so want to be up there, our colors are so few here, hugs and know you are in my thoughts.

Catherine said...

Those reds in those photos are truly popping Betsy. That color is fall at it's finest.

So glad you and George got a clean bill of health. Very very good to hear. I am thinking you two are 'good to go' for at LEAST another 20 years!!!

Happy Monday friend,
xo Catherine

SmilingSally said...

Just gorgeous, Betsy.

Please come see my outside shots.

Unknown said...

Pretty Pretty!!!!! Wish I could blink myself there!

Valerie said...

I love the reds as well - probably because our yard is mostly yellow and oranges - I love to see the red firebushes so many folks have around here.

amelia said...

Wonderful, wonderful pictures Betsy!!
Our trees are bare now and the north wind is blowing hard...

Anonymous said...

A pop tent, cooler, bunsen burner & some food and you could leave me there for weeks on end. Love it. So unbelieveably beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Tammy

JDS said...

Nice scenery. I've been on the Foothills Pkwy several times and think it is one of America's greatest unknown gems. It is close to our most-visited national park, yet there is very little traffic. And I like how the east-looking views show the nearby jumble of the Smokies, while the west-looking views show a broad flat valley with the Cumberlands rising behind it in the distance.

imac said...

Yuo're right, you cant beat Autumn Colours.

nanny said...

How wonderful to live that close to such beauty......The colors are wonderful....I love the reds! I drove around yesterday and some some color but no red! Isn't fall great and to have good checkups...life is good!!! We have so much to be thankful for!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Color me Happy. I love visiting with you. I always go away so Happy...m...

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Betsy. Glad to hear both you and George got good reports. Your photos are just gorgeous. The Fall colors are wonderful there, it is a little slower here.

Pedaling said...

all, very stunning.
i think the last one is my favorite!
hip-hip-hooray for a good dr. report!

JDS said...

Hi Betsy, thanks for visiting my "Stanton's Space" blog again. As it turns out, we have been to Cataloochee and it is gorgeous. It's a lot like Cades Cove, but smaller and higher up with less traffic; in other words, you should find solitude and great foliage! I hope you see elk -- we weren't fortunate enough to see any on our trip, but that's probably because we went in January.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, I too like that picture that shows the dam and lake with the beautiful trees!

Have a great day tomorrow!

Reanaclaire said...

Looking at these pics ... i imagine myself standing there admiring the awesome sights God has created..
Really beautiful!

Fred Alton said...

Love your pictures Betsy! You and George have a knack for capturing the beauty of nature on film.

Velvet Over Steel said...

More beautiful fall pictures, Betsy!! I agree too, you are very lucky to live in Georgia.. although you know that I'm sure! :-) You are so appreciative & positive!!

Have a wonderful week!!
Blessings & Big Hug,
Coreen

Janie said...

So glad to hear that you and George have excellent doctor reports.
Love the vivid reds you saw on your drive, and the day was perfect for mountain visibility. Thanks for sharing the fall beauty of Tennessee.

KathyA said...

My eyes are always drawn to those splashes of red as well.

ruthinian said...

your fall landscape is gorgeous! i love the photo of the lake... it's so lovely.

Sunny said...

Beautiful Autumn colors and the skies are so pretty too.
Good news on your physicals!
☼ Sunny

Sunny said...

Beautiful Autumn colors and such a pretty sky.
Glad you passed your physicals with flying colors :)
☼ Sunny

SquirrelQueen said...

I love all of the splashes of red but that one close up of the red leaves is gorgeous.

Glad to hear you and George both got a clean bill of health, always great news.