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...

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Autumn in the Smokies -Part I

The first day of our trip was spent seeing the Fall colors in the Smokies,  the Blue Ridge Parkway and Balsam Mtn. Road.  If you missed yesterday's post,  be sure and click on Older Post --at the bottom of today's blog.   There is an explanation of our trip on that post.

We took Highway 441 from Gatlinburg over the mountain to Cherokee, NC.   Today's pictures are all from the overlooks along that beautiful stretch of road..  Above is a picture of the Chimneys,  which is one of the popular hikes in the Smokies.  Below are more pictures of the beauty that we saw.




This ole woman absolutely LOVES Autumn --and all of the colors!!!! Can you tell????? ha ha








I love seeing the blue skies in this picture....  Aren't the colors just gorgeous?




Every Autumn,  depending upon the weather,  the colors are a little bit different.   This year is no exception...  I love seeing the mountain ranges--but shooting directly into the sun isn't always easy!!!!




George is standing with one foot in each state,   Tennessee and North Carolina.  This is Newfound Gap,  a popular stopping place along Highway 441 over the mountain.  




This is a gorgeous picture showing the beautiful reds. Red is my favorite Fall color --although this year,  I particularly enjoyed the maroons also.




Finally, here's another 'beauty' for you showing more of the mountain ranges... You certainly know why they are called the "SMOKY" Mountains,  don't you?

Hope you have enjoyed Part I of my photos.   I'll post Part II soon.  

Yesterday,  we visited blog friend, MILDRED, and her hubby, John,  in Georgia.  Had a FABULOUS time...  She blogged about our visit today --and I'll blog about it tomorrow.  Because we were gone ALL day,  I didn't get to comment on blogs much yesterday...  I promise that I will catch up with you SOON.  Don't give up on me!!!!

Have a wonderful Tuesday.
Hugs,

P.S.  Since most of you know that we haven't had any rain in a long time,  I want to report that we had a really good rain Sunday night/Monday morning....   It rained off and on all night... Yeah Rah... We really needed it!!!!!   We may even get some more this week...  Thanks to those of you who have been doing the Rain Dance for us!!!

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

John and I really enjoyed spending the afternoon visiting with you and George.

These mountain photos are gorgeous. Looks like there were lots of folks out enjoying the fall colors with you.

Wishing you a good day!

diane b said...

The mountain views are spectacular. How lucky to have them so close to your home state. All the colours highlighted by the blue sky are just beautiful.

Twilight Man said...

Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! I also enjoy admiring at the reds which often stood out from the yellow and orange of God's palette! I wonder whether you will be shooting snowy mountains after Falls...?

pam said...

Gorgeous! I'm partial to the yellows against the deep blue sky. And YES the rain was wonderful!!!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

The colors and the photography is so wonderful...the word majestic is what pops into mind! Most of all I see a beautiful Young lady and her handsome husband who show us all what life is all about...Love and joy is written all over the two of you!!! Glad you had a wonderful visit!!!

Catherine said...

Your photos are beautiful Betsy ~ looks like you had some fun!

There is snow all over the ground here today Betsy. Would you be so kind as to bottle some heat and send it to me, and I in return will do another rain dance for you.

Thanks friend!
xo Catherine

Darla said...

Love the variations of fall color here. Cute photo of George in tow states at one time. Wish we could get some rain here.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

I dropped by from Mildred's blog! So sweet of you and George to visit them. Beautiful mountain views! I've always wanted to go to Lookout Mountain where I'm told you can see a bunch of states (I can't remember if it's 4 or 7).

Harriet said...

Looks like you had great weather for seeing the Fall colors!

Jane said...

I am enjoying your fall colors vicariously! Don't know if I will make to the mountains in person this year or not,

Jane

amelia said...

How totally wonderful that you got to visit with Mildred and John!! Had you planned it or did you surprise them??

Wonderful pictures again, the fall has to be the prettiest time of all for sure!

Arkansas Patti said...

Beautiful shots Betsy. That is a favorite part of NC for me. Used to camp in that area.
So glad you got some rain, those water falls of yours must be so relieved and refreshed.
We finally got some rain last night, along with howling winds. I'll take it no matter what hitchhikes along with it.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Wow,that is beautiful scenery.I love all those bright colors.Of course the Smokies in the background add their own beauty as well.
We have had rain most of the day yesterday and all night.
Blessings,Ruth

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Your photos are so pretty. As I commented on George's site, my husband and I have done the Chimney
Tops hike. I also like waterfalls and if I find one on a trail while we're traveling, you can be sure I make plans to hike to it. Thanks for sharing your photos.

Connie said...

Such gorgeous views, Betsy. Love your happy smile standing in front of all those pretty colors too! :D

Anonymous said...

Love the picture of you standing in front of the colorful leaves! Your post brings back memories of when Bob and I traveled over Rt 441 to Newfound Gap. The vistas were gorgeous and even more so in the autumn, as told in your photographs.

Neal said...

Absolutely gorgeous. I, like you, really enjoy the fall colors. I picked up about 8 bags of leaves yesterday...can't say I enjoy that. :)

Susie said...

Have you ever hiked to the top of the Chimneys? It's a killer hike but beautiful on top.

Tabor said...

I remember that lovely area and photos are never a disappointment.

Dorothy said...

Beautiful colors, Betsy! I hope they hold on until we get there!!

Snap said...

I really miss seeing the color change in the fall! Thanks for the *memories*!!!!! Beautiful, beautiful!!!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Your photos are just beautiful, Betsy. I feel like I am right there, I wish I really were! Am already working on hubby for a trip to the Smokies next fall!

Have a great day,
Cheryl

MadSnapper said...

your whole blog is breathtaking today Betsy, the colors of the header and the background and all the many colors of the mountians. sooo jealous i am whining. takes a big man to stand in two states.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Simply beautiful!

It gets so hard to come up with new words, to comment on lovely photos. So hard. Sounds like the same words, over and over. And yet....... They are simply beautiful.

Peggy said...

Betsy, now I have two reasons to be jealous! All those beautiful mountains and fall colors you enjoyed and then you got to see Mildred!! Lucky you. Looking forward to seeing more photos and reading about your visit.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous scenery -- well captured by your camera. I really enjoyed seeing your photos, Betsy; there's not much color here except brown. It is, however raining today (thank you, Lord), a nice steady drizzle.

Anonymous said...

I feel blessed to have found your beautiful blog, and now you've shared Mildred's...thank you so much!♥

Joe Todd said...

Betsy I love all the colors but I think red is my favorite. Looking forward to seeing some more photos. I wonder if there may be a waterfall LOL

Sunny said...

The mountains and the autumn colors...a magnificent tapestry.
☼ Sunny

CottonLady said...

Absolutely gorgeous pictures, but I especially like the ones of you and George!! I do miss all the trees-West Texas just doesn't have many and I miss them, especially now in the Fall. So I just travel along with you!! Thanks for sharing all the beauty.

Blessings!
CottonLady

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, Yea, I am doing the rain dance minus the wind and T storms!
Love those pictures of all the majestic fall colors! Have a watchful but splendid day - keep an eye on the weather as tornado watch is in effect here until 5:00 Central. Just a heads up.

I Am Woody said...

Makes me long for home! It has been a long time since we have been up 441! Thank you for taking me along:)

NCmountainwoman said...

Loved the photographs. Glad you got some rain.

Unknown said...

With that sweet smile on your face, I can tell how much you really love Autumn. I can't blame you --- autumn colors are really beautiful!

As always, very nice photos!

Ginny Hartzler said...

The last photo is spectacular! And you are one of the prettiest among those georgous fall leaves, I can feel your joy right through the screen!! A cool picture of George in two states at once! Boy, you really managed to pare things down, I was expecting lots more pictures from all the ones you took!! But maybe you will just have more posts.

nanny said...

With views like that I can see why fall is your favorite!!! I am enjoying it more than ususal this year too, even though the colors are drab in my area......Thanks for sharing the beauty with us!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful falls colors & pics, Betsy! I love this time of year, too!!!

Sharon said...

Lovely pictures! I believe when this storm goes through, a lot of those pretty leaves will be on the ground. :(

Trying to send more rain your way! :-)

imac said...

Just beautiful colours Betsy, true Autumn.
Also love your Autumn colour Header.

KathyA said...

Beautiful! And, yes, the happiness is clearly seen in both your faces! I love places like that where one can stand in two (or three!) states at one time!!

Kay said...

Oh wow...what beautiful color. I've always heard that the Smokie Mountains were beautiful.

Love Of Quilts said...

I'm a lover of the fall colors also and your pictures are just gorgeous....we have taken that trip a few time our selfs....have a good week. God Bless Trish

SquirrelQueen said...

Wow, the autumn colors are gorgeous. That last photo is spectacular, what a view. It looks like all the dryness didn't hurt the fall show at all.

Glad to hear you are finally getting some rain, I would love to send you some more of ours.

Carol said...

The colors are absolutely georgous..I miss the mountains of VT and their beautiful colors.

Fred Alton said...

You captured some absolutely wonderful pictures of the mountains. Frances and I were in Watertown, NY this week-end and the colors there were very pretty also. It was rainy and cold. We're getting a series of Tstrms tonight down here in SE TN.

Lola said...

Oh what gorgeous pics. They about took my breath away. I've seen these places many times.

Lynda said...

Just when I think you have posted the most beautiful pictures of the mountains, then you show us some even more gorgeous!

Diane said...

Beautiful autumn pictures Betsy. It sounds like you had a great time in the beautiful areas. Diane

The Retired One said...

I am SO loving these autumn photos of the mountains in color..they are gorgeous, Betsy!

penny said...

Thanks for taking me along on this beautiful fall journey, Betsy. If it were for you and George I would miss out on the beauty of fall completely.

There's a lot to be said for dancing in the rain, Betsy. Glad you had some rain.

carolina nana said...

Awesome pictures,glad you finally got some rain, we are getting quite a bit of rain but also some severe storms, we are under a tornado watch now.
Have a blessed tomorrow.
Marilyn

Glenda said...

Oh, I wish we were there!! But your pics are wonderful and show the colors so beautifully!

Still no rain for us . . . but soon maybe! Glad the showers refreshed your place!

Karin said...

You are both such wonderful tour guides! Your photos are absolutely stunning! I, too, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the reds! At least I've had many opportunities to see them with my own eyes - during all the years we lived in the east. Up here the reds are not so crisp and there's never enough of them for me, lol, although autumn is beautiful whichever way you look at it. -- Glad you had the rain. Be safe in the storm watch!!

Small City Scenes said...

Excellent shots Betsy. So gorgeous. One cannot get enough of this. thanks for sharing.
Well now George can say he REALLY has been in two places at once. LOL MB

Unknown said...

How beautiful! Hope this whopper storm doesn't shake off all the leaves. It hit us yesterday, but it looks like you are experiencing it this morning! Hang on!

Janie said...

Glad you had a good rain to relieve the drought.
All the autumn photos are beautiful - I love autumn, too!
I especially love the last one with the Smokies stretching into the distance and the red leaves in the foreground.

ruthinian said...

as always... your photos are breathtakingly beautiful. you never fail to amaze me.

Brenda S said...

I absolutely love your photos. You took them on our 25th wedding anniversary.......Oct 26th, 2010. Now I know where I want to plan an anniversary trip to. Thank you so much for sharing your pics. I live in Michigan but my folks are from KY and those beautiful mountains sing to my soul. We came through in January of this year on our way home from Florida visiting our kids. If I could live anywhere I choose, it would be somewhere in the midst of that beauty. We are 4 days away from our 28th wedding anniversary..........wish I was spending it in the Smokies! I would love to see Part 2 of your trip. Is it online, too?

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Brenda, I have no way to contact you other than this --and I 'm not sure you will come back to this site... Thanks for visiting my blog. I have LOTS of Fall Blogs (for several years). I even did one this past week. IF you go on my blog, scroll down to the Labels on my right sidebar. Under labels, scroll down to Fall--and you'll see them divided by years. In order to see the Part II you asked about, go to Fall 2010 and click on it. It will bring up all of the posts during Fall of 2010--and you will be able to scroll down to the Part II one.... I would encourage you to check out all of the years listed... There are some great posts from the Smokies each year. If I had your email, I could contact you easier. My email is betsyadams@mac.com.

Hugs,
Betsy