We had picked a perfect day to be on that tower. A front had blown through the day before --so this day was as clear as a bell. Remember the song: "On a Clear Day---You can see FOREVER"???? One man at the tower said that he had been there many times and it was the clearest day he had seen... SO---for us, it was fabulous!!!!
Above is a picture of the tower. The hike up the mountain was only about a half a mile--and was worth it. Below are more!
I took this picture from the tower ---looking down at the road (Foothills Parkway) below toward the right. Now--look at the picture below this one, for a look from the opposite direction. See that lake in the distance? That is LakeSanteetlah (near Robbinsville, NC). The Cherohala Skyway is in the distance.
Later, when we were on the parkway, I took a picture of the tower ---way up there. Can you see it????? Now look back at the picture above this one... See if you can find our road!!!!
From the tower, you can see Maryville AND Knoxville in the distance, as I looked north, at the Tennessee Valley.
I took this picture of George --while we were on the tower (facing south).
Cades Cove is over that ridge in between the mountains. As you can tell, since we went in September, there wasn't much Autumn color on the tops of the mountains yet... We did see color on the Foothills Parkway--but not so much from the top of the tower. BUT--we weren't complaining --since it was so clear up there.
I will post Part II from the Observation Tower tomorrow.
Hope you had a good day yesterday. We planted about half of our Pansies... We love Pansies since they usually last through Winter and Spring ---until it gets really hot, about July.
Hugs,
55 comments:
Hi Betsy, What pretty views and such delightful weather! I am thoroughly enjoying your tour of the mountains ~ I have never visited this area and the tower views are spectacular. I know your pansies will be so pretty!
Such gorgeous views! Love the new header as well!
Jane
THose views are lovely.
Ruth
Gorgeous. It does look like a perfect day. Your pictures are so crisp and clear.
Great shots from a beautiful day. I'd have to guess it's been more than 30 years since I've been to Look Rock - time sure goes by fast.
I know I can count on some beautiful views when I visit your blog. Even driving to Virginia on I-64 and I-81, I was treated to those beautiful vistas--alas, no photos since "shooting photos" while driving must be right up there with texting. At one point on I-64, just entering Virginia, I looked at seven mountain ridges that were ablaze with color and with white fog in the valleys between--and no way to stop for a photo! Ah, but the memory is still with me.
Best,
Bonnie
the perfect fall photos! Working on that book yet?????
I found your road! could not have been a better day for your photos, lovely and i also FOUND George. there he is in front of all that wonderuful mountain scenery.
Wow, Betsy, these are fabulous photos of that amazing view!!! The sky was so gorgeous!!!
So pretty, Betsy! Fantastic views in every direction. Sounds like you had a great time. :)
You and George are so energetic! Or maybe Jeep is just lazy! He doesn't like to hike anywhere! I DID make a picture of the tower at Look Rock! You have some great pictures posted today.
Everytime I look at those pics my heart skips a beat. The pics are calling out to me.
Love your new header pic Betsy.So very pretty!
It's true! You can see forever! Amazing views for sure :)
☼ Sunny
Betsy, "you can see forever" was my first thought too in looking at those beautiful photos. Amazing! and such clarity.
Wow. What gorgeous views Betsy. I am so glad you visited on a clear day too.
Love pansies. Did you tell them to GROW GROW GROW!!!!!
Love the new picture at the top of your blog! You were lucky to be there on such a clear day.
How wonderful to be planting pansies this time of year! Very fun!
xo Catherine
These are wonderful views of the Smokies! It's great to live close to them and have appreciation for the beauty God placed in nature in our part of the world. l've said it before - I've traveled to lots of places in the world and never seen anything any prettier or more soothing to the nerves than our East Tennessee mountains!
I can't imagine planting anything right now as our ground is already frozen!!! It must be so nice to have flowers throughout the year!
We have to get to your part of the world one day. I don't think I have ever seen such beauty!!
The mountains are beautiful, I love looking at them. Driving over them, not so much.
Hi Betsy, I wonder how many miles you can see from those heights. It is a thrilling sight to me since we live in one of the flattest areas of Florida.
You have been having great sunny weather down your way. We are really getting cold today...may just break 50!
What lovely views. It's almost always worth the climb to see those long-range views.
Wow! It certainly was worthwhile going up the observation tower. What wonderful views :-)
I always like going on these trips with you;) Beautiful!
Hi Betsy, Wonderful views! You and George are certainly enjoying that awesome scenery. Have a good day today!
I'm glad you took pictures for I would just have to take your word for it. I have such a fear of heights and miss all the great views. Sigh.
Me too on panseys. I am busy now planting them after pullin out the plants that the frost got.
They and dianthus are quite winter hardy.
What a great view from the tower! Lovely place!
Great photos as usual.
Great views and photos. Reminds me I've been neglecting my Firetowers LOL
Great shots! I love the Townsend area - and I've always thought that Maryville is such a beautiful, clean town.
Have a beautiful week!
I love that you and George get out so much to see a part of the country that you both obviously love. It makes me smile warmly :-)
I'd only get to see these kind of views from beautiful photos such as yours, Betsy. I'm deathly afraid of heights and would never make it to top of the tower! I've tried and had to back down. Just call me a wimp, I guess...:)
Have a good day,
Cheryl
My knees are knocking just looking at that tower, I wouldn't have made it. I'm terrified of heights! I know, I know I miss a lot of good views AND shots because of this but at least I can look at yours!! Nice post, Betsy. Diane
You guys sure do get around! Fabulous views.
Looks a great trip, grand shots too.
Great photos...and lucky you to be there to take them on such a clear day. Pretty incredible!
Fantabulous!!!
It does look like you can see forever. What fun to be up on an observation tower. Lucky you guys. Keep the pics coming. MB
Gorgeous view..... Betsy hope you have a good week. God Bless Trish
Wonderful!! Heights scare me so the tower would have been a little scary for me, but I love the high views so much, it would have been worth it for me to try it. ha
Great photos, Betsy!
It looks like your timing for this visit to the tower was indeed perfect, I am amazed at the clear sky.
I forgot all about Pansies, maybe I should see if I can find some. You say you have planted half....goodness how many are you planting?
More beautiful photos. I love the little chapel in your header picture.
It is really starting to feel like fall here.
Blessings to you
Marilyn
Beautiful views from the tower!
As amazing as these views are (that valley is something else!!!) I can only imagine what they're like in full color!!
I am SO glad that you had such a clear day! I don't think I've EVER seen it so clear!
You and George are the model for growing togetjher gracefully.
You must be very fit too, doing all the hiking and up the tower. I remember I was 20, when I climbed up the Statue of Liberty. I think I was huffing and puffing away.
Glad you like the scooter story. My dad had a BSA. Plenty more stories there.
Hi Betsy, the views are so beautiful, reminding me of my Mt Gulugod Baboy visit in summer and now during rainy season. Your skies are so clear and blue, so refreshing. And...you have 46 commenters ahead of me, so many friends visiting here. You are famous, hehe!
...my oh my! What a view!! So glad you were there on one of the clearest days ever!! I also love your new header photo. I love the misty color surrounding the little white church!
What a lovely breathtaking sight. It's good for the body, mind and soul to relax there.
Wow, Betsy! That IS such a clear view! The mountains look so pretty and seem to go on forever.
♥ Pat
One of my favorite thing about living in the south (3 short years) was the ability to plant flowers that would last thru the winter! I loved pansies!!
My New Guinea Inpatients (planters on my porch) finally lost the battle as they were bit by the frost and are dead now. Still have some yellow on my marigold plants - but the the bushes are completely brown.
Probably another month and we will have completely descended into the colorless time of the year. So not looking forward to the time change this weekend. I just hate it when it is dark at 430 - 500 in the evening. Makes for very long nights inside.
amazing captures. the views are breathtaking, i wish i were there too. glad you had nice weather as well.
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Wow! What a view and you were so lucky to have such a clear day. Lovely mountains. It must have been exhilarating up there.
You chose a wonderful day to climb to the observation tower! Beautiful views from up there.
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