Above is another picture showing where Cades Cove is. You can't see it because it is surrounded by mountains. BUT--it is down in the 'cove' between that ridge and the mountains behind. It is only 8 miles from where we were!
George took this picture of me on the tower... Below on the right is the Foothills Parkway. The water to the left is Lake Santeetlah near Robbinsville, NC.
This picture was taken with my 300mm long lens... I am facing west. That is steam from the Watts Bar TVA Plant in the distance... The Watts Bar Dam is nearby --and that is Highway 68 --near Spring City, TN. That is quite a distance from where we were on that tower. Amazing... The water to the left in that picture is part of Fort Loudon Lake I think.
The row of mountains in the distance are Walden's Ridge --which are very close to where we live on the Cumberland Plateau. I don't know how many miles it is from the tower to the Cumberland Plateau, but when we drive it, it takes us about two and a half hours. (Like I said yesterday, this was an extremely clear day!)
This is Rich Mountain (in the middle)--which George and I traveled across in September.. Check out that post by clicking HERE for Part I and HERE for Part II. I took this picture with my 300mm long lens from the Observation Tower. Rich Mountain was 10 miles from where we were, and it is 3,686 feet high.
This is Clingman's Dome --also taken from the Observation Tower with my long lens; Clingman's Dome is the peak in the distance and is 6,643 feet high, and is 26 miles from where we were... Amazing, isn't it?
Finally, this is Mt. LeConte in the distance--taken from the tower, with my long lens. Mt. LeConte is 6,593 feet high and is 29 miles from where we were. Our friends, Judy and Charlie, climb up to Mt. LeConte every year and stay in the lodge on top of that mountain...
Visiting this tower was truly fabulous since we could see so many of the places where we have been. IF you are ever near Townsend, TN---please visit the Foothills Parkway and hike to the Observation Tower. It's awesome!!!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We got the rest of the Pansies planted (72 total) yesterday... We have them in 5 different beds/areas in our front yard... Hope they make it through the winter.. Usually (unless we have a really harsh winter) they will last here until about July (when it gets really hot). They are so pretty... I am a Pansy lover for sure!!!!!
Hugs,
Good Morning Betsy, You certainly were blessed with clear weather for your visit to the mountains. The views are so pretty. Congrats on getting the pansies set out; they are one of my favorites too. Hope you have a good day.
ReplyDeleteThe photos do show how clear the weather was...what a spectacular view! Show the pansies, lol.
ReplyDeletestill singing on a clear day I can see forever.... gorgeous.. me tooo on the pansy loving. hope they make it through the winter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos - so nice that is was so very clear!
ReplyDeleteJane
Spectacular mountain views Betsy !
ReplyDeleteWe normally stay overlooking Mt. LeConte such a breathtaking experience.
Winter pansies are my favorite, so hardy and all that color throughout the drab Winter months.
...neat concept seeing in one quick view all the places that take hours to drive to! I definitely want to make it up that tower one of these days!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see some of those pansies!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Betsy!
xo Catherine
...neat concept seeing in one quick view all the places that take hours to drive to! I definitely want to make it up that tower one of these days!
ReplyDeleteI love those beautiful scenes.I always marvel at the beauty which is all around us,be the mountains or those pretty pansies you have planted.I do hope we get to see some pictures of those smiling faces.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Betsy, thank you for sharing the extremely good photos from Observation point, and especially, for sharing the location of things! I pulled up my map and studied geography with you. ☺
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are gorgeous (even the one of you :) ). I like that drive. It wasn't nice and clear when we went to the tower like it shows in your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see those views.....simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love pansies too. It is so nice to see their colors in the winter. I need to get busy and plant some.
Have a good day. It is dark and raining off and on here. Was hard to get up this morning/ha
Great pictures with your long lens! You really could see for miles and miles and miles!
ReplyDeleteWow! Beautiful shots. I love the cloud shadows on the mountains.
ReplyDelete☼ Sunny
Beautiful pictures. We have driven
ReplyDeleteCades Cove several times. Have pictures with bear and cubs crossing and going into a tree. It is a beautiful place to go.
What an "overview!" I have really enjoyed your trip. So beautiful....
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Betsy! Some pretty skies! Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteI have ALWAYS wanted to stay at LeConte Lodge! I think that would be just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteOn your trip west, you will be amazed at the distances that you can see!!
I'm not doing pansies this year, because every spring they still look good when it is time for me to pull them up and plant annuals.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Betsy. I love the bluish cast to everything, including your shirt. Very pretty. Diane
ReplyDelete"On a clear day......" etc.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Betsy. Nothing like a grand view.
I am blessed to See Mt. Rainier (14,814ft) 200 miles away (at least or as the crow flies) just from my deck. It is splendid!!
I love looking at your pics and travelling with you. LOL
Show us your pansies too. MB
Beautiful amazing views!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the pansies.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful views you captured!!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see all your pretty pansies. :)
Betsy, I enjoyed your pictures made from the tower, especially since we didn't hike up there and look. Maybe next time! Thanks for all the info! Your Pansies will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSomething strange happened with my comment!! I extolled the beauty of the mountains and you new header. Sleet here right now. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
You two are better than us for trips away,lol.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Betsy.
Thanks for taking such great pictures from the tower for us scaredy cats too chicken to climb.
ReplyDeleteWow that is a lot of pansies. Bet it looks great. Pictures???
Spectacular views again Betsy!! I'd never make it to the top but then I'll probably never have the chance either!!
ReplyDeleteIt's remarkable to me when the clouds cast those shadows on the mountains. One doesn't seem to be able to appreciate that in other settings -- except maybe, from an airplane.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the photos of the 'pansy blanket'!!
So enjoyed so amazing vistas - and God created all of that for us to enjoy. How beautifully extravagant! And He created us for His enjoyment. Am just filled with AWE today! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love pansies! I hope yours do well. Magnificent views in your photos, Betsy! Thank you for sharing them. :)
ReplyDeleteStunning! Give me a good cup of coffee, I have your view to enjoy. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh Betsy,... your lovely blog makes me so homesick for that neck of the woods. I'm living in South Texas right now, but I hope and pray we can move back to North Alabama, Tennessee or North Carolina real soon.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful part of the US.
I will be following all your new posts.
I am jealous about your pansies. We have too many trees for them to grow well here - - - - but I have not planted them in the front bed yet. I might need to try that. I had about declared NEVER to plant another flower until we cut down trees but you know I don't want to do that either.
ReplyDeleteAnd your pictures - - - - too, too amazing and beautiful.
Love the pictures of the mountains with shadows from the clouds on them.
ReplyDeleteI am a great fan of pansies,I love their little faces!
It has been cloudy here all day but no rain. We are supposed to get the coldest temps so far tomorrow night and Friday.
Hope you have a blessed tomorrow
Marilyn
You have a great camera to take your pictures.....and I love seeing all your pictures...hope your pansies make it too can't want to see them. God Bless Trish
ReplyDeleteYou look so very beautiful and happy......hugs....m...
ReplyDeleteReally nice Betsy! I MUST get myself back there. Much to see...
ReplyDeleteI didn't think you could outdo yesterday's photos but you did, these are gorgeous views.
ReplyDeleteYou are also reminding me of places I have been but forgot about like Watts Bar Dam and Clingman's Dome. I wish that observation tower had been there when my family and I vacationed in the area.
Before I forget again, I really like your header. I think about "The Little Church in the Wildwood" when I see it.
You had wonderful viewing conditions, and a wonderful view to enjoy! I love the layers and layers of mountains in the distance.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised pansies can survive under snow. It's nice that you don't have to replant them every spring.