This past Friday, George and I went to the Smokies to check out the Fall colors there.... WOW---is what we found!!!!!! We left home VERY early ---to see some good sky/sun/fog pictures in addition to the gorgeous Fall colors... AND--we weren't disappointed AT ALL.
The day before had brought rain to our area... But --this day was supposed to clear up and be a gorgeous, clear day. As you'll be able to see from the photos, the day started out cloudy--but it didn't take that sun very long to pop through!!!!
Here are just a few of the photos we took on that beautiful day in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Above was a great picture I captured along the bypass around Gatlinburg. I think God was smiling down on us ---and that sun was saying "Good Morning, World!" (That is fog glistening below the rays.) Click on pictures to enlarge!
We stopped at an overlook as we headed up the mountain on Highway 441 (between Gatlinburg and Cherokee) and captured this photo of the fog below us in the shadows.
About halfway up the mountain (north of the Chimneys hiking area), the colors got more and more vivid... Here is an example of some of the beauty we saw along the road on that ride up the mountain.
And since George and I love waterfalls/cascades/creeks, we stopped along the way to check out this great Smoky Mountain creek.
When we got further up the mountain (on either side of Newfound Gap), the colors just got more and more beautiful... I'm going to show you ONLY three of the many photos I took... Fall is always pretty---but this particular Fall day just seemed to be extra special!!! I think we got there at the EXACT right time...
Oh the gorgeous Smoky Mountains!!! We are so lucky to live close enough to enjoy them---all times of year, but especially in Autumn!
Finally, here is one more for you today.. We are so blessed to live in such a magnificent world that God created for us... I hope we all learn to take better care of it!!!!!
Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our photos from the Smokies. I'll share more at another time because we managed to take a big bunch!!!! ha
Hugs,
Betsy
I wish my last trip there had been so beautiful! Nothing was even green yet, much less orange, gold and red. Lovely as always, Betsy.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. I shall never vistit your country but when I see your pictures it seems I am there. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeyond gorgeous, Betsy. The vivid colors, esp. the vibrant orange, are incredible!
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed fortunate to live in the Great Smokies AND to realize that you're fortunate.
Each year when teaching the first section of American lit. which includes journals of men like John Smith who helped found Jamestown, I am reminded of how spectacular America looked to those first settlers. Frightening and daunting, yes, but unbelievably beautiful and bountiful.
I also do a section on Native Americans and what is so obvious is their appreciation for this land. I can't even fathom the depth of misery they felt to see their beloved woods cut down, and hunting grounds decimated.
Can you imagine what the early ones would say to mountain top removal mining?
Anyhow, wonderful way to begin the morning---viewing your beautiful Smokies. :>) Hope your day is equally wonderful.
...it's beautiful, Betsy! This weather this weekend was amazing! We saw fall color this weekend too. We went to Carter Caves, KY and had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to live in the paradise!! Thanks for your photo spread.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you picked a perfect day and time of year - the mountain colors are awesome
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the first photo! Looks like you had a beautiful day to go.
ReplyDeleteYou were definitely rewarded with beautiful views that day, Betsy! Wow! I love all that color. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Peak leaf season is supposed to hit next week here.
ReplyDeletethese are all absolutely beautiful, awesome and picture postcard perfect. wow they are
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! It looks like God took the brightest and best colours and spilled them all over those mountains.I love it.The first picture is equally as beautiful. I love those sunbeams.
ReplyDeleteBETSY STOP!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI still have 10 days to go and you are killing me with these AWESOME pics! Wish you and George would come back to Townsend while I'm there!
I'd make it worth the drive by cooking for you! :) XOXO
Wonderful pictures of our favorite Fall destination!!! All of them are great, especially the last one!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Pictures, Betsy! You and George have that touch. I take pictures this good - but only in my mind! My actual camera shots don't turn out so good...but it's o.k. because I know you and George are there grabbing every exquisite detail that highlights our wonderful part of the world.
ReplyDeleteI am a true tree hugger so those photos made my heart sing with joy. What a beautiful world we live in. Peace
ReplyDeleteWOW is right!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, you know how Doug and I love the Smokies. I'm not sure we're going to get down there this fall, so thank you for posting these gorgeous pictures. It looks as if we're missing a pretty spectacular fall there this year.
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy, I was in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park this Summer once and I enjoyed being there in spite of the crowds. Since that park is close to many Eastern states and has no admission fee, it is a popular place in Summer. I think it is best to see it in Fall or maybe Springtime. Great pictures! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful selection of pics you have shared. This is one of my favorite areas to have visited in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteWOW is the right word, Betsy. These photos--and those colors--are spectacular. Now I have to send a link to my sister (and Smoky Mountain traveling companion) so she can see the Smokies as you found them. Beautiful, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous photos, Betsy. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTrees have not started to turn here yet.
Blessings!
wow...spectacular! I have seen very little color so far.
ReplyDeletethose last three photos inspired a {gasp} from me! SOOOOO beautiful! thank you, betsy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely trip you took on my birthday!! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos! The first one does look like God pulling the clouds apart and saying, "Wakey, wakey, sleepyheads!" We've been enjoying great weather here too - have just been so busy with doctor's appointments, couple of work shifts and packing boxes that we haven't enjoyed it in leisure!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you get to just take a 'drive' and see all this beauty!!!!!!! I love the fall colors Betsy....gorgeous.
ReplyDeletexoxox
The leaves are just gorgeous this year, the dry spell we experienced doesn't seem to have hurt them whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo looks so celestial, breathtakingly spectacular, what wonderful shots you've shared, of one of the most beautiful places in this country.
Thank you.
~Jo
What can you say but "Magnificent," and give praise to our Creator!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! Love it Betsy and thanks for sharing this beauty with us.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos Betsy. There are people who live all their lives and never get to see these beautiful fall colors displayed like this.
ReplyDeleteStunning! You did a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Wow, I think I'm speechless!! Such beauty! The color there is so much better than it is here this year. A lot of our trees are just turning brown. I just love the fall colors and these are magnificent! Thanks for taking that trip for the photos and sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteWow is right!! Gorgeous colors. Fall is certainly a beautiful time of year!!
ReplyDeleteOh, how gorgeous! I really need to go on a vacation there sometime.
ReplyDeleteI know you went at the exact right time - love those reddish leaves - I think those are kind of rare in this area. And the skies - awesome. Love the waterfall too! Another great trip - thanks for taking me along!
ReplyDeletesandie
Real nice colours Betsy, well worth the travel.
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous pictures, Betsy! Sharing your wonderful trip has truly brightened my day! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe Ozarks are one of the prettiest places for fall. As usual, you captured its beauty perfectly.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colors Betsy! Fall time in the mountains makes for a beautiful scene, you captured it wonderfully. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteWow!! You take such awesome pics, Betsy!! I think you should be in the post-card business. Really! I'd buy them all!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a good time and thanks so much for sharing. You do spread joy with this blog.
Hugs
Oh my! You did time that trip perfectly! So glad you were able to see (and share!) those beautiful colors:)
ReplyDeleteOh yes Betsy! God was smiling at you and George this weekend! Your pictures are just breathtakingly beautiful! Just stunningly beautiful! I afraid to report that with the high winds we've had the past few days most of the leaves around where I live have fallen off already.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Angela
Gorgeous! I can't wait until we get a little more fall color here.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful shots Betsy but that first one just takes your breath away - it's gorgeous!!! Blessings, Diane
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. I never get tired of seeing pics of those great "Smokies".
ReplyDeleteDearly love them. Sure would like to see them in person.
Thanks Betsy for taking me along with yall...I loved every picture. Actually, I have been longing to go to the Smokey Mountains for a couple of years now. Maybe this next year!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are blessed to live so close..
Shug
Autumn is indeed a good time to hike and visit outside
ReplyDeleteYour photos really explain the beauty of autumn colors, like you I also hope the care and attention of nature by men l! !!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular colors this year! Of all the places I have lived or visited none has had autumn colors to match the Smokies.
ReplyDeleteWe are still mostly green here so it's fun to see everyone's color.
That river is not just nice -- it's really beautiful! So clear -- and you captured that so well.
ReplyDeleteAll the pictures show the magnificence of that area. Just amazing.
What a patchwork of color! I never tire of fall colors....and that first shot is awesome. I just commented on one almost like it at George's blog!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Betsy!! The pics look like a painting! But then again they are .... and God was the artist!! Such beauty! I have meant to say how much I love your new pics on your header and now I think it is fair to say this is where they came from! I just can't get over the amazing COLORS!! I can only imagine seeing them in person...I think I would be just speechless !!!
ReplyDeleteI think your pics would make such lovely postcards or calendars!! Seriously..... someone needs to hire you because you are such an amazing photographer!
Oh, Betsy - - - there aren't enough words to describe the beauty of it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing these - - -especially that header shot - -- - because we aren't going to be taking any weekend drives any time soon. We will be in home repair land! And praising God for our construction heroes!!! I am thankful to get to see the mountains through your visits - - - saves gas, too!
ReplyDeleteThose are gorgeous. Of course I never get tired of looking at pictures like these.
ReplyDeleteWow..that first shot blows me away...just stunning!
ReplyDelete