Look Rock Observation Tower, Foothills Pkwy-Part I

On September 14, George and I visited the Foothills Parkway in the Smokies near Townsend, TN. IF you missed the first post from this day-trip, click HERE. We had never been here before --but were excited when we found out that there was an Observation Tower on the top of the mountain at Look Rock. Of course, we 'had' to take that short hike just to check out the views. We were not disappointed...

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,

Autumn in the Smokies -Part II

This is another post from our recent trip to North Carolina.  If you missed either of the other two posts,  please scroll  down to Labels on my sidebar and click on MAGGIE VALLEY 10/10.   Today I will share more pictures taken as we crossed over Highway 441 --between Gatlinburg and Cherokee.  Above is a picture showing all of the colors dotted on the mountains.  Below are more.

Glad I wasn't in that airplane.... I loved being on the ground right there in the Smokies... Colors --colors everywhere...

Because of the dry conditions in Tennessee,   the colors include more yellows,  golds,  and browns this year... However,  we did see LOTS of reds and maroons.  Just gorgeous!!!

Here is another view of the Chimneys --showing off their Autumn colors!

I love seeing the green pine trees --with the other trees showing off their colors.

Finally,  here is one more picture showing the mountain ranges ---and a beautiful red tree showing off for us!!!!!

IF you ever get a chance to visit the Smokies,  do it!!!!  It's a wonderful place during ALL seasons.

Hope you had a good weekend.   After a 'Family Meeting' with George's elderly parents,  we think (finally) that we have found an agency who will supply help for them in their home.  Please say a prayer for these two elderly blind people (ages 98 and 90) who want their freedom and independence ---yet desperately need help.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,