Smoky Mountains 2017 Day 5 – Sunrise and Travel

Most of the last day is taken with the drive home, but we did get up early and go catch sunrise from a new spot.  This time, just after (heading to Tennessee) the Newfound Gap Overlook.  Since we didn’t do much Sunday, I’ll use this post as a wrap up…. Continue reading

Smoky Mountains 2017 Day 4 – Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls, Cade’s Cove

[singlepic id=2182 w=480 float=right] We started early on Saturday and went up to Clingman’s dome for a chilly (as expected) sunrise. After that, we headed over to the Roaring Fork Motor Trail to the Grotto Falls trail head.  It’s a moderate hike and climb at 2.6 miles round trip with… Continue reading

Smoky Mountains 2015 – Day 4

[singlepic id=1441 w=480 float=right] Smoky Mountains Day 4 itinerary: 6:30 – got to Cades Cove (sunrise) Drove two loops around Cades Cove Started hiking Middle-Prong trail Turned back due to rain Stopped at “The Sinks” Returned to hotel – nap 4:30 – Chimney’s Trail 7:00 – return to trailhead Bear… Continue reading

Spider Web

[singlepic id=1324 w=480 float=left] A spider web, on a fence, by a restroom, that was open at 7AM…  I was trying to keep the background in focus, thus the f/18, but apparently that wasn’t going to get quite enough DOF.  Calculator says I only had about 3″ of depth behind… Continue reading

Cable Grist Mill

[singlepic id=1323 w=480 float=left] The historic Cable Grist Mill in Cades Cove.  Took many, many pictures trying to decide just how I wanted the wheel to look.  It wasn’t spinning when we first arrived, but an attendant came and enabled it. Pictures taken with Canon 60D, EF-S 10-22mm lens @… Continue reading

Cantilevered Barn

[singlepic id=1318 w=480 float=left] These cantilevered barns are an interesting concept to me – apparently allowed storage of hay and such on the second level while allowing a wagon to sit directly underneath.  Maybe it makes sense if you want to keep a wagon load of stuff dry or want… Continue reading

Cades Cove

[singlepic id=1315 w=480 float=left] We woke up stupidly early to go over Cades Cove and seek out wildlife pictures.  We didn’t see any ‘special’ wildlife (deer and turkey don’t count here) but the entire place was covered in fog, so it was something a little different to photograph. Picture taken… Continue reading