Tuesday, June 9, 2009

As Promised

While we were in the mountains we hiked over 38 miles of trails. And let me tell you, for us flatlanders it was pretty tough. Most of them were all uphill. But in the end they were all worth it. The views were spectacular.This view is in the park on New Found Gap road. It's a main thoroughfare to Gatlinburg from Cherokee, NC. We usually always stop here along with every other visitor to the park. If you enlarge the pic you can see the road we came in on.This is the first of 3 pics from Gatlinburg. The streets looked bare when we first arrived. One thing we like about this place is once we park the car seldom do we move it. It's definitely a walking town. In this picture though you can see one of the trolleys they operate. So walking is optional.This little shopping area is called "The Village". It houses The Donut Friar which has the best donuts in the world! It's such a nice sitting area for watching people. Plus look at all the New Guinea Impatiens. It was landscaped beautifully.Here's a picture of the fountain at night.(Enlarge for better viewing). Pretty huh?After we settled into our hotel we decided to hike from Gatlinburg to the visitor center. The trail is easy to walk and has beautiful views such as this.The sound of the rolling water was music to our ears. Sometimes you just have to stop and listen. Once we arrived at the visitor center we took another small walk to Cataract falls. (Betsy, I thought of you. I figure you have seen these falls before). This would be the first of 3 different falls for us this trip.Along the walk back I had to take a few pictures of some of the flora. Ferns dotted the path all the way. I loved the way the sun highlighted the white rhododendron. And the mountain laurel was blooming everywhere. Our first day in the mountains was wonderful. Hope you come back to see more.

24 comments:

Becky said...

Absoluelty beautiful sissy girl!!! It's definitely somewhere Alvin and I would LUV to visit! I couldn't help but notice the Dippin Dots.....you know Alvin and I always have to stop and get DD when we are in Gulf Shores.

Becky said...

Oops!! I didn't proofread....absolutely! LOL!!!

Dorothy said...

Hi Susie,
Great pictures! We love that area!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Susie, that mountain view is breathtaking! The last time I was in Gatlinburg was over twenty years ago. I'll bet I wouldn't recognize it now.

Marnie

Unknown said...

Looks like a great place to relax. Love "The Village."

George said...

It looks as if you had a great first day in our neck of the woods. I'm glad the mountain laurel put on a show for you and I hope you enjoyed Cataract Falls.

Debra Howard said...

Looks like you had a great vacation. Beautiful pictures.
Debbie

jen said...

Soo pretty! Glad you had a nice time!!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

It's beautiful! It reminds me of the mountains here with all the evergreens. I love little towns like that where you can just walk and explore.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Susie, how I love seeing 'my' Smokies through the eyes of someone else. We of course have been to all of the places you talk about --including Cataract Falls.

The only place we don't ususally go is to Gatlinburg.. I don't like crowds much--so summer is not the time to go there. It is pretty though--and great for people who like to shop.

Can't wait to see more.

Great photos.
Hugs,
Betsy

Deb said...

Susie,
looks like a great place to vacation...beautiful photos...

deedee said...

Beautiful! I'll definately be back to see more :)

Unknown said...

Susie, fantastic photos! The mountains look so beautiful...before I clicked on it, I thought the strip was a river. The shopping area--I've fallen for that pic! Even the impatiens planted next to grass-like plants look spectacular! You must be feeling rejuvenated after vacationing amidst such natural beauty.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Just beautiful! Can't wait to see more.. I love, love the mountains and hiking!

Terri said...

Great photos. I'm glad you had a good time! Did I mention that we live here? Not in Gatlinburg, but rather near - thank you for a timely reminder of how lucky I really am. It was much-needed today! :)

Anonymous said...

Such pretty scenery there. Thank you for sharing your lovely trip with us.

Forty Two East said...

Those photos are just beautiful!! I love the moutains and waterfalls.

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely beautiful spot to visit & explore. :) Can't wait to see what else you have to share!

Beth said...

Nice photos Susie! I've never been to North Carolina but the Smoky Mountains are on my "must-see" list. It is as pretty as I imagined it.

marmee said...

i am so glad you had such a great time...we love hiking too. the views are wonderful.

Sandy said...

Glorious! What a wonderful hike, thanks for sharing it.

Jen said...

Great pictures glad you had a good time. Once you start hiking it's easy to forget you have that long walk back to. :)

Leedra said...

You have been here, while I have been gone. Nice to see home from a visitor's view point. Jimmy and I went to Cataract Falls in April while all the wildflowers were at their peak. We met a young couple with their month old baby at the base of the falls. They had married in that spot 2 years previous.

Connie said...

Just beautiful, Susie. Makes me want to go on a trip and get to see some sights in nature. Sounds like you had a great time. :)