Yesterday was too pretty to sit inside so I went and did some soul searching, it started from the same spot that I took the Gatlinburg at night photo (see previous post).


http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/naturesbeauty

And my journey begun, stopped at a point called the Chimney's named for the two rock formations,
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/chimneys

And got a drink of "clean water" (located at the base of the Chimney's, the trail to the top was closed do to ice and snow)
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/cleanwater

Then onward to Norton Overlook, elevation 4,300 +/- ASL.
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/nortonoverlook

Not completly satisfiyed I went higher, to my favorite place. This is where you can see why the Cherokee indians named this place on earth Shaconage ("Land of blue smoke").
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/newfoundgap

http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/ASL5045

Breathtaking!! At a elevation of 5,045 ASL, it was cold and windy and I wasn't dressed for it!
These pictures were taken at Newfound Gap, the Tennessee/North Carolina border, also where the Appalacian Trail comes through made famous by the likes of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. And yes the "blue" haze is why it is called the "Smoky Mtns" also spelled "Smokie" .
Although this isn't the highest point, it is high and makes you realize that you are nothing but a speck of dust on this great planet!!
Because of weather I decided against going to Clingman's Dome, The highest point in the Tennessee/N. Carolina section of the mountain range. But that trip is planned in the next few weeks. Newfound Gap is breathtaking but Clingmans Dome is a spiritual experiance that I can't wait to share with you all!!
Enjoy!URLURLURL

This is much better. Now I can get some idea of what the place is like.

From my own experience I know that in reality the scenery & views are even more breathtaking. It's not easy, in fact I find it almost impossible, to do some things justice in a couple of photographs. I've never seen a professional photo of the Grand Canyon, for example, that gives any impression of the sheer size & awe inspiring majesty of actually being there.

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The view from the top is AWESOME!!
But I'm waiting for it to warm a little and then head to Clingman's Dome. There is a tower there you can climb and from that point you can see for miles.
The last time i was there it was about 70*F in the parking area and by the time I reached the top it was snowing!!
It is like going through all the seasons in one hike!!
I want to go to the Dome while it is still cold out because the viewing is better due to the fact the tourist have moves on and pollution levels are lower.
That is the sad thing about this beautiful area is the fact that so many people come to visit that the pollution is getting worse, there have been times that views displayed in these photos wouldn't be seen because of the smog! And in parts you can see the enviromental effects of what the pollution is doing.
I'll be posting more photos as they are taken.