Through the Smokies


Trip home from Gatlinburg through the Smokies, Cherokee and Maggie Valley, 10/26/03.

Got up Sunday morning to dreary skies and the prospect of rain. We made our way across the street to the Pancake Cabin for breakfast. It was OK, but you can get a better breakfast back up the street; I don't remember the name of the better place, but they have their menu in the window and there are little skillets by the menu items, so eat there instead.

By the time we had finished breakfast, a light rain had moved in. I started back across the street, and apparently the driver of a Lincoln wasn't aware that you are supposed to stop for pedestrians and he almost flattened me. Didn't think that boded well for the rest of the day, but what can you do...

Loaded up the Rav, hopped in and headed up to Newfound Gap in the Smokies. Even with the gloom and the rain, there were lots of cars going both ways. Pictures were blowing the sky out, so I only took 4 shots and none of them were close to my first order shots.

Here is one shot from the Rav.


One from an overlook near The Chimneys turnoff.


This one at least turned out a little closer to what it looked like out there. Cloud/fog coming up valley was more impressive in person though.


A last look up Mt. LeConte from the overlook.

Got into the clouds and heavier rain about half to two-thirds of the way up, so didn't see alot from the top and had to be careful on the way down as traffic was heavy and road was slick with wet leaves.

Stopped in Cherokee so Lynda and Heather could shop. Still impressed that the Cherokee Res. is much nicer than the Reservations out West. The Blackfoot Reservation up by Glacier is a scary pit of a place. Then it was on out through Soco and Maggie Valley on US 19 back to I-40. Just north of Knoxville, we stopped to eat and we tried Krystal for the first time. Can't really say I am impressed, kind of like White Castle with more bread and a lot of yellow mustard. It rained steady back to Tennessee, then off and on till we got back home about 7:15 PM.

Posted: Wed - October 29, 2003 at 11:53 AM      

©