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Smoky Mountains 2011

Mist, mountains & the aquarium — September 2011

59Photographs

3Days

6Places

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The Great Smoky Mountains

A Labor-Day week in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains — the misty ridges of Clingmans Dome, cold streams tumbling through old-growth forest, a cabin in the woods, the reef tanks and shark tunnel of Ripley's Aquarium, and the alpine slide at Ober Gatlinburg. The Smokies at their green, cloud-wrapped best. Tap any photo to enlarge it, or open the map.

Day 1

Mon 5 Sep

Into the Great Smoky Mountains · Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Into the Great Smoky Mountains — Into the Great Smoky MountainsA trail into the deep green of the Smokies.

Into the Great Smoky Mountains — Into the Great Smoky MountainsMist hanging in the forest after the rain.

Into the Great Smoky Mountains — Into the Great Smoky MountainsBare branches against the soft mountain light.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesTropical reef colors at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesA seahorse curled in the blue.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesJellyfish drifting like lanterns.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesSharks and rays gliding through the tunnel.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesA school of fish turning all at once.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesA leafy sea dragon, barely telling itself from the weeds.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesStingrays sweeping over the sand.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesTropical reef colors at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesA seahorse curled in the blue.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesJellyfish drifting like lanterns.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesSharks and rays gliding through the tunnel.

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — Ripley's Aquarium of the SmokiesA school of fish turning all at once.

Day 2

Tue 6 Sep

Clingmans Dome & the high country

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe view from Clingmans Dome, ridge after ridge fading into haze.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe observation tower rising out of the fog.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countrySpruce-fir forest wrapped in cloud.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryA clear mountain stream tumbling over the rocks.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryGreen mountains rolling to the horizon.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe high country, cool and misty in September.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe view from Clingmans Dome, ridge after ridge fading into haze.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe observation tower rising out of the fog.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countrySpruce-fir forest wrapped in cloud.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryA clear mountain stream tumbling over the rocks.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryGreen mountains rolling to the horizon.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe high country, cool and misty in September.

Clingmans Dome & the high country — Clingmans Dome & the high countryThe view from Clingmans Dome, ridge after ridge fading into haze.

Day 3

Wed 7 Sep

The cabin in the woods · Forest roads & mountain streams · Ober Gatlinburg

The cabin in the woods — The cabin in the woodsThe rental cabin, all knotty pine and quiet.

The cabin in the woods — The cabin in the woodsA mountain kitchen to come home to.

The cabin in the woods — The cabin in the woodsGame night at the cabin.

The cabin in the woods — The cabin in the woodsThe view off the cabin deck into the mist.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA forest road winding deeper into the park.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA Smoky Mountain stream, clear and cold.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsCascades stepping down the mossy rocks.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsRhododendron and old growth along the water.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsWhite water folding over the stones.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsThe woods closing in green and dense on every side.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA long valley view opening through the trees.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA forest road winding deeper into the park.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA Smoky Mountain stream, clear and cold.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsCascades stepping down the mossy rocks.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsRhododendron and old growth along the water.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsWhite water folding over the stones.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsThe woods closing in green and dense on every side.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA long valley view opening through the trees.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA forest road winding deeper into the park.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsA Smoky Mountain stream, clear and cold.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsCascades stepping down the mossy rocks.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsRhododendron and old growth along the water.

Forest roads & mountain streams — Forest roads & mountain streamsWhite water folding over the stones.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgThe alpine slide track curving down the mountain at Ober Gatlinburg.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgLooking down the slope to the valley.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgThe Smokies stretching out past the chairlift.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgOne more long view over the blue ridges.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgThe alpine slide track curving down the mountain at Ober Gatlinburg.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgLooking down the slope to the valley.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgThe Smokies stretching out past the chairlift.

Ober Gatlinburg — Ober GatlinburgOne more long view over the blue ridges.

Where we wandered