The Great Smoky Mountains

We first became familiar with the Smokies when we lived in the northwestern part
of South Carolina.  We made frequent trips there as our children were growing up.
It became a family tradition to visit the area every year for a few days around
Memorial Day; we still keep this tradition today, though we live farther away.

The background picture for this page was taken during one of our trips.

Just to give you some information about the area, I obtained the following
from Wikipedia and from the National Park Service website.  

The Great Smoky Mountains are a mountain range in the southern part of the
Appalachian Mountains.  Also called the Smoky Mountains or the Smokies,
they run along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the prominent feature of the
mountains.  With over 9 million visits per year, it is the most-visited
national park in the United States,

The name of the area comes from the natural haze that often hangs over it.
As in the neighboring Blue Ridge Mountains to the east, hydrocarbons
produced by trees and other local vegetation—as well as higher humidity—
produce a bluish cast around the mountains, even over short distances.

The highest point in the Smokies is Clingmans Dome (6,643 feet or 2,025 m),
which is located within the national park. A paved road leads to within 300 feet
(90 m) of the summit, and from there visitors can walk a trail to the top.
A handicap-accessible tower is located at the summit, and on clear days
visitors can see five states (Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, and Kentucky). Clingmans Dome is also the highest point in Tennessee.

The Smokies rise prominently above the surrounding low terrain.
For example, Mount LeConte (6,593 feet or 2,010 m) rises more than a
mile (1.6 km) above its base. Because of their prominence, the Smokies
receive heavy  annual amounts of precipitation. Annual precipitation
amounts range from  50 to 80 inches (130-200 cm)[2], and snowfall in the
winter can be heavy,   especially on the higher slopes. For comparison,
the surrounding  terrain has annual precipitation of around
40 to 50 inches (100-130 cm).

Biological diversity is the hallmark of Great Smoky Mountains.
Over 10,000 species have been documented; scientists believe
an additional 90,000 species may be present.

Many wildflowers grow in the mountains and valleys, including bee balm,
Solomon's seal, Dutchman's breeches, various trilliums
the Dragon's Advocate and even hardy orchids.

Many visitors come to the Smokies hoping to see a bear. Some 1,600 bears live
in the park. From the big animals like bears, deer, and elk, down to microscopic
organisms, the Smokies have the most biological diversity of any area in the
world's temperate zone. The park is a sanctuary for a magnificent array of
animal and plant life, all of which is protected for future generations to enjoy.

The culture of the area is that of Southern Appalachia, and previously
the Cherokee people.  Tourism is a huge draw to the area, particularly to
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Tennessee, and Cherokee in North Carolina.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise with over 800 miles
of maintained trails ranging from short leg-stretchers to strenuous treks that
may require backcountry camping. But hiking is not the only reason for visiting
the Smokies. Car camping, fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing and auto
touring are popular activities.

Rafting, either leisurely river tubing or in full whitewater, is common all summer.
Downhill skiing is also done in winter, though for a short season, at places like
Cataloochee and Ober Gatlinburg.

Oh and of course my favorite, shopping.  The area in and near Gatlinburg and
Pigeon Forge have many specialty shops and outlet malls as well as arts
and crafts facilities of all kinds.

Country music legend Dolly Parton is from the Smokies, born and
raised in Sevierville. She is associated with the Dollywood amusement park.

Most of my pictures on the following pages are of mountain scenery,
although there are a few other pictures too.

Most were taken in 2007 but some were taken in prior years.
Links to Pages in This Section: