The first was Meigs Falls, which is on a tributary to the Little River just before it flows into the main river. It was a little way back from the road.
Straight across to the falls!
Zooming in just a bit. If there had been time, I might have tried to cross the river and walk out to the falls...
Looking down at the rocks just below the road. About this time it began sprinkling just a little as I was taking photos and Dad was trying to tell me to get back in the car so we could keep going!
Our next stop was The Sinks, where the water from the Little River is forced through a very narrow slot in the rocks. It's not your typical waterfall, but it is a very fascinating scenic point!
It's so calm just downstream...
You can see where the water has worn some really smooth paths, and the rocks it doesn't touch as much are not as smooth. Also, that tan circle in the lower right corner? That's a big blob of foam that has been trapped in an eddy, and formed into a neat round shape as it swirls about.
More pink rhododendrons! There was a trail leading along the river from this point - it was quite tempting but we didn't have time to hike unknown miles...
We took advantage of a traffic lull to go up on the bridge and get the view from above.
Then, across the road, the view looking upstream - it's more of the same, as far as you can see! Lots of hard rock, forcing the water to find a path rather than cut one.
We reached the Sugarlands Visitor Center and turned onto the road to Clingman's Dome. After we'd been climbing for a while, we stopped at an overlook.
This was our first glimpse of the mountains - although the sun was so bright it was hard to get a picture that wasn't very dark as the camera tried to compensate.
We drove a little further and stopped at another overlook. This had an even better view, but we were too busy watching the Indigo Bunting that was hanging around in a sumac tree just a short distance away! Dad had binoculars so we got a really good look. We even let some other visitors use them to get a good look. Bluebirds are beautiful, but they are nothing compared to the intense, utter BLUE of an indigo bunting.
We kept going, climbing the whole time. Our next stop was Newfound Gap, a big overlook area that is famous for being where President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the speech dedication Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There was a nice path, and some really great views.
I'm not sure where this road is going, but it was bright and sunny over there!
There were a LOT of people there. There was at least one tour bus, and a lot of families. This is a major stopping point.
This was on one of the wayside signs. I had to take it with me.
I climbed up onto the big platform to get a view out the other way. It was dark and stormy-looking over there, and getting a little chilly.
View of the parking lot.
Dad finally caught up with me and got a picture of me in the mountains.
Looking back at the platform.
We walked down another path to the restrooms. The trees were so beautiful - just lush and green.
This is a photo of President Roosevelt making his speech from that same platform!
A contemporary view.
I think Mom was in a state of confusion...
This is the hill next to the parking lot. I just find it fascinating that rock so hard that it still has sharp corners and breaks off in planes can still have just enough of a crevice to support a very stubborn tree. Well, a lot of very stubborn trees - just no other ones next to this one.
Because the weather was getting so dark in the direction we were originally planning to go, we decided to turn around here rather than make the rest of the drive to Clingman's Dome. In that weather we wouldn't get much of a view anyway.
We stopped at the Chimney Tops picnic area (referring to a rock formation in the mountains) for an early lunch. Since it was early, it wasn't as crowded and we got a good spot. Because we were now ahead of schedule, we were able to spend some time here; it was nice to just sit around and read while we ate.
And then, of course, I had to go find the stream! We had driven past it our first time around the loop but all those spots were taken; it's a popular swimming spot, apparently. I found a way down and Mom and Dad came with me. Dad started taking pictures, and then skipping rocks. I took a couple of pictures - stepping out onto the big rocks - but had to take my shoes off to get the full experience.
Looking upstream!
Looking downstream!
Rhododendrons on the shore!
The water was very cold but felt good. The rocks on the bottom did not. They were fairly smooth, but still not great to walk on barefoot. I should have just sat on a rock and dangled my feet, but I couldn't resist going further out. By the time I limped my way back we were ready to go.
As we walked back out, we spotted some big red flowers. These are scarlet bee balm, or bergamot - in the mint family.
We got back to the picnic site and got ready to leave. I took a couple of pictures to show what a great spot we had. Tall trees on all sides, and more dense forest on the hill at the back. And hardly any mosquitoes.
The rest of our trip was pretty straightforward. We drove back to Sugarlands and out that way, through Gatlinburg and the Pigeon Forge strip. That was very entertaining, looking at all the bizarre shows and museums, and countless go-cart racetracks... I saw several things that I recognized from my one drive through Branson. It's that type of place. Kind of a culture shock after being in the quiet mountains...
We got back to Oneida and Mom and Dad dropped me off at the house. They went and checked in at the Guesthouse in town, and I met them there a little while later. We went out for supper, and I hung out in their room for a while before going home and preparing to get up early and go to work. My turn to help people have a good time communing with nature!
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