Category: photography

Tuesday evening, we played hookie from bible study. It was such a beautiful and clear day that I suggested we go ride to the Great Smoky National Park. My husband and kids were excited about the idea. So off we headed to the mountains. The entrance to the Great Smokies is only about 20 minutes from our home. We are truly blessed to live in this beautiful land of mountains.

As we neared the Oconoluftee Visitor Center, we noticed cars stopping and parking by the road. Out in the fields, we saw a several elk. The elk were introduced back into the Great Smokies several years ago and seem to be surviving well. They have several new calves every year to keep the numbers growing. It is always an awesome site to see such beautiful animals that were created by God back in their natural habitat.

I love seeing the male elks lock horns.  It is a battle for the territory!

I was surpised by the amount of elk in this field.  They are usually over in the Cataloochee Valley.  This is also a beautiful area to go visit.  It is very similar to Cades Cove.

Here is a precious picture of a momma elk with her baby.  I just love how protective she is of her baby.  She never left her side.

Here is a another baby grazing in the field.

After we left the elk, we headed on to the top of the mountains.  We stopped at Newfound Gap.  By this time, the sun was setting just behind the mountain.

At the top of the mountain, you can stand in 2 states at once!

I just can’t get enough of this gorgeous view.  The pictures just do not do this view the justice it deserves.

Here are the kids at a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Again, these pictures just do not do the view any justice what so ever.  It was absolutely gorgeous at Morton’s Overlook.

After we left Morton Overlook, we headed on u p to Clingman’s Dome.  By this time, the moon was getting high, as the sun was setting. My husband took these pictures to try and capture the moon as well as the sunset.  I think he did an awesome job.

As the sun set, the sky turned a gorgeous red/orange.  It was absolutely amazing.  As I was standing on top of this mountain, I could feel the presence of God.  Just knowing that he spoke the words,

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 

Tuesday evening, we played hookie from bible study. It was such a beautiful and clear day that I suggested we go ride to the Great Smoky National Park. My husband and kids were excited about the idea. So off we headed to the mountains. The entrance to the Great Smokies is only about 20 minutes from our home. We are truly blessed to live in this beautiful land of mountains.

As we neared the Oconoluftee Visitor Center, we noticed cars stopping and parking by the road. Out in the fields, we saw a several elk. The elk were introduced back into the Great Smokies several years ago and seem to be surviving well. They have several new calves every year to keep the numbers growing. It is always an awesome site to see such beautiful animals that were created by God back in their natural habitat.

I love seeing the male elks lock horns.  It is a battle for the territory!

I was surpised by the amount of elk in this field.  They are usually over in the Cataloochee Valley.  This is also a beautiful area to go visit.  It is very similar to Cades Cove.

Here is a precious picture of a momma elk with her baby.  I just love how protective she is of her baby.  She never left her side.

Here is a another baby grazing in the field.

After we left the elk, we headed on to the top of the mountains.  We stopped at Newfound Gap.  By this time, the sun was setting just behind the mountain.

At the top of the mountain, you can stand in 2 states at once!

I just can’t get enough of this gorgeous view.  The pictures just do not do this view the justice it deserves.

Here are the kids at a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Again, these pictures just do not do the view any justice what so ever.  It was absolutely gorgeous at Morton’s Overlook.

After we left Morton Overlook, we headed on u p to Clingman’s Dome.  By this time, the moon was getting high, as the sun was setting. My husband took these pictures to try and capture the moon as well as the sunset.  I think he did an awesome job.

As the sun set, the sky turned a gorgeous red/orange.  It was absolutely amazing.  As I was standing on top of this mountain, I could feel the presence of God.  Just knowing that he spoke the words,

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 

Yesterday, my husband and I went for a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We were celebrating a couple of days early our 19th wedding anniversary. We were married the first Saturday of October, which was the 3rd in 1992. Since we moved to the mountains 6 1/2 years ago, we started this little tradition. I must say, I look forward to it every year. We always try to get a few pictures of the mountains, as the leaves are just starting to change colors in this area. Below are a few pictures that we were able to get on this trip. It was truly a beautiful day. The sun was so bright, that it was hard at times to get pictures that would truly do the mountains any justice.

We started our drive in Asheville, NC, around mile marker 393 and traveled to Balsam Gap at mile marker 443.

Below is Looking Glass Rock. So named because it reflects light brilliantly when water and ice are on the rock’s granite face.

The next few pictures are near the area of Graveyard Fields.

I love how the sun is caught in the corner of this picture.

I love stopping here and watching the water flow over the rocks.  The waterfalls are beautiful.

I love how the shadows dance across the mountains.  As the clouds move, it gives a different look in the matter of minutes.

In the next couple of weeks, there will be a lot more color and I can’t wait to get out there and take more pictures.

God sure does know how to paint a beautiful picture.  His creation is so awesome.  So thankful He has allowed us to love in this area.