Blue Smoke Across the Mountains

As I looked out across the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week a sense of nostalgia overtook me. I saw the unmistakable blue smoke that is the trademark of the Smokies. That mist lingers above the mountain range from the rain forest. It still seems odd to me, even now, to think of the Smokies as a rain forest, but in fact, it is.

Most of the color has gone from the trees, but I like the spark of yellow from the one tree that seems to be holding on. I had a darker image planned, but lightened the shadows to bring out the trees. I like the detail. Fall has come late to Tennessee and parts South. Did you hear this was the hottest Summer on record for the United States. With all of the wildfires and drought we have had over the past 18 months throughout all of the United States, I can see why. Back soon. ENJOY!

Mushrooms, Toadtools & Fungi

Bracket Fungi, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

As I drove the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in early August, I stopped repeatedly along this one lane winding road to capture the flora and fauna I saw along the ground and in the trees. Mushrooms, Toadstools and Fungi were thriving all along this route due to the especially rainy past few weeks. No doubt fuel for these species.

Large Mushroom, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail winds its way around the mountainside. On this section of the tour, there is a major drop off on the left and on the right your car is literally hugging the side of the mountain. You can basically open your right side windows and take photos of the ground cover. These large Mushrooms were growing right up next to the mountainside in a clump.

Black Tooth Fungi, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

This Black Tooth Fungi was growing around some moss along the road. It was so perfectly formed and had such a nice white ring around the edge. What a vivid black hue.

Toadstool, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Keep in mind the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a temperate rain forest, as is all of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of southwestern North Carolina and southeastern Tennessee. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trails takes visitors through one of the wettest areas of the park. Evidence of the rain forest climate is especially evident in this area with moss covered rocks and boulders in and around the river itself. Conditions you won't find as plentiful in other areas of the Smokies. Perhaps this is why this area of the park was spared during the wildfires last year. A wonderful weekend is coming up with sunshine aplenty. Back soon. ENJOY!

Fontana Lake View, Clingman's Dome

What a view from the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Looking out from Clingman's Dome, alt. 6,644 feet at the tip of the observation tower, you can see Fontana Lake in the distance. The forest around Clingman's Dome is a spruce-fir forest, but due to the cool, wet conditions here making it a coniferous rainforest. You notice the change almost immediately when you turn off the main road to make the drive up to the summit. You also notice the 10-20 degree drop in temperature.

Fontana Lake snakes its way through the valley below and is actually situated in eastern North Carolina. Clingman's Dome actually sets half in North Carolina and half in Tennessee. On a clear day you can see up to 100 miles and perhaps even seven states.

I snapped this photo with one of those beautiful Spruce Firs in the foreground. I just love these beautiful trees. The blue haze hung over the Smokies making for a beautiful blue hue. The weather here in middle Tennessee finally cooled off a bit and the sun gave us a beautiful weekend. Thank goodness for those cooler temperatures. What a sweltering July. Have a wonderful week. Back soon. ENJOY!