Stone Door

We recentlly took a photo day trip up to Stone Door. Stone Door is located in the South Cumberland Plateau State Recreation area of Tennessee.

We left very early even though it was rainy. The fog was thick as we got up on the plateau and near the Stone Door area. The visibility was about 10 foot, and we had a difficult time finding the parking area near the ranger station.

It is about a mile hike to the overlook, overlooking Laurel Gorge, and the Stone Door which is actually a 10 foot wide, 110 foot tall crevice between two bluffs. This crevice between the bluffs was used by the Cherokee Indians to climb down from the plateau to the gorge below.

The view at the overlook and from the bluff are almost too beautiful to describe. I will post a couple of images we took, but not even the images do justice to the view.

Clingmans Dome Trip

We had a great experience last week. A visit to Clingmans Dome in the rain. I know that this may not sound very appealing but it was fantastic.



If you don't know where Clingman's Dome is located, it is in the Smoky Mountains National Park. It is over 6,000 feet in the air, a gorgeous vantage point for some spectacular landscape photos.



On this day, rainy, it was very foggy and wet. We walked to the top of the dome in fog, not sure if we would get any pictures at the top. But after a bit of huffing and puffing we reached the top. All I can say is it was a very rewarding sight.



We stood in the fog, looking around at a 360 degree view. All we saw was fog and signs with pictures of what we were suppose to see. We were disappointed, but only for about 5 minutes. I turned to my left and all of a sudden I saw a view I couldn't comprehend. Was it real, was it clouds?



The clouds were separating and the tips of several peaks of the surrounding mountains were poking through the fog, or clouds. I started shooting and the longer we stood there the more was revealed. The clouds had parted and there was sun shinning on cloud tops and then the fog or clouds settled in the valleys. It was truly awe inspiring.



Just being in the right place at the right time makes all the difference in your photos.

Flower Photos

I really enjoy taking pictures of flowers. I have not decided which flower I enjoy the most but I enjoy roses a great deal.

There are several good places nearby that have a great variety of roses. I can get a wide selection to choose from and this makes it easier to get a real good shot.

To me a red rose seems to be the most difficult rose to capture. It is difficult to get the definition and the correct color. My red roses often come out to dark and they appear surreal. When I do get a good shot of a red rose I know I have had a great day.

City Scapes

I spent the afternoon waiting for the sun to set just so I could catch a nice cityscape. I really love the images of cities as the lights are just coming on and darkness is just beginning.

The weather was cool and breezy, but not cool enough for a sweater. Perfect! Just hanging out waiting for the perfect moment to take that shot. I had the old tripod stationed just right and the camera charged and ready as I waited for the right light.

The evening was perfect and I think I got a couple of great shots. But even if I didn't I had a wonderful time trying.

Great Waterfall Abrams Falls

Well, I just returned from another great waterfall adventure. We went to Cades Cove, in the Smoky Mountains National Park, and hiked the entire 5 mile round trip trail to Abram Falls.

Yes, it was worth the uphill climb that took 4 hours. Along the way there is so much to keep your interest that you really don't have time to realize how hard you are working. The trail is considered a moderate trail, about half uphill and half downhill. The trail is very well defined so you can not get lost and as I mentioned there is a lot of nice opportunities to take photos.
This is the falls at the end of the 2.5 mile trek. It is a beautilful place to relax before heading back down the trail to the car.
The trek back somehow seems much longer than the trek to the falls. We brought a small snack for energy and lots of water. Without the water you will not make the long trip, so if you plan to go don't forget the water.