When you think of the Smokies, do you think of roads?  Even as much as I enjoy driving in the park, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind for me either, BUT, a large number of the visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park never venture far from their cars (if they leave them at all). So, for a good number of people anyway, the park IS the roads!

As I’ve mentioned in the previous weeks, the low water levels in the streams this fall had me exploring other subjects, one of which was road scenes.  Though I’ve done this in the past as well, I did it more so this year, and actually thoroughly enjoyed myself.  It’s a bit of an adventure seeing a nice bend in the road and then trying to figure out how to safely photograph it.  Here’s a hint – longer focal lengths keep you at distances where S curves and sweeping bends can be highlighted, while keeping you far enough off the road to not be in any (significant) danger.

This year I also explored a new section of road I’d never been to, the Foothills Parkway east section.  This is the short section between I-40 and Cosby.  The 7 mile stretch has only four overlooks, but really only three that I felt were super photogenic.  I’ll be sharing an image or two from the overlooks in the coming weeks, but for now, the first image above is of the roadway there.  The trees there were absolutely stunning!  Hat tip to Adam Gravett for letting me know about peak color timing.  It was fantastic!

More next week!

–Dan Thompson