If you’ve followed along with me for the last couple of years, you’ve seen my love for Elkmont grow.  There are just so many cool things to photograph in that part of the park, not the least of which are the old chimneys.  I created this image last November, and was hoping to catch the scene with a little bit of fall color still hanging in the trees surrounding the chimney, but alas, the skies didn’t cooperate and by the time we had a clear night, the leaves were gone at this spot.

At any rate, this particular chimney is what is left of the old Wonderland Hotel, up on the hill just as you’re entering the Elkmont campground area.  It’s hard to tell from this image, necessarily, but this chimney is pretty huge!  Definitely the grandest of the ones I’ve photographed.  It’s unfortunately surrounded by high weeds and not particularly easy to photograph, so I was sort of forced into the composition you see here – or bring my weedeater and do some serious clearing, which I think the Park Service would frown on. Ha!  I do love these old scenes though, with the stars.  I’m sure there are so many fond memories at this location for the people who stayed here, and now it sits quietly with the stars.

More next week!

–Dan Thompson