I think fog gets a bad name. It’s typically about what fog can obscure: living life in a fog, the fog of war, the fog of depression. Well, like our neighbor over in the mountains of western North Carolina, Carl Sandburg, I think fog has delightful qualities. For example, in the picture above, a dash of fog can actually be a clarifying factor for the beautiful muddy road in the foreground. For the photo below, it’s the opposite, with the fog in the foreground, giving a nice contrast to the clarity of Mt. LeConte, rising above the fog.
It’s that time of year … Is it winter? Is it spring? … warm and cold and damp … welcoming conditions for fog.
Porters Creek Trail is a delightful meander in the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains. Head east out of Gatlinburg on Route 321, then after about 6 miles, the Greenbrier entrance will be on the right. Eventually the road will turn to gravel and you’ll pass the bridge to the Ramsay Cascades Trail. Continue straight ahead until the road finally dead-ends at the trailhead parking lot. The trail follows Porters Creek for most of the way, and as you can see from the sign it is one of the many trails leading to the summit of Mt. LeConte.
Porters CreekPorters Creek Trail footbridge
The first mile of the trail is a well maintained jeep road with an easy walking grade. Along the way are many opportunities to slow you down and take photos. Watch to the right for many signs of pioneer homesteads. There are rock walls, chimneys, house foundations, and even a primitive cemetery.
These echoes of early settler life in the Smoky Mountains testify to the harsh realities of scraping a life out of rugged and isolated terrain.
Rock wall remnant from pioneer daysRock steps from pioneer homesteadSmoky Mountain cemetery
In April the Porters Creek Trail becomes one of the the best wildflower hikes in the Smokies.
For a nice two-mile round-trip hike, continue on up the trail and bear to the right when the jeep road enters a turnaround. At this point you can take a short side-trail over to visit a small group of log buildings, including the John Messer barn, which was built around 1875, and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club cabin, which was constructed from 1934-36.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of photos of the Smoky Mountains at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. If you are a Facebook user, you can get my daily Smoky Mountains news and photos by becoming a fan of the William Britten Photography Facebook Page.
There are many old pioneer cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Most of them were constructed from native wood, shaped with hand tools such as the broad ax, froe, adz, and drawknife.
The wood in these buildings seems unique and different, with a life of its own. Or perhaps it is the life of the pioneers that remains within the wood. The example above is a classic dove-tail joint used to stack the log walls and keep them tight. The cabin is one you can see in the Cades Cove area of the Park.
The two images below are from cabins at the Mountain Farm Museum near the Cherokee entrance to the Smokies. Notice the nifty crude hinges made from horse-shoes on the barn door in the lower right image.
The final two pictures below are from the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club cabin on the Porters Creek Trail in the Greenbrier Section of the Park. The first image shows another example of a dovetail joint.
Bare trees, the welcoming glow of Smoky Mountain cabins at dawn … a warm and friendly Kinkade-colored scene. It’s that time of year when, surprisingly, winter has already started to lose its grip in the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg area. In a few short weeks the early flowers will be staking their tentative claim on the new season. But for now, it’s still chilly and bare, with more snow always a possibility. A great time to enjoy some solitude in the mountains.
If you can get away, you’ll find the streets of Gatlinburg are less crowded, and there will be very little traffic in the National Park. You can drive the Cades Cove Loop unimpeded by gridlock! And I’ll look forward to visiting with you in the William Britten Gallery where you may view the entire collection of Smoky Mountains photos.
The picture above is the footbridge leading to the Ramsey Cascades Trail in the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains. Yes, it’s still cold and quiet around here. Another cold, snowy scene from the Greenbrier is below.
But to warm things up on the waning days of winter, there’s a gallery of quotations down below. If the words are hard to read, click on any image, and you should get a full size slide show. (put your mouse over the right or left side of each picture to rotate through the slide show) I’ve tried to set each of the quotations within a supportive image.
One of my favorite Smoky Mountains hikes is in the Big Creek section of the National Park, located on the eastern side, with the easiest access being from Interstate 40. Take the Waterville exit (451), which is the last Tennessee exit going east. Proceed through a hydroelectric plant, crossing into North Carolina, through a four-way rural intersection and into the Park. There is a campground and picnic area as well as excellent hiking. This area was heavily timbered in the early part of the 20th century, and as a result, the trail is a wide berm with an easy grade created to remove the trees with a rail line. This hike features two fine waterfalls!
About a mile up the trail you’ll pass a jumble of huge boulders known as Rock House. Another half mile up the stream is Midnight Hole, which is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains. It flows into a deep green pool that gives the waterfall it’s name. Be careful not to miss the short side-trail that detours over to the bottom of the falls. It’s an excellent swimming area in summer, and as you can see from the picture, a beautiful spot in the fall. This is a good hike any time of year.
The picture to the left is one of my Featured Photos, and is a perennial best-seller.
But don’t stop now! Another half-mile up the trail is a second gem, where Mouse Creek plunges dramatically down a steep hillside and into the creek. This is another great spot in the fall, and the boulders will beckon you to sit down and eat your trail mix, take some photos, or just meditate on the wonder of it all.
Midnight Hole is a petite waterfall with a twelve-foot deep emerald pool that gives the waterfall its name. Located in the Big Creek section of the Smoky Mountains, this is a popular swimming hole in the summer. This photo is often paired with Creekside Sweet Gum, making an attractive set of vertical pictures.
Midnight Hole is a featured photo at the William Britten Gallery. It is offered in all sizes up to 20×30. Details of sizes and prices can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
The trail to Midnight Hole is one of my favorites. It’s a little out of the way but the compensation is two waterfalls in one hike! Mouse Creek Falls is just a half-mile further on the trail. In summer you might find swimmers jumping off the rocks here. But my favorite time for this waterfall is in autumn.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN.
These are stressful times. So much strife in the world, polarized beliefs, and intolerance. Some days it’s too much for a sensitive person, and I have to turn off the news and turn off my thoughts. I use nature, and the grand expanse of Smoky Mountains at my doorstep, to recalibrate and rebalance. I feel lucky to live in such a spiritual place.
My Smoky Mountains photos reflect this search for deep peace and reassurance in nature. The image above especially captures the dark and moody woods juxtaposed with the bright and hopeful morning sunlight. It’s a place to sit by the never-ending cascade and contemplate the cycles of life. The sunlight changes by the minute and yet is forever the same. The rocks sit in the stream for eons, and yet they too are following a cycle of upheaval and settling.
The next time you visit the Smokies, try pulling off the road to sit by the deep woods cascades of the Roaring Fork or the awesome views of Cades Cove. And please consider a stop at the William Britten Gallery on the historic Arts and Crafts Trail along Glades Road in Gatlinburg. In my complete display of Smoky Mountains photos you may find a special memory to remember the peace of the mountains.
This is the web site for William Britten Photography and Gallery in Galtinburg TN on the edge of the glorious Smoky Mountains.
I am currently rebuilding the site on a new platform, so I apologize for any occasional instability. As of late winter 2016 the site seems to be ok, with accessibility from mobile devices working nicely. Please email me if you encounter any specific problems, or leave a comment on this post.
Emerts Cove Bridge is one of only two covered bridges near the Smoky Mountains in Sevier County (the other being Harrisburg Bridge off Rt. 339). Emerts Cove bridge is just north of Rt 321, just off Rt. 416 north of Pittman Center. The simplist way to see it is to follow the road directly across from the Greenbrier entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The bridge spans the Little Pigeon River, just a mile or so out of the Park.
The picture is available in all sizes up to 16×24″. Details of sizes and prices can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
If you’re traveling or vacationing in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in to see the complete display of Smoky Mtns photos at the William Britten Gallery. The Gallery is located on the historic Arts and Crafts trail, in the Morning Mist Village shopping area along Glades Rd. In addition to framed and matted prints, there are magnets, mugs and notecards for you to find a special Smokies memory to take home.
A Song Without Words was taken along the Cades Cove loop road in the Smoky Mountains. It’s springtime, and the dogwoods are showing off all of their glory, with the mountains as the backdrop. As with all digital files, this image started out as a color photo, but I had a feeling that a black and white treatment might better express the mood of the day. The file was converted to black and white, with a sepia tone added. Finally, the colorful sunlight was painted back in to give a splash of extra warmth.
A Song Without Words carries a warm emotional message during the springtime season of rebirth. The picture is available in all sizes up to 16×24″. Details of sizes and prices can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
If you’re traveling in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains photos at the William Britten Gallery. The Gallery is located in the historic Arts and Crafts area along Glades Rd. In addition to framed and matted prints, there are magnets, mugs and notecards for you to find a special Smokies memory to take home.
Autumn glory in the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains
Glory in the Greenbrier captures the feeling of autumn in the Smoky Mountains. I like shooting into the sun, and in fact it has become something of a trademark for my Smoky Mountain photos. In this photo, the colors are also quite intense. The picture was taken along the gravel part of the road into the Greenbrier, one of my favorite areas of the Smokies, several miles east of Gatlinburg on Route 321. If you search out this area, you will find some relief from the traffic snarls that are common during October in the Smokies.
The intense colors of this image were created in part by taking multiple exposures of the scene. Three separate images were blended to enhance tonalities. Glory in the Greenbrier looks fabulous printed on metal. Take a look at the How to Buy page for more information on sizes, prices, and other options. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
Please consider a stop at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg, TN. The Gallery features all of my photos of the Smoky Mountains. There just might be a picture waiting to go home with you!
I have been thinking of creating some Smoky Mountains photos with words of inspiration for some time. These four are my first offerings. All four are currently hanging in the Gatlinburg Gallery, mounted on frameless 8×12 floats. However, they could be printed and framed in any of my standard sizes.
The photo above is a sunset at Morton Overlook with my variation on Thoreau’s comment about “lives of quiet desperation.” I like my quote better!
The image above is Cades Cove on a beautiful summer afternoon with a quote paraphrased from John Muir.
The photo below is one of my favorite “deep woods” pictures, with a quote from the poet, Lord Byron.
Finally, the picture below is my best seller, with one of my own thoughts added.
If you’re traveling or vacationing in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains photos at the William Britten Gallery. The Gallery is located on the historic Arts and Crafts trail, in the Morning Mist Village shopping area along Glades Rd. In addition to framed and matted prints, there are magnets, mugs and notecards for you to find a special Smokies memory to take home.
The John Oliver Homestead in Cades Cove is one of the Featured Smoky Mtns photos at the William Britten Gallery. This is a stunning spring scene with dogwood blooms as the backdrop. I backed my tripod up under some dogwood trees to frame the photo with branches and blooms along the top. The iconic split rail fence adds another layer of dimension. John Oliver’s homestead is the first stop along the Cades Cove loop.
The picture is available in all sizes up to 16×24″. Details of sizes and prices can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
If you’re traveling or vacationing in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in to see the complete display of Smoky Mtns photos at the William Britten Gallery. The Gallery is located on the historic Arts and Crafts trail, in the Morning Mist Village shopping area along Glades Rd. In addition to framed and matted prints, there are magnets, mugs and notecards for you to find a special Smokies memory to take home.
This blog has been inactive for several months. Where has the time gone? Well, most of it was taken up during construction of this wonderful little cabin in the Blue Ridge foothills of North Carolina. No, we are not leaving Gatlinburg, and the William Britten Gallery is still open along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. The cabin is a quiet getaway near children and grandchildren. Read on, if you’re interested in a Thoreau-style cabin and the lifestyle within.
Little Bit of Thoreau in the Blue Ridge Mtns
The foothills directly behind the cabin are within the Pisgah National Forest, and if you were to set out walking, you would find yourself exploring miles and miles of uninhabited wilderness, much like in the Great Smoky Mountains. You could keep on walking all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. So, right from the start, we don’t have Thoreau’s Walden Pond, but we do have Pisgah.
Warm Wood Interior of Reclaimed Barn WoodCustom made kitchen cabinets from barnwood, with a Black Walnut counter made from sawmill planks.
A well was sunk 325 feet down into bedrock, and it greatly pleases me to think of this pure water flowing out of the undeveloped, pristine watershed. The cabin is less than 400 square feet of living space, plus a small loft area, and a generous porch overlooking the valley below. The cabin exterior is board-and-batten rough-sawn Hemlock, and the interior is all wood–some North Carolina harvested Hemlock, Oak, and Cypress, and some reclaimed from local barns. The exterior doors were made by a local craftsman, who also made the kitchen countertop from 2-inch thick Walnut found at a local sawmill.
Our little cabin is a riff on the Appalachian culture and its architecture. We tried hard to make it be as if it rose from the local woods. We were happy to find local craftsmen with the tradition of seat-of-the-pants resourcefulness. Hopefully it echoes the Appalachian traditions of small is beautiful, and richness in simplicity.
Nestled in the arms of Pisgah National Forest
The cabin is very spartan … nothing more than a bed, a few chairs, and a table barely large enough for two dinner plates. It does have electricity and running water, but Internet access requires a walk down the hill to get within range of my daughter’s farmhouse. This is where Mr. Thoreau comes into the picture: at first I thought this would be a temporary situation, that we would finish off the cabin with furniture, a fully outfitted kitchen, some more decor, etc. But after three months of weekly getaways, I have no desire to move beyond the sense of raw simplicity that the cabin exudes. I stoke the wood stove with a few sticks to take the edge off the morning chill, sit in a straight-back chair and watch the light change, follow the moon setting through the branches of a Hickory tree. Later in the day, I’ll look forward to grandchildren’s knock at the door (chocolate milk in the fridge!). I read books. And of course, tromp around outside with a little hatchet in my hand.
Small spaces are happy spaces.
No, I don’t need a microwave oven or a TV set. I don’t really need anything. Contentment comes in the form of observation, contemplation, appreciation.
A final observation: just above the front door, the grain in the wood appears to bless those who enter (photo below). It’s curious enough that the wood-grain carries this message, but to think of how it came to rest just above the door is miraculous. I asked the carpenters about it. Yes, they did take notice, but not until after the siding was nailed up.
I think of a large stack of hemlock drying in the wind. Hundreds of feet of lumber used over several months … cut this way and that … nailed up in various positions. And this special board came to rest in the perfect spot.
Message in the Wood
Click on any of the photos to bring up larger versions.
The last week of October 2012, the long arms of Hurricane Sandy produced a Smoky Mountains wonderland of snow in autumn. The Smokies offered stunning photos from all the overlooks. The photo above was taken from the Gatlinburg by-pass, with the Park Vista hotel in the lower left corner, and the Roaring Fork Motor Trail heading up the valley in the center of the picture. This was the same location that produced some fabulous photos last April of a spring snowfall.
The photo below was taken from Campbell Overlook, showing the western shoulder of Mt. LeConte. Total snowfall in the highest elevations was nearly 3 feet!
The trail to the Chimneys is a favorite Smoky Mountains hike. In the photos below the Chimneys are the two bumps on the left side. This is a rugged climb under the best of conditions, but snow and ice make it a special challenge.
If you are visiting the Smokies, please consider a stop at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. The gallery features Smoky Mountains landscape photos, as well as magnets, mugs, and notecards.
These two Smoky Mountains photos were created as special editions for this fall. The photos were both taken in the Greenbrier area of the Smokies. Both are processed with more extreme contrast and color saturation than I normally do. This effect is something I do as a change of pace for occasional pictures. These two are both 12×24″ panoramas and are one-of-a-kinds hanging in my Gatlinburg Gallery.
The Greenbrier area of the Smokies is a wonderful place to wander in during the autumn leaf season, or any time. The crowds are much less here, and the two main trails offer everything from fabulous spring wildflowers to the best Smoky Mountains waterfall. The picture above was taken from the footbridge at the Ramsay Cascades trailhead after a heavy rain. This location is featured in my photo, Winter Footbridge.
The picture below is a typical scene in the Greenbrier with peak autumn color. The gravel road is an invitation to slow down and soak in the moment. This part of the Smokies is also rich in pioneer history, which offers another context to ramble along some autumn trails.
If you are travelling in the Smokies any time of year, please consider a visit to the William Britten Gallery, located along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. The Gallery features all of my Smoky Mountains photos, as well as magnets, mugs, and notecards. Stop in and pick out a mountain memory to take home with you.
It’s that time of year again. Time to pack up the van with framed Smoky Mtns photos, display panels and all the rest of our gear.
The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair begins this Thursday at the Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg. The Fair will run from October 11th through Sunday October 28th, from 10 to 6:00 each day except 10-5:00 on Sundays.
Look for William Britten Photography in our usual spot at the bottom of the escalator as you enter the main exhibit hall. We will have a full display of Smoky Mtns photos, in frames as well as prints, magnets and notecards.
And during the fair please stop out at the William Britten Gallery in the Arts and Crafts Community along Glades Rd. The Gallery will remain open as well during the downtown fair.
After the Storm is a Smoky Mtns photo taken from one of the most popular overlooks in the Smokies. This picture was captured from Mortons Overlook on Newfound Gap Rd. This is often a good spot for Summer sunsets, and especially after a stormy day there might be dramatic conditions when the sun sets below the storm clouds.
After the Storm carries a warm emotional message, with the bright sun reasserting hope and beauty after the dark storm clouds have passed. The picture is available in all sizes up to 16×24″. Details of sizes and prices can be found on the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store
If you’re traveling in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in to see the complete display of Smoky Mtns photos at the William Britten Gallery. The Gallery is located in the historic Arts and Crafts area along Glades Rd. In addition to framed and matted prints, there are magnets, mugs and notecards for you to find a special Smokies memory to take home.
Not too many days like this are left for us this year. Mid-autumn Indian Summer. The hectic days of October are done for another year. A hot tub and a couple cups of coffee beckon you to relax the morning away.
When you’re all softened up, please come on over and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountain Photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN.
It’s mid-September. The days are getting shorter and the air is getting crisper. Apples are ripe and pumpkins are everywhere. Out at Morning Mist Village along Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg, the autumn decorations are looking festive. And at the William Britten Gallery in Morning Mist, I’ve got some new banner images in the windows and a new banner sign. The image on the sign is the Gallery’s best seller … Morning Majesty.
New Banner Sign!
Even the sign on Glades Rd. at the entrance to the historic Arts and Crafts Trail has gotten its fall decor, thanks to Ted Osborn of Beech Branch Gifts.
If you’re traveling to the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg this fall, please stop in for a visit at the William Britten Gallery. All my Smoky Mountains photos are on display, along with magnets, mugs, and notecards. There’s bound to be a special Smokies memory for you to take home.
The photograph above is the Green Headed, or Cutleaf Coneflower. It blooms all along the roadside in the middle of summer up near Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park .
Here’s a fun photo tip for taking a picture like the one above. One of my favorite techniques is to take the photo twice: once in a normal mode with your subject in focus, and a second time with the picture out of focus. You will need to have a camera or lens that allows you to turn the auto-focus off. Then you will need some basic Photoshop skills to blend the two images together. With this fairly simple technique you can create images with added depth.
The photo below is the blurred version that was blended into the image above to help create the dreamy effect.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountain Photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. The Gallery is located along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail along Glades Rd. In addition to framed and matted prints, there are magnets, mugs, and notecards to help you take a Smokies memory home.
These three Smoky Mtns photos illustrate something about how the process of photography happens for me. All were taken on a high-elevation trail near Clingmans Dome in the Smokies. Walking along the trail, the scene above caused me to stop. Something about the elements brought on an emotional response, which is what I am usually looking for in order to create a good photograph. The well-worn path leads off into the distance of a foggy morning. The ferns are soft and welcoming – a nice contrast with the mystery of the trail. Then there’s that big old stump on the right, which will be a very nice frame for that side of the image. Finally, there are some spindly pine trees to the left, offering a frame for that side. I set up the tripod and composed the photograph above. It’s nice, but not tight enough. Too many loose distractions, which will dilute the emotional response.
So, I maneuver around, trying to get the elements into an alignment that works. How do I know if it works? Well, you never know for sure, but a good photo will feel like it has snapped into place when you see it through the viewfinder. Sometimes it can be frustrating to find it. The image below is what “snapped” for me on this morning. This image was given the title Peace in Wild Places, and it has become a very good seller in my Gatlinburg Gallery. But there’s more to the story! Keep reading below …
The image below is another interpretation of the foggy trail scene. Obviously it is very different from the one above. It stretches the emotions of the scene to an almost surreal degree. The fog-shrouded trail is very mysterious, the path is very bright, and the stump on the right has become a bit sinister. The whole scene is Hobbit-like. These two images show how a finished photograph is an interpretation, and just as a musical score can be interpreted in different ways, so can a photographic image. Perhaps the most frequent question that I am asked is “was this really the way it looked, or have you enhanced it?” The answer to both parts of that question is yes … it really did look this way, but a good photograph will take it much further than simply recording a time and place.
Please stop and see my complete collection of Smoky Mtns photos at the William Britten Gallery. I’m located along the historical Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg, TN.
Click on any of these pictures to see a larger version.
This Smoky Mountains valley was named by early settlers for the large number of Sugar Maple trees growing in the valley. As can be seen in the historical photo above, this was a vast area of fairly level ground. Settlers arrived in the area around 1800 … the Reagans, Ogles and Trenthams who formed the foundation of the homesteading community. The photo below shows how the forest has reclaimed virtually all of the former farming landscape.
This wonderful section of the Smokies can be explored today via several trails. The Old Sugarlands Trail starts from Newfound Gap Rd 200 yards before the Visitor Center. The trail follows the course of the old TN Route 71 through the farming bottomlands, past stone walls and homestead foundations. Eventually the trail turns away from the Left Prong of the Little Pigeon River and heads over to meet up with Cherokee Orchard Rd near the Rainbow Falls trailhead. This is a good hike to do with two cars, leaving one at either end of the trail.
If you are traveling in the Smokies, please consider a visit to the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. You’ll find my complete display of Smoky Mountains photos, along with mugs, magnets and notecards.
All of the Smoky Mtns photos on this page are of the Elijah Oliver cabin. Elijah was John Oliver’s son, and he was born in Cades Cove in 1824. After a time away from the Smoky Mountains, he returned to Cades Cove after the Civil War. Notice the “strangers room” enclosed on the front porch. Smoky Mountains hospitality was so well known that hunters and fishermen travelled, knowing that the mountaineers would give them lodging at no charge.
This homestead is one of the stops along the Cades Cove Loop Road in the Smoky Mountains. Park your car and take the short hike to the cabin and outbuildings–it is very much worth the time and effort to see this fine example of an Early American log cabin and barn.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of my Smoky Mtns photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. I’m located in Morning Mist Village, along the historic Arts and Crafts loop on Glades Rd.
Rainbow Falls has been a popular Smokies hiking destination since long before the formation of the National Park. LeConte Creek plunges near 80 feet over a massive cliff face that Harvey Broome called an “ethereal diorama,” creating the highest single-drop waterfall in the Smokies. The photos on this page were taken by Knoxville photographer Jim Thompson at various times in the 1920s and 1930s.
The trailhead to the waterfall is located on Cherokee Orchard Road, at the start of the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, just outside Gatlinburg. For most of the 2.6 mile route to Rainbow Falls, you will have LeConte Creek as your companion. It’s a steady climb as you begin the ascent of Mt. LeConte. If you follow the trail all the way to the LeConte summit, you will have gained almost 4000 feet in elevation over a 6.7 mile hike.
During the time of homesteaders, before the advent of the National Park, LeConte Creek was known as Mill Creek … so named because of nearly a dozen grist mills that supported the surrounding farming community.
Thompson’s notes on the winter scene above: “A Wintery phenomenon at Rainbow Falls, a stalactite 24 feet long and a stalagmite 36 feet high formed on Le Conte Creek during below zero weather. A misty stream is all that is left unfrozen to fall through the cylinder opening of the formation.”
If you’re vacationing in the Smokies, please consider a visit to the William Britten Gallery, located along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. You’ll find my complete display of Smoky Mtns photos, plus magnets, notecards and mugs.
Matilda “Aunt Tildy” Shields married Henry Whitehead after her first husband ran off. Henry built the house pictured above in the Chestnut Flats area of Cades Cove in 1895. Notice the brick chimney! This structure might be called the ultimate log cabin, or sometime called a “transition house” due to its near-perfect construction from logs sawed straight and flat at a nearby mill. Soon the mill-sawed lumber would replace log cabins with frame construction.
Look more closely, and you will see that behind the grand transition cabin sits a much more crude and smaller cabin of logs with a stone rubble chimney. Matilda’s brothers quickly built this cabin when her husband deserted her, and before Henry Whitehead courted and married her, and built her Smoky Mountains dream home.
Matilda’s son from her first marriage, Josiah “Joe Banty” Gregory, became a prominent producer of moonshine in Cades Cove during Prohibition.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. I’m located in Morning Mist Village, along the historic Arts and Crafts loop on Glades Rd.
The textures in these photos of aged wood are a thing of beauty. The cracks and weathering only add character. All three of these photos are in the Smoky Mtns. The top and bottom pictures were found in Cades Cove, and the one below is from a door in one of the old cabins along “Millionaire’s Row” in Elkmont.
There are many old structures in the Smokies that bear witness to the passage of time. Cades Cove has perhaps the largest collection, but there are also many along the Roaring Fork, and over in Cataloochee, as well as other areas. It’s fun to stop and look closely at the old wood.
If you’re vacationing in the Smokies, please consider a stop at the William Britten Gallery, where you’ll find the complete display of Smoky Mtns photos, plus magnets, mugs and notecards of Smokies scenes. The Gallery is located in Morning Mist Village, along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg.
It’s a Spiritual Sunday again. Time to ponder whatever comes to mind. Like walking in the Smokies with your head pointed upwards. Watch the squirrels jump from treetop to treetop. Appreciate the soft sunlight filtering down through the canopy. Maybe spot a woodpecker at work.
These two Smoky Mtns photos illustrate a simple philosophy: look up! Studies show that a positive outlook and reaction to life’s unexpected detours are a key to happiness and longevity. It’s not always easy, and it takes some faith to know that the even the dark areas in your life’s picture add to the overall beauty. Just as in these pictures, it’s the contrasts between light and dark that give the scene some “pop.”
The treetops pictured above are some of the big trees along the trail above Laurel Falls. The photo below is a stand of Poplars along the Roaring Fork. They probably took over the cleared forest after the logging operations of the 1920s, or after the homesteaders moved out. They’re all competing for a small piece of the sunshine pie. No time to relax and stretch your limbs. No time to be an individual. You need to grow fast and straight to establish yourself, just like those around you.
Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mtns Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. I’m located in Morning Mist Village, along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd.
