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Featured Photo: Dogwood Rain

Posted by Bill on July 5, 2012 in Featured Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 3 Comments

Smoky Mtns photos: Dogwood Rain © William Britten use with permission only

Dogwood Rain is one of my most enduring Smoky Mtns photos. This shot was taken along the Middle Prong in the Tremont area of the Smokies, which is one of my favorite locations. The photograph was taken in a light drizzle, umbrella in hand. With the rainy mist hanging over the creek, and the focus on the dogwood blooms on the overhanging branch, the photo has a three-dimensional look.

I recently gave Dogwood Rain a bit of a make-over, enhancing the contrast and the green color of the leaves.

The road to Tremont is a left turn just past the Townsend entrance to the Smokies, going west towards Cades Cove. After the road turns to gravel, this view presents itself on a sharp curve, with an unobstructed view of the Middle Prong of the Little River. If the dogwoods blooms are at their peak, (second and third weeks of April), and the light is good, it’s a simple matter to set up a tripod and take the shot.

Dogwood Rain is offered in all sizes. Details of sizes and pricing can be found on at the bottom of the How to Buy page. You can also purchase framed or unframed versions of this image from my online store

Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mtns Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. The Gallery is located in Morning Mist Village, along the historic Arts and Crafts loop on Glades Rd.

Free Smoky Mountains Wallpaper: Cades Cove Summer

Posted by Bill on July 2, 2012 in wallpaper. 1 Comment

Another free Smoky Mountains computer wallpaper or screensaver. Also would be a good background for the iPad. The photo above was taken on Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove on a beautiful summer morning.

This photo, and all other Smoky Mountains wallpaper, can be downloaded from http://williambritten.com/wallpaper/ Just click on the file name “Cades-Cove-Fence-Wall.jpg” and then once the large image has come up in your browser, right-click on it to save it to your hard drive. Then follow instructions below. All wallpaper images are © William Britten and are for your personal use only.

For Windows users, save the file to any location, then Open Desktop Background by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, clicking Personalization, and then clicking Desktop Background. Then click the Picture location down arrow and click Browse to search for the picture on your computer. When you find the picture you want, double-click it. It will become your desktop background and appear in the list of desktop backgrounds. Finally, under How should the picture be positioned, choose to have the picture fit the screen, and then click OK.

On the Mac, save the image to your Pictures folder, or any other location. Open System Preferences icon on your dock, and select Desktop & Screensaver. Select the picture, and then select Fill Screen, or Stretch to Fill Screen.

Watch for more free wallpaper images in the weeks to come! And please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN, along the Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd.

Smoky Mountains History: Mountain View Hotel

Posted by Bill on June 23, 2012 in Gatlinburg, History of the Smokies. 13 Comments

Mountain View Hotel in Gatlinburg 1926 © University of Tennessee Libraries

These pictures were taken by Dutch Roth. The text from his journal below describes the fascinating history in the early days of Smoky Mountains tourism, when Gatlinburg was barely a destination on the edge of the mountains.

“So many of our hikes used to begin and end at Gatlinburg. Back in 1929 the only thing there was here, was a few buildings and a dusty road, that forded Bearskin Creek that ran through the middle of town. The old Mountain View Hotel had a wooden picket fence around it and down in front of it at the junction of the Parkway and Roaring Forks Road, was an old general store. Here you could get most anything that you wanted. It was made out of wood and had a front porch across the front of it. We used to leave our cars at the Hotel and hike from there to whereever we wanted to. Then when we would return from our trip, hot and tired or in the winter, cold and hungry, we would find a hot supper waiting for us there at the hotel. Most of the time we would have country ham and hot biscuits and honey.”

“I took a picture of Gatlinburg at this time showing the old dusty road and the creek and an old house. The only hotels were the Mountain View and the Riverside on the river. Gatlinburg has changed since those days. Now it is a good size city and is incorporated now. It only takes about an hour or so to get to Gatlinburg now from Knoxville, where it use to take all day long. On December 8, 1934, we had our annual Hiking Club banquet at the Mountain View Hotel at Gatlinburg. After a nice meal we had the elections of officers, then we square danced till midnight. Then we gathered around a log fire in the lobby of the Hotel and saw some movies and sang till 2 in the morning. After which we started on a mystery hike. We got back to the hotel about 4 A.M.”

Gatlinburg 1925 © University of Tennessee Libraries

Used with permission of The Great Smoky Mountains Regional Collection, University of Tennessee Libraries

Cades Cove: John Oliver Homestead

Posted by Bill on June 21, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 0 Comments

John Oliver Homestead © William Britten use with permission only

John Oliver was a pioneer who built his log cabin around 1826 in the Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains. The homestead is typical of the time with logs trimmed with a broad ax, fit together with dovetail corner joints, and the cracks filled in with a mortar that is little more than dried clay. Today, nearly 200 years after the Olivers took up residence in the Cove, this homestead is the first stop along the Cades Cove Loop Road. It’s a short walk from the parking area, up through a hay meadow where you may often see deer grazing. The cabin is framed nicely with a split rail fence, and offers many opportunities for iconic Smoky Mountains photos.

John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove © William Britten use with permission only

The image at the top of the page is a conversion to black and white with a sepia tone. This works especially well with pictures of old wood, such as fences and log cabins. I discuss this technique in a previous blog post with several other black and white conversions of Smoky Mountains photos in Cades Cove.

If you are vacationing in the Gatlinburg area, please stop in for a visit to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. There are framed and matted prints, as well as mugs, magnets, posters and notecards.

John Oliver Cabin and Split Rail Fence © William Britten use with permission only

The Roaring Fork in Black and White

Posted by Bill on June 16, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Photography Tips. 0 Comments

Sunrise on the Roaring Fork © William Britten use with permission only

Lately I’ve become hooked on black and white conversions. A couple of weeks ago I posted some black and white Smoky Mountains photos from Cades Cove. Today’s offerings are from along the Roaring Fork.

In the digital era the camera’s sensor records everything in color. Unlike the monochromatic film of yore, you must start with a color image and then do a conversion. But the basics of black and white photography have not changed. Not every scene lends itself to a monochrome presentation. All you have to work with are shades of gray and dark and light. It’s all about contrasts in the areas of light. I think that photos of creeks are good candidates, especially the boulder-strewn Roaring Fork. The natural colors here are mostly whites of the water and grays of the rocks, so you have a lot of neutral shades to work with. Add some dramatic lighting, and you might just have a great black and white photo. The photos on this page were converted using Lightroom, including the addition of a sepia tone that gives each image a warm coloring.

Recently I’ve added some black and white panoramas to my gallery of Smoky Mountains photos. These, and all of my Smokies landscapes are on display at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Trail on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg.

Smoky Mountains photos: Roaring Fork Morning © William Britten use with permission only

New Black and White Panoramas in the Gatlinburg Gallery

Posted by Bill on June 14, 2012 in William Britten Gallery. 1 Comment

Smoky Mountains photos in Black and White © William Britten use with permission only

Last month I wrote a blog post about converting some of my Smoky Mountains photos to black and white. I’ve been having fun with this technique lately, and will be showing more of these photos in the future. I liked the look so much that I’ve created three panoramas featuring scenes from Cades Cove. These are one-of-a-kind images measuring 12″ x 24 ” and framed in rustic barnwood. They can be seen at my Gatlinburg Gallery on Glades Rd. or ordered by phone.

I’ve also created several small 5×7″ photos, framed in barnwood.

John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove © William Britten use with permission only

If you are in the Gatlinburg area on vacation, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery in Morning Mist Village along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop. All of my Smoky Mountains photos are on display, mostly in stunning color. The gallery also features mugs, magnets and notecards and is open every day but Sunday 10-5.

And if you are a facebook person, please consider becoming a fan of the William Britten Photography page on facebook. I post news updates and photos from the Smokies, plus occasional special offers only on facebook.

Smoky Mountains Photos: Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove © William Britten use with permission only

Spiritual Sunday: Special Gifts

Posted by Bill on June 10, 2012 in philosophy, Spiritual Sunday. 1 Comment

Morning Majesty © William Britten use with permission only

I’ve been working on a small project, and I’m ready to share it. The basic idea is to use Smoky Mountains photos as the context for a short philosophical statement. The statements are about the capacity of nature to lift the spirit. These photos and words can be sent to a loved one or friend as a little “happy.” Something like a notecard … a small “Spiritual Gift.”

I’ve created three of these pages so far. First I’ll share links to the pages … if you care to read them … and then I’ll let you know how to share them with someone. Here are the pages:

Morning Majesty – features a sunrise over the endless Smoky Mountains … the timeless beauty of another morning.

Dogwood Homestead – features the photo below and some thoughts on the idyllic tranquility of another era.

Finding Deep Peace in Wild Places – features the photo at the bottom of this page, with thoughts about how time in the mountains can serve as an antidote to a stressful world.

Smoky Mountains photos: Dogwood Home © William Britten use with permission only

There are a couple of ways to share these “Spiritual Gift” pages. First, you can click on one of the links above and then click on the “Share” button on the top of the page. From there you can email to someone, post it to facebook or twitter, or other possibilities.

The second way, is only for facebook users, but it’s pretty cool. Click on this link below, and follow the instructions to send one of the gifts to a facebook friend.

Spiritual Gifts on facebook

If you’re visiting the Smoky Mountains, please consider a visit to the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. My Smoky Mountains photos are on display as framed or matted prints, as well as magnets, mugs, and notecards.

Finding Deep Peace in Nature © William Britten use with permission only

Wordless Wednesday: Roaring Fork in Black and White

Posted by Bill on June 6, 2012 in Wordless Wednesday. 0 Comments

Roaring Fork Sunrise © William Britten use with permission only

Cades Cove: Carter Shields Cabin

Posted by Bill on June 2, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 10 Comments

Carter Shields cabin in Cades Cove © William Britten use with permission only

George Washington “Carter” Shields lived on this homestead from around 1910 to 1920, although the cabin dates from the 1830s. Carter Shields place is one of the stops along the Cades Cove loop road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Carter Shields was a Civil War veteran, crippled at the Battle of Shiloh on April 1862 in Southwestern Tennessee.

In the springtime, the dogwood trees and split rail fence create many opportunities for memorable Smoky Mountains photos here. The Shields cabin is also very attractive to deer … perhaps a salt lick under the porch … and you often find an extra bonus for your photos.

This scene, along with the dogwoods and fence, are in one of my Featured Photos, called Dogwood Home.

Please stop in and visit me to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. All of my landscape images offered both matted and framed, as well as a selection of magnets, mugs, and notecards. The Gallery is located along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg.

Shields Cabin © William Britten use with permission only

Cades Cove in Black and White

Posted by Bill on May 26, 2012 in Photography Tips. 0 Comments

Cades Cove panorama in toned monochrome © William Britten use with permission only

Lately I’ve been inspired to convert some of my Smoky Mountains photos to black and white. There are many ways to do this, including software such as Silver Efex or Photoshop. I am a big fan of Lightroom for many reasons, and it has built in conversion that works fine. I like to add a tone to simulate the old wet toners that used to be added in the darkroom. The photos on this page were all given a sepia tone. Dodging and burning is also very useful when working in monochrome, since it’s only the shades of grey that you have to work with. All of these photos had some areas lightened and some areas darkened by using a Photoshop layers technique.

I also tend to do a lot of local contrast adjustment. Again, there are a lot of software programs that will do this, which is basically creating more separation along the borders of darks and lights. I do this to some degree for virtually every photo, but for black and white it seems even more important.

John Oliver Cabin © William Britten use with permission only

These photos were all taken in Cades Cove and were converted from the original raw image file. The panoramic on the top of the page was stitched from several files. The shot from Hyatt Lane below was taken at the same time as one of my Featured Photos, Cades Cove Morning. You can compare the two to see the difference color makes.

If you’re in Gatlinburg, come on out to Morning Mist Village along the historic Arts and Crafts loop on Glades Rd. My complete display of Smoky Mountains photos is on display at the William Britten Gallery, along with some nifty magnets, mugs, and notecards. Maybe a special something to take home.

Smoky Mountains Wildflowers: One-flowered Cancer Root

Posted by Bill on May 24, 2012 in Wildflowers. 0 Comments

Now here is a Smoky Mountains wildflower with a dramatic name! One-flowered Cancer Root (Orobanche uniflora) is one of the root parasites. The tiny pale-white or lavender blooms sit atop hairy leafless stalks. They come up in clusters in rich, damp woods and stream banks. The bloom appears in April and May. These photos were taken along the Husky Gap Trail and the Old Sugarlands Trail near the Visitors Center.

There is another parasitic wildflower with the name Cancer Root, or Squaw Root.

If you are a Smoky Mountains wildflowers fan, please consider joining my wildflower page on facebook. We feature photography and information on bloom sightings. And if you’re travelling to the Smokies on vacation, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. All of my Smoky Mountains landscape photos are on display, along with mugs, magnets and notecards. There may be a special mountain memory for you to take home.

Along the Roaring Fork: Jim Bales Place

Posted by Bill on May 22, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 3 Comments

Jim Bales Homestead © William Britten use with permission only

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a narrow, one-way loop and a wonderful opportunity for Smoky Mountains photos. Start from stoplight number 8 in Gatlinburg, proceed up the hill and enter the Smokies at the Cherokee Orchard entrance. The six-mile route will take you past several cabins of the early settlers of the area. Jim Bales place is one of several early homesteads that are preserved in the Park.

Who was Jim Bales? James Wesley Bales was born in 1869. Jim and his older brother, Ephraim, spent most of their lives from the 1860s to the 1930s on the Roaring Fork. Jim married Emma Ogle, a young woman from a neighboring homestead.

The cabin pictured above was actually the Alex Cole cabin moved by the Park Service from the Sugarlands area of the Smokies. But the corncrib and barn, seen below, are what remains of Jim Bales’ life on the Roaring Fork.

The view from Jim's Place © William Britten use with permission only

The Roaring Fork cuts down right next the the Bales homestead and provides some fine angles for photos — especially when the dogwoods and rhododendron bloom.

Smoky Mountains photos along the Roaring Fork © William Britten use with permission only

Please stop in for a visit to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN. I’m located along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop along Glades Rd. And if you are a facebook follower, please consider following my facebook page for daily updates and more Smoky Mountains photos.

Wordless Wednesday: Cabin with a View

Posted by Bill on May 16, 2012 in Wordless Wednesday. 0 Comments

Resort Cabin with a View of the Smokies © William Britten use with permission only

Always Something New

Posted by Bill on May 13, 2012 in Spiritual Sunday. 3 Comments

On the road up to Newfound Gap © William Britten use with permission only

It’s Spiritual Sunday again, with a couple of Smoky Mountains photos to talk about how there is always something new.

Earlier this week I took three hikers up to Newfound Gap early in the morning to start their Appalachian Trail adventure. It was wet and misty, and we all hoped they wouldn’t be facing rain for their first day of hiking. I’ve driven up this road so many times, and after completing the trail shuttle I was tempted to just head straight home. Put it on autopilot … seen these mountains hundreds of times, and it’s just a cloudy day, after all. And, there was a cup of coffee calling to me, and about time to open up the Gallery for the day.

But, suddenly the steering wheel is turning, and the car and I are stopped in a couple of pull-offs on the way back down. The camera springs to life, and here we go again … looking, with attention. The picture above is taken from Morton Overlook, just below Newfound Gap. Following the valley in the center of the photo from bottom to top is the route back down to Gatlinburg. We’ll end up going down right beneath the two bumps on the horizon, known as the Chimneys. I’ve taken quite a few shots from Morton Overlook, and there’s always something new. The picture below is from the overlook just above Morton, looking more to the west. Such a nice glow on the morning mist, and that spruce tree has seen it all.

So there it is … always something new. Maybe I can remember that when life seems too normal, and I slip out of the moment, not paying full attention.

Morning glow and Morning Mist © William Britten use with permission only

Featured Photo: Roaring Fork Sunrise

Posted by Bill on May 11, 2012 in Featured Photos. 5 Comments

Smoky Mountains Photos: Roaring Fork Sunrise © William Britten use with permission only

Roaring Fork Sunrise 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

This image is one of my Smoky Mountains photos from a series that was meant to be somewhat moody and mysterious. Several photos from the series were featured in a blog post titled “Mysterious Mountain Memories.” Roaring Fork Sunrise was first introduced into the Gatlinburg Gallery as a greeting card, and it has generated enough attention to earn a spot on the wall as a framed piece.

The picture has a dash of the surreal … a sense of daylight chasing the dark along one of the most iconic streams in the Smokies. There’s a midnight memory mixed with daylight’s bright colors, and the mixture of the two realms creates a feeling of mystery. It’s very early morning along the dark creek, and a very long exposure time lets the flowing water contribute to the mood.

If you are traveling to the Smokies, please stop in and say hello at the William Britten Gallery along the Historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. I’m located in the Morning Mist Village shopping area, and my complete selection of Smoky Mountains photos, as well as mugs, notecards and magnets are all on display most days throughout the year. Also, consider following me on facebook by clicking the Like button to the right.

High Season for AT Hikers

Posted by Bill on May 8, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 1 Comment

If you follow this blog, you know that I enjoy volunteering to help shuttle Appalachian Trail hikers between Gatlinburg and the Trail. I love to get up early, pick up the hikers at their hotel, and head up the mountain. Everyone has a story, and they are all happy to be off on their adventure. It’s fun to see them head down the trail, sometimes in rain or fog, sometimes in snow, but always in high spirits.

This is the high season for Appalachian Trail hikers. The “through hikers” have started in Geogia and are attempting to make it all the way to Mt. Katahdin in Maine before cold weather sets in. See the sign below … 1972 miles to go before the trail ends in Maine! There are also many “sectional hikers” who are doing segments of the trail, and many of these hikers have a goal of completing the entire trail, one section at a time.

This week I have made two early morning runs up the mountain, both to help out folks doing sectional hikes. The three gentlemen in the photo above are from Houston, and they started in Georgia with a 5-week time allotment. They will complete the entire 70-mile traverse of the Smoky Mountains, plus some more. The couple below have been Appalachian Trail hikers working on their sections for 15 years, and are nearly complet. This was their first hike in the Smoky Mountains.

Whether you’re a serious hiker or a vacationer in the Gatlinburg area, please consider a trek out to the William Britten Gallery. I’m located on Glades Rd along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop. My complete display of photography from the Smoky Mountains is on display. There just might be a special memory of the Smokies for you to take home.

Deep Woods

Posted by Bill on May 6, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, philosophy, Spiritual Sunday. 2 Comments

Deep Woods in the Smoky Mountains © William Britten use with permission only

It’s another Spiritual Sunday. Today we are in the Deep Woods.

Something about being among Big Trees speaks to a person’s soul. If you’ve ever stood in a grove of California Redwoods, you know the feeling. They’ve lived for so long, and withstood so many of nature’s hardships. They tower above their peers, leaving you to gaze at the massive trunk, or crane your neck to look up into their canopy. If you hike the same Smoky Mountains trails again and again, some of these giants become like friends. To stand in a forest of old-growth big trees is to be within Nature’s cathedral.

Smoky Mountains photos: Big Trees © William Britten use with permission only

Where to find Big Trees in the Smoky Mountains? Since much of the Smokies was cut for timber before the Park was formed, there are only a few large groves left. One accessible spot, where both of the pictures above were taken, is above Laurel Falls. Most folks take the popular hike to the falls and then turn around. But if you continue on for another half mile or so, there is a nice grove of old growth trees. Another one can be found along the Ramsay Cascades Trail in the Greenbier section of the Smoky Mountains. And of course, a great experience with Deep Woods can be found outside the National Park, in the Joyce Kilmer National Forest near Robbinsville, NC.

Smoky Mountains photos: Deep Dark Woods © William Britten use with permission only

If you are on vacation or traveling through the Gatlinburg area, please stop in for a visit 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 Glades Rd. in the historic Arts and Crafts district.

Smoky Mountains Wildflowers: Trailing Arbutus

Posted by Bill on May 3, 2012 in Wildflowers. 0 Comments

Smoky Mountains photos: wildflowers — Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) © William Britten use with permission only

Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) is one of the earliest wildflowers to bloom in the Smoky Mountains. All of the photos on this page were found near the top of the Chestnut Top Trail, starting to bloom in mid-March. The blossom tends from white to pale pink. There are also good displays of Trailing Arbutus along the trail to Spruce Flat Falls as well as the Abrams Falls Trail. All of these trails offer great opportunities of Smoky Mountains photos of wildflowers.

This wildflower forms a low-growing shrub-like evergreen which sheds and replaces its leaves in the spring after the bloom. The delicately scented blossom was used by mountain women as a perfume.

Please stop in for a visit at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg, TN to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains Photos. And if you are a fan of Smoky Mountains wildflowers, please consider joining my wildflowers page on facebook. We feature photography and information on bloom sightings.

Spring Snowcap

Posted by Bill on April 29, 2012 in Spiritual Sunday. 5 Comments

Smoky Mountains Spring Snowcap © William Britten use with permission only

Last week we had a Spiritual Sunday with dramatic light out in Cades Cove. This week’s Spiritual Sunday features the dramatic conditions that came with an early spring cold-snap and snow in the high elevations. There were wonderful opportunities for Smoky Mountains photos from many of the overlooks around the Smokies. The photo above was taken from the overlook on the Gatlinburg by-pass, looking towards Mt. LeConte. The valley in the center of the picture is where the Roaring Fork Motor Trail heads up out of Gatlinburg on its 6-mile loop. The drama of the snow and clouds contrasts with the idyllic split-rail fence and the peaceful spring day in the lower part of the photo.

The photo below was taken from the Foothills Parkway near Cosby. The view is of Mt. Cammerer. I love the way the sunlight, clouds and wind created a rapidly changing landscape of shadows moving across the landscape. Also notice how the green leaves on the trees are creeping up the valleys of the mountains, but along the ridges spring has not arrived yet.

Smoky Mountains Photos: snow on Mt. Cammerer © William Britten use with permission only

Finally, the photo below was taken from a vantage point just east of Gatlinburg, looking more directly at the face of Mt. LeConte than in the photo at the top of the page. This was the last rays of sunlight for the day raking across the trees and the snowcap on the mountain.

All of the photos on this page can be viewed in a larger size by clicking on any of them.

As always, if you travel to the Smokies please stop in and say hello at the William Britten Gallery along the Historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. My complete selection of Smoky Mountains photos is on display, as well as mugs, notecards and magnets. There just might be a special memory for you to take home with you.

Snowcap on Mt. LeConte © William Britten use with permission only

Favorite Trails: Abrams Falls

Posted by Bill on April 26, 2012 in Favorite Trails. 0 Comments

The trail to Abrams Falls is one of the most popular Smoky Mountains hikes. Get to the parking area at the western edge of Cades Cove early, and enjoy this easy-going hike before the crowds arrive! Abrams Creek and the waterfall are named after Chief Abram, leader of the Cherokees who lived at Chilhowee Village, near the mouth of Abrams Creek.

The trail follows Abrams Creek over a fairly easy course for about two and a half miles, starting at the footbridge pictured above. Midway, the trail climbs Arbutus Ridge, and from this point 200 feet above the creek, you can see how the stream makes an extreme loop through a gorge known as Big Horseshoe. The loop continues for nearly a mile, finally curving back on itself nearly to where it began, separated only by the lower end of Arbutus Ridge.

During the spring wildflower season, you will find Trailing Arbutus along this section of the trail, as well as Bleeding Hearts and Gay Wings.

At the waterfall there is a sign warning of the dangers risked by those who jump off the falls or swim near its strong currents. Apparently this didn’t stop Dutch Roth and his friends from diving off the cliffs back in the 1940s.

Smoky Mountains photos: Abrams Falls © William Britten use with permission only

As always please stop in and say hello at the William Britten Gallery along the Historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. My complete selection of Smoky Mountains photos, as well as mugs, notecards and magnets are all on display most days throughout the year.

Spiritual Sunday: Cades Cove Meditation

Posted by Bill on April 22, 2012 in Spiritual Sunday. 0 Comments

Spiritual Light in Cades Cove © William Britten use with permission only

It’s a Spiritual Sunday in late April, and today we’re just out for a walk and stopping for a meditation on the beauty of a spring day in Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains. Most people who come to the Smokies pay a visit to Cades Cove, and for good reason … it may be one of the most majestic and spiritual places on earth. I’ve probably written more blog posts about Cades Cove than any other area of the Smoky Mountains.

My strategy is to go early. I’m parked at the gate before sunrise when the Park Ranger drives up to open the loop road for the day. Then, rather than drive the 11 mile loop, I pick a spot, park the car and take a walk. There are many places to do this, and getting out of the congested traffic gives you the opportunity for photos that aren’t the standard scenes that everyone else gets. But best of all, it gets you connected to the spiritual side of the Smoky Mountains, off in a field with just you and the mountains, and maybe a deer or two.

On this morning the weather was looking dramatic, with shafts of sunlight scanning the central meadows. I decided to park along Hyatt Lane, one of the gravel lanes that cuts across the paved loop road. The early spring grass is still short and easy to walk through, so it’s off into the fields we go, just wandering out to the point where it feels like nothing but you and nature and the mountains all around.

Walking near Hyatt Lane © William Britten use with permission only

As always please stop in and say hello at the William Britten Gallery along the Historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. My complete selection of photos of the Smoky Mountains, as well as mugs, notecards and magnets are all on display most days throughout the year.

Spiritual Light on Dogwoods © William Britten use with permission only

Featured Photo: Dogwood Home

Posted by Bill on April 19, 2012 in Featured Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 4 Comments

Dogwood Home 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 dogwood blooms were especially pretty in the Cades Cove area of the Smoky Mountains during the spring of 2012 when this picture of Carter Shields cabin was taken. This is one of the older cabins along the loop road, dating from the mid-1800s. George Washington “Carter” Shields fought in the Civil War, and returned to live in Cades Cove during the early 1900s.

For me, this picture evokes the idyllic tranquility of another era, and the dogwoods add a symbolic touch of love and peace, and the promise of rebirth that comes with every spring. Even though life in this rustic cabin would have been harsh in the 1800s, it’s fun to imagine living here as an antidote to our hectic modern lifestyles.

A side-note on this picture: when I set up for the shot another photographer was working up by the cabin. I waited a while for him to finish, but finally I gave up and positioned him behind the tree to the right. He stayed there for about 30 minutes while I worked on this shot.

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 landscapes of the Smoky Mountains. There just might be a picture waiting to go home with you!

Smoky Mountains Wildflowers: Gay Wings

Posted by Bill on April 15, 2012 in Wildflowers. 1 Comment

Gay Wings (Polygala paucifolia) is a perennial herb in the Milkwort family. The Greek name “Polygala” means much milk, and refers to the belief that eating these plants would increase the production of milk in nursing mothers and livestock. The two petals of the flower give the appearance of a bird in flight. Other common names include Bird on the Wing and Flowering Wintergreen.

These are tiny wildflowers, but if you hike the trail to Abrams Falls in early April, you can’t miss seeing many clumps of these tiny blooms on the hillside above the trail.

If you are a fan of Smoky Mountains wildflowers, please consider joining my wildflower page on facebook. We feature photography and information on bloom sightings. And if you’re travelling to the Smokies on vacation, please stop in at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. in Gatlinburg. All of my Smoky Mountains landscape photography is on display, and there may be a special mountain memory for you to take home.

Smoky Mountains Wildflowers Photography © William Britten use with permission only

Springtime on Sparks Lane

Posted by Bill on April 12, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 3 Comments

It’s a glorious springtime in Cades Cove. The dogwood blooms have come early, and the Smoky Mountains are dressed in their spring finery. There are opportunities for Smoky Mountains photos everywhere you look. The pictures on this page were taken along Sparks Lane, the first cut-through in Cades Cove. Early in the morning, soon after the Park Rangers opened the gate for the day.

The other cut-through road along the loop road is Hyatt Lane. Both of these roads are gravel and are bordered by old fenceposts and wire, which will give your photos that old-time country lane look. With the Smoky Mountains rising in the distance, these two country lanes offer some exceptional vistas.

Whenever you’re in Gatlinburg, please consider a stop at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd. My display of Smoky Mountains photos might just contain a special memory for you to take home.

Smoky Mountains Photos: Dogwood Time in Cades Cove © William Britten use with permission only

Wordless Wednesday: Spring Green on Hyatt Lane

Posted by Bill on April 11, 2012 in Wordless Wednesday. 0 Comments

Spring Green on Hyatt Lane © William Britten use with permission only

Smoky Mountains Wildflowers: Dog Hobble

Posted by Bill on April 5, 2012 in Wildflowers. 2 Comments

Dog Hobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana) is among the early Smoky Mountains wildflowers. It’s a member if the Heath family, like Trailing Arbutus, the Azaleas, Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. The plant has evergreen, leathery leaves, and gets its name from a tendency to form impenetrable tangles along streams in the Smokies. The strongly scented white bloom clusters can usually be spotted in April. The leaves are reported to be highly toxic, perhaps even fatal, if eaten.

Wordless Wednesday: Dogwood Time in the Cove

Posted by Bill on April 4, 2012 in Wordless Wednesday. 0 Comments

Dogwood Time in the Cove © William Britten use with permission only

Great Smoky Easter Craft Show

Posted by Bill on April 2, 2012 in Gatlinburg. 0 Comments

Great Smoky Thanksgiving Craft Fair in Gatlinburg

Once more, it’s Craft Fair time in Gatlinburg! The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community begins the annual Easter Show this week (Thursday April 5th) in the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The show will run through Saturday, April 7th, and we will be open from 10 to 6.

To find the fair, turn up the hill at stoplight number 8 in downtown Gatlinburg. The convention center is on the right going up the hill.

During the fair the William Britten Gallery will be open as usual out on Galdes Rd. along the historic Arts and Crafts area of Gatlinburg.

AT Hiking Adventures

Posted by Bill on March 31, 2012 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 0 Comments

Readers of this blog know that I enjoy volunteering to help Appalachian Trail hikers shuttle between Gatlinburg and the trail. Most of these folks have spent a lot of time planning and dreaming of their adventure, and it warms my heart to assist them in some small way.

This week I was scheduled to give a ride to the family pictured above. Lisa was in quest of a Girl Scout badge, and her family joined in on a hike to LeConte Lodge and then on to one of the back-country shelters. The group gathered at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, and ran into Candy and Wendy, pictured below. They were former college pals, also headed up the trail to LeConte for a special time together.

As always when you take a break from hiking, the welcome mat is out at the William Britten Gallery along the historic Arts and Crafts Loop on Glades Rd in Gatlinburg. All of my Smoky Mountains landscape photos are on display in lots of sizes, framed and unframed, and magnets cards and mugs too.

Featured Photo: Greenbrier Springtime

Posted by Bill on March 25, 2012 in Featured Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 4 Comments

Smoky Mountain creek in springtime — Greenbrier Springtime © William Britten - use with permission only

Greenbrier Spring was taken just downstream from the bridge leading up the Ramsay Prong Road in the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains. The creek entering from the right is the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River, and straight ahead is the Ramsay Prong entering. A beautiful spring day after the dogwood blooms have faded, and the creeks are singing following a lot of rain.

The final image above is the result of merging three panels, each with the camera in the vertical position. And in fact each of the three panels was composed of three separate photos needed to capture the extreme highlights in the water, as well as the deep shadows in the woods. So, a total of 9 photos were merged together to create this one stunning picture.

Greenbrier Spring has great detail and is especially suited to large sizes. It is offered in all sizes up to 20×30. Details of sizes and pricing can be found on the How to Buy page.

The picture below is from the same vantage point during a late winter snow.

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 the historic Arts and Crafts Community along Glades Rd.