Last week we experienced a popular Smoky Mountains view at the Oconaluftee Overlook. This time we’re enjoying the view from Morton’s Overlook. The photograph above is looking west, down the valley towards Gatlinburg. You can see the twin bumps of the Chimney Tops in the upper left portion of the photo. This view spot is a short drive from Gatlinburg. Drive into the Smokies and head up towards Newfound Gap. Before you reach the summit, there are several pulloffs to the right. Morton’s is the only one with an identifying name sign. It’s a perfect spot to photograph a Smoky Mountains sunset, especially during the summer months when the sun is perfectly positioned to shine down the valley.
This is a wonderful location for a Miles Away experience. Most folks zoom in, take a quick photo, and zoom off. It can get crowded here around sunset. But if you arrive early, or especially if a summer storm is clearing out in the late afternoon, you can watch the light change in subtle and beautiful ways. For example, the “spiritual light” reaching between the trees in the picture above only lasted for 30 seconds or so! It’s a good place to relax with a picnic and just watch and be there. The photo below shows the scene on a misty morning.
The photograph above hangs in my gallery and is called Spiritual Light. Please stop in for a visit to see the complete display of Smoky Mountains photography at the William Britten Gallery in Gatlinburg.
