Return to the Smokies Day Three
Finally our first full day of sun. We decided to head back to Cade’s Cove to shoot Sparks Lane and then head into Townsend to get breakfast. Sparks Lane was open to traffic which made get photos of the road fun because we kept having to move to the side to let the cars pass. Its a very popular road. We met Joseph Rossbach who was doing a seminar with a nice couple from Germany.
One of the vehicles that we moved out of the way for stopped down the road so they could take photos but the ruined our shots. While we were waiting, I wandered into the mist covered field and took photos of and dew covered spiderwebs. I wandered down the road because I had seen some deer crossing but they were on the other side of the stream covered lane and I wasn’t going to get my running shoes soaked. I asked the driver how long he would be because we wanted to take photos and his response was "don’t you guys have photoshop?" I love inconsiderate people. He eventually did leave.
Instead of heading to Townsend for breakfast, Tim wanted to stop by Sugarlands Visitor Center to pick up a collectible Great Smoky Mountains National Park poster he had seen on our other stops into the center. On the way out of the park, we pulled off to take photos of the river. I think we’ve been there at least 4 or 5 times. Since we were closer to Gatlinburg than Townsend, we decided to head to Pigeon Forge for breakfast which was quickly turning into brunch.
We planned to go to Flapjacks Pancake house which we bothered remembered was on the right side of the road. We still didn’t see it when we got to Sevierville so we turned around and headed to the IHOP we saw. Flapjacks in Pigeon Forge was on the opposite side of the road, the one we were both thinking was in Sevierville and we just hadn’t gone far enough. Oops.
We then headed back to the park. We headed toward Elkmont campground to hike Jake Creek trail hoping it would have some thick foliage to filter the harsh sunlight. Only problem was the trail was closed at Cucumber Gap Trail so we took a few photos of the small stream near the parking lot and then headed back to the hotel because Tim wasn’t feeling well.
Our last photo excursion of the day was heading up to Morton Overlook in Newfound Gap to get the sunset. Tim was thrilled to see Tony Sweet who’s workshop he attended in the Badlands. I had a little trouble with my exposure but as you can see, I think the photos out ok.
Another great day in the Smokies.