Spring of 2013 ... Down In The South

Knowing that winter would get the best of us, we planned a new timesharing  trip (through RCI) to the South. After much research for photographic opportunities, we decided to locate ourselves in the SW corner of North Carolina. We stayed @ the Wyndham Resorts in Sapphire NC. The timeshare property, and unit we stayed in, were very nice but the surrounding scenery was breathtaking. As soon as you drove out of the complex, you were surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys. Unfortunately Spring had not taken full effect down there, nevertheless the overall feeling was one of beauty and the planet seemingly coming back to life (compared to winter in Rochester NY anyway).
The area is also rich in many creeks, streams and waterfalls. Included in that listing was the gorgeous area known as Whitewater Falls, a 411 ft drop of water (the Whitewater River) plunging down into the Jacossee Gorge region. It is the longest waterfall drop East of the Rocky Mountains. It literally cascades down through the mountainous region until coming to the foot of the gorge. It can be found in the Sapphire / Toxaway area of North Carolina off of Route 281. While this must be a beautiful site anytime of the year, including Spring we are most anxious to return to the area, probably in the Fall of 2014 to capture it again in all of its Fall color glory.
Dipping into South Carolina one day (we hugged the borders of NC / SC / TN), we ventured into Pickens SC where we had the pleasure of touring Table Rock State Park. It encompasses over 3000 acres of beautiful territory including bordering the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Built in the 1930's, and part of the Lower Cherokee Nation, it had a damn constructed so as to hold in Pinnacle Lake, which is often used for swimming, boating & fishing. We were fortunate in that, on the day we arrived, we had a gorgeous sky. As you can see here, this led to a beautiful reflection of the area off the surface of Pinnacle lake. This is yet another area I must revisit some Fall season.
One day, while visiting the local Gorges Park, a volunteer worker (Lynn) informed us that Rt 441, which cuts through the Great Smoky Mountains, had opened after 3 months of reconstruction. It had been shut down in previous months due to an area landslide which washed out part of the road. I was thrilled to find out we could now get through. Having spent a prior trip on the western side of the mountains, it was my intent to enter from the East this time but of course revisit the whole area.
Once entering we stumbled on an original grist mill, the Mingus Grist Mill. It was constructed in1886, and what makes this mill different is that it does not employ the conventional water wheel. Instead it utilizes a long, water bearing trough which disappears under the building and powers a simple turbine device. This in turn was used to grind corn. We were able to tour inside and was greeted by a guide. It actually felt, just for a moment, like we had gone back in time. Looking at this made me realize just how fortunate we are to live in the high tech world of today (well .. sometimes lucky .. I won't include the idiots I saw on the parkways texting while driving).
From the mill we decided to drive up to Clingman's Dome (via what else .. Clingman Dome Road), a point over 6000 ft up and offering a 360 deg. view of the entire Greater Smoky Mountains. The passage is understandably closed during the winter months. The actual trek up the road is about 7 miles. Once there you can park & take in the vista. However if you are of tough stock, you can walk the 1/2 mile steep paved walkway up to the tippy tippy top .. the Dome itself. It isn't enough that you are gasping for breath upon arriving at the top ... BUT ... you now have to walk up a curved, inclined ramp to get to the actual observation tower. Although we had cell phone service, good news .. we did not have to call 911. It was freezing up there .. mid 50's at the base of the Smoky's that day BUT 27 deg. F at the Dome !!! If that wasn't enough, it was very windy up at the Dome also. Needless to say .. I grabbed a couple of panoramic photos and then quickly proceeded down the ramp .. eventually back to the parking lot. I have to admit though it was worth the hike. The 360 deg visa was something you have to see. Being hazy, it does not lend itself to ideal photography but that's ok. You truly have to be up there & see it with your own eyes to appreciate its awe and beauty.
Time for lunch .. so off we went back down to one of our favorite towns, Gatlinburg TN. We had been there in the Summer of 2007 but was awfully hot & humid. This time it was a clear, crisp & sunny day with temperatures hovering near 60 deg F. Going back into the Smoky's we grabbed a few road side stream photos but of particular note was a spot called THE SINKS.

 It is located just inside the Western portion of the Smoky's about 11 miles from the visitor center off of Little River Road. The Little River runs swiftly through the area, under a bridge, then makes a sharp turn. Visitors can park there and hike around. Crossing the river on foot over rocks is dangerous & 1 lady drowned there years ago. We, from the safety of the shoreline, was able to procure several standard and panoramic photos of the rivers as it blasts it's way over the rocks. Directly above is a thumbnail of what will be a 34" x 10" panoramic print, which we do sell.
Needless to say, in spite of several rainy days & closures, we had an adventurous trip. As I'm sure many of you will agree .. even a bad day of photography is better than a good day at work. That said .. I praise the Lord that my wife and I are retired and, at the moment, healthy enough to enjoy it.

Too see the full collection of photos from this trip (and many others) please visit our website ...
www.stochlimaging.com

On a final note I have to mention that if any of you should ever be lucky enough to visit or stay in the area of the Wyndham Resorts in Sapphire NC, you absolutely must stop in at a charming little restaurant right there in the complex (which is just off Rt 64). It is called the FOUR SEASONS GRILLE. It is owned and operated by our new friend Natalie & her husband. The food is OUTSTANDING and man is there PLENTY of it. If you have a hearty appetite I can think of no better place. If that isn't gratifying enough, there prices are rediculously low considering the GIANT portions you get. If you ever happen to be down that way check it out .. the Four Seasons Grille @ 217 Valley Rd in the Sapphire Valley of NC.