The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA

Saurabh M · 7th November 2008, 09:33

Thanks for stopping by my travelogue. As most of my travels, this one also happened to be in the "Lets Go" fashion, during the last weekend. Let me give you a brief description of the place we were headed to.

The Appalachian Mountains are quite close to the East Coast and one of the most famous National Parks in that region is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its around 150 miles from where I stay and easily makes for an approx 350miles day trip (depending on the route you are selecting).

This was my second visit to the Smoky Mountains in the last 6 months. During my first visit in June, I came to realize the beauty of these mountains, situated at an approximate height of around 4500ft. Its real fun to drive along the winding roads through the forests and the mountains. Last time, I rented a car (got a Kia Rondo - a big let down), so, to enjoy the winding roads, I decided to take my own car, realizing little what was to come. It would also be fun putting the Mazda 3 through its paces on the sweeping, winding roads.

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0009-large.jpg

During my last visit, it happened to be the weekend when @1100D was also visiting the same area. However, we could not meet as the main town of Gatlinburg was too crowded with tourists and that resulted in major traffic jams on those narrow roads. Having already explored the area along the usual route, this time, I decided to take some of the odd routes along the mountains, which would allow me to bypass the town of Gatlinburg and also the usual touristy guys.

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0028-large.jpg

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0101-large.jpg

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0105-large.jpg

Its this time of the year when the Smoky Mountains have the largest tourist gatherings, especially during the last couple of weeks of October till 1st week of November. This is the FALL time here, when the Maples, Redwoods, Oaks and Aspens change their leaf colours and together it makes up for a spectacular sight. This draws all the tourists that flock to the hills to see the spectacle. Soon the leaves would fall off and it would start snowing.

From one of the road-side view points

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0109-large.jpg

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0113-large.jpg

Having all these plans in mind, we head off from Greenville by 8:30am and reach the base of the Smoky Mountains by 10:15am. On the way, as we started climbing the mountains, the vista started changing. The trees that lined the roads were brightly coloured and the mountain slopes seemed to be on fire,, bearing various shades of yellow, orange and red.

As I had mentioned earlier, in a bid to avoid the crowd and traffic jams, I had chosen a by-road while planning with Google maps, knowing little what was in store. So, before I indulge into the by-road experience, enjoy the pictures when the going was still very smooth.

This stretch was absolutely spectacular

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0140-large.jpg

The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA-dsc_0125-large.jpg

Attachment 67534

Attachment 67530

deepgautam_qa · 7th November 2008, 09:59

Nice pitures Saurabh! Adding your car pictures, will add more vigor to this travelogue.

Cheers!!!

lohithrao · 7th November 2008, 10:00

Just one word...SPLENDID!

Wish the roads were like above here in India

WhiteKnight · 7th November 2008, 10:03

Great going so far.

Some suspense in store? Hope you have not run into some real mountain roads?

Sudipto-S-Team · 7th November 2008, 10:05

Very nice. You chose the absolute right time to visit for such photographs. The pics reminded me of one of my most favourite sonnets by Shakespeare

That time of year thou may'st in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang:

In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by-and-by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest:

Hope you aren't bored.

Tejas@perioimpl · 7th November 2008, 10:32

Nice pics! What camera are you using BTW?

kutlee · 7th November 2008, 11:01

very nice photos. where is the mazda?

mclaren1885 · 7th November 2008, 12:30

Loved the 7th pic. Would kill to drive on such beautiful roads.

Sam Kapasi · 7th November 2008, 12:51

Beautiful scenery, trees and gorgeous blue sky. Lovely place.

sonirohit · 7th November 2008, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saurabh M

Thanks for stopping by my travelogue. As most of my travels, this one also happened to be in the "Lets Go" fashion, during the last weekend. Let me give you a brief description of the place we were headed to.

I agree - have been there not in fall but in spring of 2003. Amazing drive. Had a Nissan Maxima with sunroof that time. 4 pals , some nice desi music.
Got some pics - will post them soon.

Note from TBHP Mod team: Please avoid quoting the entire post for a short reply

maddy42 · 7th November 2008, 13:03

magnificient. But some car pictures in this scenary would be awesome too

vikram_d · 7th November 2008, 13:04

There is always something special about fall in the mountains for me. Lovely pics. They just remind me of how much I am in need of a vacation. Haven't had one in the last 3 years.

Prithvi · 7th November 2008, 14:52

God knows when we will have roads like these in India.
Mera Bharath Mahan!

sj_koova · 7th November 2008, 15:43

Did you go on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
NC state will at it's best during fall.
Also Mazda3 is a great car. Enjoy your ride.

spadival · 7th November 2008, 15:55

Picture perfect scenery. As people have suggested before me, take pics of your car on the next trip.

7th November 2008, 09:33	#1
Saurabh M BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CCU & Ontario Posts: 610 Thanked: 153 Times View My Garage	The FALLen trees, The SMOKYing Mountains, The MAZDA Thanks for stopping by my travelogue. As most of my travels, this one also happened to be in the "Lets Go" fashion, during the last weekend. Let me give you a brief description of the place we were headed to. The Appalachian Mountains are quite close to the East Coast and one of the most famous National Parks in that region is The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its around 150 miles from where I stay and easily makes for an approx 350miles day trip (depending on the route you are selecting). This was my second visit to the Smoky Mountains in the last 6 months. During my first visit in June, I came to realize the beauty of these mountains, situated at an approximate height of around 4500ft. Its real fun to drive along the winding roads through the forests and the mountains. Last time, I rented a car (got a Kia Rondo - a big let down), so, to enjoy the winding roads, I decided to take my own car, realizing little what was to come. It would also be fun putting the Mazda 3 through its paces on the sweeping, winding roads. During my last visit, it happened to be the weekend when @1100D was also visiting the same area. However, we could not meet as the main town of Gatlinburg was too crowded with tourists and that resulted in major traffic jams on those narrow roads. Having already explored the area along the usual route, this time, I decided to take some of the odd routes along the mountains, which would allow me to bypass the town of Gatlinburg and also the usual touristy guys. Its this time of the year when the Smoky Mountains have the largest tourist gatherings, especially during the last couple of weeks of October till 1st week of November. This is the FALL time here, when the Maples, Redwoods, Oaks and Aspens change their leaf colours and together it makes up for a spectacular sight. This draws all the tourists that flock to the hills to see the spectacle. Soon the leaves would fall off and it would start snowing. From one of the road-side view points Having all these plans in mind, we head off from Greenville by 8:30am and reach the base of the Smoky Mountains by 10:15am. On the way, as we started climbing the mountains, the vista started changing. The trees that lined the roads were brightly coloured and the mountain slopes seemed to be on fire,, bearing various shades of yellow, orange and red. As I had mentioned earlier, in a bid to avoid the crowd and traffic jams, I had chosen a by-road while planning with Google maps, knowing little what was in store. So, before I indulge into the by-road experience, enjoy the pictures when the going was still very smooth. This stretch was absolutely spectacular Attachment 67534 Attachment 67530
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 09:59	#2
deepgautam_qa BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rajastha Posts: 221 Thanked: 8 Times	Nice pitures Saurabh! Adding your car pictures, will add more vigor to this travelogue. Cheers!!!
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 10:00	#3
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,204 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	Just one word...SPLENDID! Wish the roads were like above here in India
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 10:03	#4
WhiteKnight BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 998 Thanked: 662 Times View My Garage	Great going so far. Some suspense in store? Hope you have not run into some real mountain roads?
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 10:05	#5
Sudipto-S-Team Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,320 Thanked: 290 Times View My Garage	Very nice. You chose the absolute right time to visit for such photographs. The pics reminded me of one of my most favourite sonnets by Shakespeare That time of year thou may'st in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang: In me thou see'st the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west, Which by-and-by black night doth take away, Death's second self, that seals up all in rest: Hope you aren't bored.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 10:32	#6
Tejas@perioimpl Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 4,423 Thanked: 9,581 Times View My Garage	Nice pics! What camera are you using BTW?
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 11:01	#7
kutlee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,141 Thanked: 232 Times View My Garage	very nice photos. where is the mazda?
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 12:30	#8
mclaren1885 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore (the city of modded cars) !! Posts: 4,820 Thanked: 45 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	Loved the 7th pic. Would kill to drive on such beautiful roads.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 12:51	#9
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	Beautiful scenery, trees and gorgeous blue sky. Lovely place.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 13:03	#11
maddy42 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coorg Posts: 2,131 Thanked: 1,328 Times View My Garage	magnificient. But some car pictures in this scenary would be awesome too
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 13:04	#12
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	There is always something special about fall in the mountains for me. Lovely pics. They just remind me of how much I am in need of a vacation. Haven't had one in the last 3 years.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 14:52	#13
Prithvi BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 302 Thanked: 25 Times	God knows when we will have roads like these in India. Mera Bharath Mahan!
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 15:43	#14
sj_koova BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 673 Thanked: 620 Times View My Garage	Did you go on the Blue Ridge Parkway? NC state will at it's best during fall. Also Mazda3 is a great car. Enjoy your ride.
	() Thanks

7th November 2008, 15:55	#15
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, AU Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 26 Times View My Garage	Picture perfect scenery. As people have suggested before me, take pics of your car on the next trip.
	() Thanks