[New post] Driving through the Smoky Mountains heading towards the Blue Ridge Parkway
imagesbytdashfield posted: " We stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee which was very close to the Sugarlands visitor center and one of several entry points for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was also close to the main road that takes you from there to the end of the park, th" Images by T.Dashfield Photography
We stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee which was very close to the Sugarlands visitor center and one of several entry points for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was also close to the main road that takes you from there to the end of the park, the Oconaluftee Vistors Center in Cherokee, North Carolina. The Oconaluftee Center is right around the corner from the start (or end depends on if you are driving north like us or south) of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It takes about an hour to drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee on Newfound Gap Road (elevation 5046 feet) but that's if you drive straight through. And who would want to do that with such amazing views!
At this pullover, we were able to see the road we were going to be on once we drove down from our high position on the mountain. At this elevation it was cold and windy with snow flurries. Not what you'd expect from mid-October in Tennessee.
Finally after several pullovers to take in the stunning autumn views, we made it to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. There is more to see at this center than just maps, souvenirs, snacks and a bathroom before the long drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a mountain farm museum where you can learn how families lived in the mountains 100 years ago.
While I wish I had taken time to explore the farm, I was much more interested in these animals that were out in an open field... and causing traffic jams as people driving past pulled over to take photos of them.
After this it was time for the long drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Teri - with a very big tree outside of the visitors center.
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