I have some good friends that spent a long weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At some point, they decided that it would be nice to experience the park up close and personal with a hike to the very popular Abrams Falls in the Cades Cover area of the park. It’s two and a half miles from the trailhead to the falls, and of course it’s exactly the same distance back to the parking area. And the trail is considered “moderate,” with some elevation changes, and the typical roots and rocks that you have to step over on mountain trails. Many people that are unfamiliar with hiking mountain trails do not realize how long it can take to walk a mile, and that a five mile trip can be quite strenuous. Many fail to carry drinking water and blister patches and other hiking necessities.... 02/23/2010

The Abrams Falls Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers one of the best day hikes for those seeking a mountain waterfall experience. The hike is a pleasant five mile round-trip excursion that takes you alongside Abrams Creek through a deep hardwood and rhododendron forest. The well used trail offers a moderate amount of climbs over root, rocks and ridges, and can be a bit slippery after a rainfall, but should not be too strenuous for the average walker. The highlight of the trail is the beautiful Abrams Falls. Although the falls are only twenty feet in height, they carry the highest volume of water of any waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And the combination of large water volume, a beautiful deep pool below the drop, and relatively easy access make ... 10/18/2009

A friend of mine is visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October, and asked me about some of my favorite places. He added one caveat ...he needed to see the park sights within limited walking distance from the car. This caught me a little by surprise, because most people ask about my favorite hiking trails. After thinking about it for some time, I realized that there are many amazing sights that can be seen without the need for hours of hiking along steep trails. One of the most popular spots in the park is Cades Cove. Cades Cove is a great place to tour by auto. The eleven mile one way loop rode offers sweeping valley vistas, plentiful wildlife and historic structures. Cades Cove has three historic churches and many graveyards that recall the names of the past inhabitant... 09/08/2009

When we think of spring and photography, we usually think about all of the wonderful and colorful blooms that burst forth in our neighborhood. It is truly beautiful and I take as many photos of flowers in spring as I can. But some years back, I also noticed that trees had a unique quality during the leafing process. As they initially set their seeds, they assume autumn-like hues for a very short period of time. They can appear red, orange and yellow with a translucent quality that is very conducive to photography. The film photograph in this article, which appears at first glance to be taken in October, was actually taken in April 2000! So while you're out getting your spring flower photographs, why not take a second look at the trees? After all, they only change colors TWICE a year! Ph... 04/18/2009