Son John $pencer and Rose drove about 15 minutes to hike in the park close to us. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park in the United States, having 10 million visitors, according to several sources. The Grand Canyon, second in popularity, gets 5 million. I thought $ and Rose were going to the top of Purchase Knob, so I took a photo of it as we came home from our walk. Our house is the tan blob under the tree.
As it turned out, they hiked to the top of Hemphill Bald, which is slightly behind and to the left of Purchase Knob. It was still exciting to me, though, because Rose took a photo that shows buildings that we pass on our morning walk. With his monocular, $ could identify the service station and the church. With a little imagination, I can see them in this picture, too.
I asked Rose for her favorite photo of the day. She had two, and I chose this one. She has an artist’s eye and composes her photos carefully.
Now if people come to visit us and want to hike, we know where to tell them to go. Note, I am not going with them. The trails are well-marked and will provide great exercise with beautiful views.
Mehrling Muse 
I prefer looking at pictures myself!
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I totally agree with you, Kate. Looking at pictures is far better than toiling on a trail.
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Yes and a cookie and a drink is better yet.
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We’ve been drinking a lot now that the weather is hot.
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You are my kind of people!
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Not into hiking? Me too. I would love to think about it but just my lick I would get there and have to be hauled back. lol
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I’ve been on short trails that were called moderate, and I wouldn’t have returned without the aid of husband and grandson. At my age, I should know better.
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Great pictures of the famous Smokey Mountains!
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I need to find the definitive spelling for our mountains. I’ve seen it as Smoky and Smokey.
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You’re having a grand visit with them and being able to enjoy the hikes vicariously with no shortage of breath. The best way I think. Rose does take pretty pictures.
Massive Hugs xxx
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The weather has suddenly gotten hot, so I’m not sorry I’m too old to go hiking with $ and Rose. It’s perfect to look at her pictures and hear their account of a hike.
xxx Picture Perfect Hugs xxx
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It is great to see these pictures and imagine what they saw on their hikes. The green colour of the grass is amazing. I imagined $ looking through his monocular like the captain of a ship. I wish Rose would do video blogs so we could see and hear what she experienced. Her pictures are beautiful.
Susie
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Rose had a video of the campfire that I enjoyed, but I didn’t see any other videos.
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You have the World at your hand or at least a short drive away.
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This area of North Carolina is gorgeous.
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You bet, and I agree.
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Beautiful photographs. I live in flat country though…and mountains seem daunting for hiking.
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Mountain hikes are not for the faint of heart. That’s why I’m enjoying Rose’s photos so much. The wimp’s alternative is to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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The alternative sounds good to me too.
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Great eye, but then the countryside is beautiful out your way, so she had good stuff to work with. Love those shots.
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That’s a wonderful thing about these mountains. The countryside is beautiful, so you don’t have to avoid lots of stuff to get the shot you want. Down here in the valley there are power lines that are often in the way.
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She has a great eye just like you. The landscape makes the soul smile. Their hike must have been amazing!
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Rose and $ are going on another hike tomorrow. I so grateful that Rose voluntarily shares her photos with me. My son doesn’t think of it.
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I love the ones of fences and fields!
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I’ll bet you have equally stunning views in your area. Well, of course, I know that. I’ve seen them in your blog!
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Until I read this post I hadn’t realized that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most popular national park in the U.S. – though I can understand why. It sure is a beautiful place.
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The Smokies are not only beautiful, they are situated among well-populated states. People don’t mind driving a few hours to get there.
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You live in a beautiful area, Anne. Your DIL is a wonderful photographer! I am slightly jealous of her camera skills. We visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park twice when our kids were younger. One of my memories is when my middle son lost his shoe hopping from rock to rock in a stream in the park. His shoe fell off and floated away!
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I’m happy Rose shares her photos with me. She got a wonderful shot of an elk today.
Losing a shoe in a stream would be memorable.
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I’ve never been there, but it looks awesome!
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I hope you get to visit the Smokies some day.
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My folks took their motorcycle on trips across America for many years. My mom would still tell us that the Smokies were the best!
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Your mother is perceptive. I’m glad she loved the Smokies.
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Beautiful, Anne, though I know photos don’t really do it justice.
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