Brisbane, QLD


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

LAUREL FALLS, SMOKY MNTS TENNESSEE

Continuing my diary from our trip to USA in November.

Monday 17/11/14

We have had such bad luck with the weather. Apparently an arctic vortex has descended on USA and caused temperatures to plummet in most of the country. We haven't been spared. The temperature has barely risen above freezing for three days since we have been here. This hasn't stopped us trying to sight see and enjoy ourselves.

Today we set off to visit Cades Cove. It was wet and cold but we persevered. On the way we stopped at the pull out for Laurel Falls. We walked a few miles through the most enchanting forest with a floor covering of orange and red leaves all shapes and sizes.The trees made artistic designs with their bare branches. Tiny flakes of snow floated down. We got warm walking until we pulled out a bare hand to take a photo. Soon we reached the falls tumbling and cascading over wet slippery rocks. It was very pretty.
We walked up and up through the woods from the car park. The trees looked eerie. Our forests only look like this when a bushfire has been through but we never have a carpet of leaves like this in Queensland. It was beautiful.

 Then we arrived at the falls First we saw the lower Laurel Falls and then....

.......the upper falls.

We walked across the falls and clambered through the trees to try and get both upper and lower falls to fit into the camera lens.

It was cold taking my hand out of the glove so as to use my camera. It was an easy walk back down to the car park, with our feet crunching through the leaves. 
 We piled into the car and and drove past some interesting sites.

 We passed Meigs Falls Waterfall on the roadside. 

and a fast moving stream. Then it was on to Cades Cove.

28 comments:

  1. Although the weather was a challenge for you, I'm glad you managed to get out and about and share these photos which are beautiful.

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  2. Looks beautiful. Hate to say it looks similar to parts of England - but bigger..!

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  3. Looks like you enjoyed yourself despite the very cold weather! Welcome back to hot, humid home!

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  4. Even as a person from Australia's Mexican region it is hard to imagine such cold but how beautiful is the scenery.

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  5. Diane, so sorry the weather was so bad during your visit. It does not look like the weather stopped you from seeing the sights. The waterfalls are all beautiful and I love the deer. Thanks for sharing your trip, have a happy day!

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  6. The falls are fantastic - but I really love the textures, colours and lines in your first shot! The whole scene makes me realise what a fair weather traveller I am!

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  7. To bad the weather was so cold, that is something you can't predict. But you made nevertheless the best of it and saw some magnificent waterfalls.

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  8. I remember how cold you thought Canberra was. The falls reminded me of Sogeri and the Rauna falls-the spelling is probably wrong there.

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  9. I never thought about never seeing Autumn leaves piled up ...that's a great reason for you to have made this trip in Fall. Too bad this was the coldest Autumn ever though! You look intrepid...glad you didn't let it stop you.

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  10. You are good on those waterfalls.

    A whole forest of autumn leaves. Yum

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  11. Lovely photos Diane, the falls look good, you did well.

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  12. I thought about you when they were having such cold weather back there. Couldn't do anything to help you....but my thoughts were there. :)

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  13. i'm glad you had some new experiences (fallen leaves and the woods) but sorry about the bitter cold that came during your visit!

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  14. Sorry we couldn't arrange better weather for the time you spent in the US. You did get to see some beautiful places though, and hopefully your car had a good heater to warm you up between stops.

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  15. Sounds like you had a wonderful time despite the cold weather Diane, you are so good to get out there and explore whatever! You were lucky the waterfalls were flowing and not frozen by the sound of it ! Beautiful captures of your adventures.

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  16. Beautiful waterfall shots Mum! And the forest too. I felt like I was with you xxx

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  17. Love the shots of the waterfall very nice, and I complain about it being cold here during winter but it doesn't get that cold here

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  18. Your photos of woods and falls are gorgeous. It looks damp and cold there!

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  19. What a lovely walk and so fun to see things that we see often through the eyes of someone who lives where the landscape is so different!

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  20. You got some beautiful pictures of Laurel Falls. That's a very pretty waterfall with a nice hike. I'm glad you were able to enjoy the beauty even with the cold temperatures.

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  21. Your waterfall shots are lovely. I'm sure the bare trees and autumn leaves just added to the experience for you. Maybe the cold did, too, I wouldn't be too sure about that.

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  22. You have had quite an adventure - a very cold one! It does indeed look like a post bushfire scene. I really like having green and flowers surroundings all year long.....

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  23. I'm still just SICK about the weather while you all were here... It has not been cold much at all since you left.... Crazy, huh???? Glad you did get to see 'some' of our Smokies though. You got some good pictures of Laurel Falls.. The next waterfall you pictured is named Meigs Falls. That is such a pretty drive by the river toward Cades Cove. Great pictures, Diane.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Thanks, Betsy, for the name of the second waterfall.

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  24. So sorry your USA Thanksgiving adventure had to be a very cold one. But sounds like you didn't let that stop you and you certainly got some great photos. I've felt a bit guilty as Utah has enjoyed an unusually warm and snow free November and December and no one is complaining except the ski resorts!

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  25. The falls look very pretty pity it was so cold though. Bet you are happy to be home in warmer temperatures. Despite it all, it sounds like you made the best of your trip. T'other Diane

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  26. That polar vortex was very cold, Diane--I'm sorry it hit when you were visiting the south! Your photos are beautiful though, and Now I'm sure you really appreciate Australia's mild climate!

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