jdventer Loc: Wallingford, CT, USA

I plan on driving down I-81 to Shenandoah NP then later in the week driving to Gatlinburg to spend the better part of a week in SNP. Thanks for the ideas and the encouragement.

drspears Loc: Columbus, IN

Bill Campbell and Nye Simmons’ "The Smoky Mountains Photographer’s Guide" is full of detailed information on exactly where the best vistas and views in the park are – and includes suggestions on when to photograph them.

I have this book and I just checked Amazon.com for it and they are asking an outrageous price of $109.00 for a book which has a price of $17.88 printed on it's rear cover. You can obtain copy from Great Smoky Mountain Nation Park serice center for $17.88

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

don't forget to photograph Dolly Parton's blue ridge mountains. :thumbup: :oops:

jdventer Loc: Wallingford, CT, USA

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/01/31/3825179/work-beings-on-mountain-landslide.html

"But, park officials say, it probably will be sometime between mid-May and early June before a section of U.S. 441, also known as Newfound Gap Road, can be reopened."

Thanks for the heads-up. Since I'll be there in April I'll have to plan around it.

granpa steve Loc: north fort myers, fl

as many have stated gods most beautiful spot on earth. i have been from beginng to end, both ways. i think the best time though is late spring or early summer. when it get down on the long hot swfl summers i put an old vhs tape i have had a long time of all four seasons in the smokies. perks me up, but then get home sick to be there. take lots of photo equipment, batt. cards etc. you will need many more trips there to even scratch the surface.

drspears Loc: Columbus, IN

Here's another pic of the landslide that took out part of Newfound Gap Road (US 441) in the Great Smoky Mountains on the NC side - it's the length of a football field. More details: http://www.romanticasheville.com/great_smoky_mountains_news.htm


Go to web site above to see photos.


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2500HD Loc: Altavista, Virginia

Do have particular topics in mind or are you looking for insight as to what topics may be available in those areas,,,meaning mills, waterfalls, landscape, birds, historical, covered bridges, etc.

Irish Piper

While on the Parkway between the two parks, most of the time you'll be shooting west as this overlooks the Shenandoah Valley. Hopefully you'll be there after a good rain as this will wash the pollution out of the air. Near sundown, there are deer grazing alongside the road, and they are not afaid of cars or people.

pigpen

Shenandoah National Park is nice, but we prefer the Smokies. The road through Shenandoah is Skyline Drive, and it is slow going (approx 100 miles). There is a spot half way down where you can exit/enter the park. There are waterfalls in Shenandoah, but I think the ones in the Smokies are better. We usually stay in Gatlinburg, as Pigeon Forge can get very crowded. Great restaurant in Pigeon Forge, The Old Mill, near Dollywood. I call Pigeon Forge "Las Vegas for children". There are MANY things to do there, such as indoor skydiving. We usually stay at the River's Edge hotel in Gatlinburg. Make sure you ask for a room facing town, and high up. It's a great view of town. Also, outside of town, We've stayed at Lady Attebellums cabins, about half way between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. There is a microbrew in Gatlinburg called the Smoky Mountain Brewery (also one in Pigeon Forge). It has great beer and really good food. Calhoun's is a good place for BBQ. If you don't stay at a place within walking distance to "downtown" Gatlinburg, parking can be an issue. Cades Cove is the most popular loop in the park. That is probably your best chance at black bear. Don't look for bears, look for a bunch of stopped cars. You will probably see mule deer and a lot of turkeys as well. Even though Cades Cove is the most popular, the other drives throughout the park offer lovely scenery as well, and can be a little less crowded.

Part of the park falls in NC. If you go to Cherokee, there is a small Elk herd there. Also, there are a couple of nice waterfall in the NC part. All of these were taken somewhere in the park.

jdventer Loc: Wallingford, CT, USA

Love the waterfall photo. Thanks for the advice.

SANDYB Loc: HOLDEN BEACH, NC

When you get to Roanoke, VA Maybry Mill is close by on the Parkway near Meadows of Dan. You will not be far from Fancy Gap Mountain where the Parkway runs through. My husband grew up there and his mother and father still lives there. There is a great place to stay near Fancy Gap at Ground Hog Mountain. They have small cabins for rent and great photo opportunities of the mountains. I've lived there all my life, until 3 years ago when I moved to Holden Beach, NC. I still miss the mountains, especially when I see you all talking about it on here. We used to get on the parkway on Sunday's for family picnics. Hope you have lots of fun and be sure to share your pics with us!!!!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

There are so many things to see from waterfalls to flora. You'll want to be able to take photos of flowers and smaller things, too, so take scomething capable of focusing on small things. Shots of the Smokies should be gorgeous. Be sure to spend time at Cades Cove, preferably in morning or evening light at some of the locations.

Watch out for the bears. Get a shot if you can, but don't get caught.

jdventer Loc: Wallingford, CT, USA

I don't have any particular topics in mind. Hoping to find things less photographed. While I do photograph wide vistas I seem to be better at photographing less noticed details.

jdventer Loc: Wallingford, CT, USA

I'm hoping to get some good spring flower photos if my timing is right.

ceallachain Loc: Cape May, NJ

I'll second the snakes lookout. I have hiked all over the country; CO, MT, WA, UT, Idaho, MA, NH, NJ, NY and VA. Only in Shenandoah did I encounter snakes. Rattlers. If you've never heard one of these guys rattle your in for a surprise as to their loudness. I certainly was. I got the hell out of the area pretty quick.