The Great Smoky Mountains like you've never seen them (an aerial tour)
Apr 26, 2017 17:21:22 #
Hi Folks, on this trip to the Smokey's I decided I was going to do something I've wanted to do for some time. Photograph them from the air. Our flight was in a six seat Bell helicopter and we lifted off in cloudy conditions at 1pm. The tour took us over Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Wears Valley before returning to base. The flight covered hundreds of miles but only took us 30 minutes. The lighting was awful but eventually cleared by the time we landed. I wished I'd had better light, but it is, what it is and I apologise for the pour image quality. Below are three shots from this trip. If you want to see the entire album, click on the link. It will show some of the fire devastation around Gatlinburg. There are also 3 movies at the end of the album. Sorry but you must have good internet to view them. Hope you enjoy this tour, I shot it with my friends at UHH in mind. When viewing the album, pausing your cursor over the photo makes a photo caption appear. Enjoy...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/james-frazier/albums/72157681004406001
http://www.flickr.com/photos/james-frazier/albums/72157681004406001
The view from Sevierville looking south toward Pigeon Forge
(Download)
Over Gatlinburg Tennessee
(Download)
Clingman's Dome in the distance
(Download)
Apr 26, 2017 17:51:01 #
I sure enjoyed these pictures and the videos, James! 
It was fascinating seeing where the fires were located after hearing about them when they were happening. I feel for those people who lost their homes and cabins. It was interesting to see how the fires jumped around with the resulting brown patches amongst the green - at least that's how it looks. It's a wonder that there wasn't worse devastation.
On the videos, the last one, I found myself leaning in the appropriate direction as the helicopter was making turns on approach to the landing pad! lol!
It was fascinating seeing where the fires were located after hearing about them when they were happening. I feel for those people who lost their homes and cabins. It was interesting to see how the fires jumped around with the resulting brown patches amongst the green - at least that's how it looks. It's a wonder that there wasn't worse devastation.
On the videos, the last one, I found myself leaning in the appropriate direction as the helicopter was making turns on approach to the landing pad! lol!
Apr 26, 2017 18:11:28 #
Hi Cathy, I found myself leaning to when I took that video...he really came in fast. The fires jumped a lot due to hot embers being blown up by the winds. The night the fire approached Gatlinburg, the winds were at their highest. It could have been worse, and folks are thankful of that. Still 14 people died in the fires and that's a scar that will never go away for some. Thanks for looking in, I'm glad to share our area with you. Your area is so very pretty and perhaps more majestic.
Apr 26, 2017 18:30:31 #
Super pics, James, as is the slide show in the link. Excellent production.
Apr 26, 2017 19:30:24 #
Apr 26, 2017 20:29:59 #
Great show, glad you posted them. Thank You. All but the video's. I guess I had too many Huey rides to make these fun., but still...
Ken
Ken
Apr 26, 2017 23:22:04 #
James56 wrote:
Hi Folks, on this trip to the Smokey's I decided I... (show quote)
WOW!! Thanks for the tour James. Beautiful images of a beautiful part of the world.
Apr 27, 2017 06:06:49 #
Thanks for sharing. There is a group of Navy vets that I am part of and most years we stay somewhere in the Great Smokies. Appreciate you showing the damage done by the fires.
Apr 27, 2017 06:15:04 #
Apr 27, 2017 06:47:06 #
Great shots and album James, will have to look at the video when I get back home, internet signal in the hotel is very weak!
Apr 27, 2017 08:01:26 #
Awesome James. The wife and I stayed in Pigeon Forge for the start of our vacation last month. We drove through Gatlinburg over the Smokies It was nice seeing the area from the sky. It added a lot to our experience of the area, especially how big of an area the fire burnt. Thanks for the experience.
Apr 27, 2017 08:05:48 #
Awesome album and videos. Makes me want to get on another helicopter and fly over an active volcano again. And I'm afraid of heights.
Apr 27, 2017 08:20:40 #
Apr 27, 2017 08:21:21 #
Apr 27, 2017 10:48:36 #
James, this is an outstanding presentation. Thanks for sharing. I saw a lot of familiar territory in those shots, but this the first time that I have seen the area from the air.
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