I would highly recommend the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. It's more off the beaten path (in Sea Pines). Unpaved roads to drive on... Also, Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is well worth the trip:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/savannah/ as is Savannah itself (for a different type of wildlife ;-) ).
I'd recommend a couple of hours at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah. It will be beautiful, as the azaleas will be blooming. And, there are photo opportunities everywhere!
http://www.bonaventurehistorical.org/
Another great spot for waterfalls, a little closer to Asheville, is Dupont State Forest.
The key to going up the coast of Maine is getting off of US 1 and driving out onto the peninsulas. Go to the end of any of them and you won't regret it. My favorite is the Pemaquid Peninsula. At the end of it you will find the Pemaquid lighthouse. This is the lighthouse that is on the back of the Maine state quarter. It is also on at least half of the lighthouse calendars that are produced. Go there at sunrise and it is magical for photography. Then hit the Seagull Shop (right next door) for the best blueberry pancakes anywhere. What a way to start the day! ;-)
I'll add another vote for the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. There are many nice spots along it. Also, I'd take the Rich Mountain Road near the back of the Cades Cove Loop. It is beautiful and will get you away from the crowds in Cades Cove. If you are looking for a restaurant, it is hard to beat the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant and the adjacent Apple Barn has the best apple butter anywhere! ;-)
I'd suggest the next peninsula up --- Pemaquid Point. In particular, the lighthouse, New Harbor and Back Cove for interesting wharfs (with lobster traps, boats, etc.). I just left there yesterday (after a week photographing the area).
My first guess would be the auto focus distance setting, as mentioned above. Set it to 6.5m to infinity and see if that solves the problem.
I would certainly check our Bonaventure Cemetery. There are some magnificent headstones there as well as beautiful paths with trees covered in spanish moss.
Make sure to take the boardwalk at Pine Island Park. There is also a lighthouse.