Just been to the Great Smoky Mountains for a fall break.This year with the temperatures still not dropping at this time in October we weren’t expecting colors to be seen yet.But we were pleasantly surprised to see most of the trees change color at higher elevations.We chose to drive along the CHEROHALA Skyway which is one of the National Scenic Byways.It starts in Robbinsville,NC and ends in Tellico Plains,TN.It gets its name from two forests Cherokee and Nantahala .The drive is just above 40 miles but with the winding roads and spectacular views it would take easily more than an hour to cover it and its truly worth it.
The drive begins with wider roads and gets narrower as you travel across.It is also a biker’s paradise,had seen a lot of them.It feels like cars actually share the road here with Bikes and its also fun watching the Bikes zipping past you.
The color standing out the most was red,somewhat closer to pink.There were yellows too and that along with the evergreens is certainly something to be seen and appreciated.There are quite a number of overlooks too where you can just park your car and savor the beauty of the hues for a while.Coming to speak of savoring there are some picnic benches too along the Skyway where you can stop and grab a bite.
The best thing about this drive is that its not very crowded where there are people waiting for you to move aside so that they can take pictures.There is room for everyone.And at end of the drive you’ll arrive at Tellico Plains in Tennessee which is a small town with some places to eat and shop.
Cherohala Skyway
Winding roads of Cherohala Skyway
Colors along Cherohala Skyway
Lost Sea Adventure
About 30 minutes from Tellico Plains where Cherohala Skyway ends you will find Caverns with the worlds 2nd largest underground lake called Lost Sea Adventure, Inside the caverns is a big room in which the Native Americans used to have meetings long ago.It has been put to many uses since then including the only underground in cavern Pub and bar serving Moonshine during the prohibition time with live music.You have a short boat ride too in the 2nd largest underground lake at the bottom of the caverns.
Scenic drives
The next day we planned to visit Bridal Veil falls in Nantahala forest,NC.We started from Franklin,NC and took US 64(Highlands Rd).It’s a two-lane road with overlooks to stop your car and enjoy the views.The drive feels good because you can see the trees right beside you and not at a higher elevation.There’s a river flowing on one side of the road and I tell you we could capture some of the best pictures of the river and the reflection of the trees in the water.En route to Bridal Veil falls there is another falls called Dry Falls.You can take the stairs to the end of the falls and walk behind the falls or just watch the falls from above.The feeling of the cool water sprinkling on the skin is very refreshing.After spending some time at Dry Falls we continued to Bridal Veil falls which is just about a 10 min drive from Dry Falls.As the name suggests the water falls like a thin sheet from the rock above.You can walk or even drive your car behind the falls.
Overall the experience was great as always, the Smokies for me is an awe-inspiring place, a place for all seasons and more a fall destination.Do get out and enjoy the drives, falls, and vistas that the Smokies provide in Fall.
Highlands Rd to Dry Falls
A stopover en route to Dry Falls
Some moments at the river
The Sun peeping out of the trees
Dry Falls
Bridal Veil falls
--Swathi
