Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Smoky Mountains are the most visited mountains in a National Park in the United States of America. In the fall of each year Cades Cove produces an incredible display of leaf color and becomes a "photographer's delight." There are many old cabins and churches in Cades Cove that have been around for over 100 years. Often, there are deer, bear, raccoons, birds of all types, newts, along with other wildlife, in plain view and with little fear of people. Tremont and Laurel Falls has some of the most beautiful waterfalls and cascades that can be seen in the Eastern USA. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is another beautiful and varied area in the Smokies. A common misspelling of the Smoky Mountains is the Smokey Mountains.
Cherohala Skyway
East Tennessee and Western North Carolina are world renowned for their scenic beauty. These are the incredible Appalachian Mountains, a mysterious place of mist and time. You'll never forget! The Great Smoky Mountains, the Cherokee, and Nantahala National Forests all converge to bring a unique environment for photographers. Sweeping vistas of unparalled beauty, high peaks and overlooks, waterfalls, white-water streams and rivers, all give image makers a place to create our own forms of art. The Cherohala Skyway is an exciting place for nature photographers, and other visitors. Back in 1958 at a Kiwanas Club meeting in Tellico Plains, a joke was made that the only roads into North Carolina from Tennessee were the original roads made by settlers taking wagon trains west in the 1800's. An idea was proposed to bring attention to this fact by having a wagon train from Tellico Plains to Robbinsville North Carolina. This was done, and developed into a tradition. Once a year, from that time forward, the wagon train would make its trip. This caught the interest of local and national political leaders. Over forty years later, a 52 mile two-lane blacktop highway was created at the cost of over $100 Million Dollars. On October 12, 1996, the Cherohala Skyway was officially opened.
In April 1997 North Carolina recognized the Skyway by declaring it a "Scenic Byway." Later it became recognized as a "National Scenic Byway." The name Cherohala comes from the combination of two national forest names. The Cherokee and Nantahala National Forest names were combined to form the word Cherohala.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile National Parkway that runs between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. In fact, the Blue Ridge Parkway is really a long, narrow, National Park. The view from the Parkway is protected, and usually runs through national forest areas. From almost the entire parkway you can see up to 25 miles with no visual intrusion by man's creations. Along the parkway you'll find many scenic pulloffs that allow you to view rolling mountain ranges receding into the distance. In the fall, the color can be astounding and very beautiful. Bring plenty of food, film or memory cards, and gasoline, since you'll be "in the wilderness" for a several hour scenic drive. Be sure to buy a book that lists the history and details of each mile marker on the parkway. This will allow you to get the maximum entertainment and education from your scenic drive.
Hunting Island, South Carolina
Hunting Island State Park is one of the most popular state parks and beach
areas in South Carolina, USA. The five-mile pristine white sand beach and warm Atlantic Ocean
make a perfect vacation destination. Camping, the historic lighthouse, a cool lagoon,
a fishing pier, and nature trails gives a family plenty to do while visiting. Or, you can could just relax in the fully equipped campground and read a good book, feed the deer that walk out of the forest for some handouts, or give a cookie to the bold raccoons. Hunting Island is not just another beach; it truly a nature and wildlife paradise.
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