These photos were taken in Cades Cove, Smoky Mountains National Park (just outside Townsend, Tennessee). Cades Cove is an 11-mile one way loop for vehicles, foot traffic, and bicycles.

Check with the Park Service Web page to get expected dates of peak colors and times when the loop is open. The loop closes at dusk every evening - check the web page for opening times. At least one day a week the opening is delayed for bike and foot traffic.

Special thanks to my husband, Rick, for patiently driving me along the Loop, stopping when ... (more)