Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Long Way Home: Foothills Parkway & Look Rock

 

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This morning we got up and headed out super early – we were planning to drive through Cades Cove and take the long way home down the Foothills Parkway.

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We saw the sun rising over the mountains.  So beautiful!  Wish we were staying longer!

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We saw a bear at Cades Cove!!!

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We took Rich Mountain Road out of the park.  Neither of us had ever been this way before – it is a winding mountain road that comes out in Townsend, near the Foothills Parkway.  There was a gorgeous overlook!

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We finally made it to the Foothills Parkway.  The fall colors were definitely peaking – the reds and oranges were so bright.  It was beautiful!

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We made it to the Look Rock parking lot and hiked up to the observation tower (~0.3 miles).  Spectacular views of Maryville on one side and the Smoky Mountains on the other side.

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Look Rock was the Grand Finale of our beautiful autumn weekend. After we left, we made a quick stop in Tellico (to see Tincie, who had to be hospitalized last week after a stroke!), then we went on to Chattanooga to meet my family for a mid-day meal at Souper Salad, and then on to Tuscaloosa. Whew!

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