Pictures of the Week 2009-10
Hello All,
During the second and third weeks of October we wanted to take a trip to Tennessee to shoot photos of fall colors in the Appalachian Mountains. But, the weather just wouldn‘t cooperate--rain, rain, and more rain! Finally, in the last week of the month it looked like we were going to get a couple days of nice weather. So we packed a bag, grabbed the cameras, jumped in the car and headed for Tennessee.
Our route took us through east Alabama via US highway 72. We have traveled the route numerous times and have noted signs along the way of places that we felt needed checking out. But, we were always on a mission and would put it off to a later date. This trip seemed like a good time to explore a couple of those places. The first was Cathedral Caverns State Park near Woodville, AL.
We followed signs to the park and found it to be in a lovely setting. The grounds were well maintained and beautifully landscaped. Of course the fall colors only added to the ambience.
During the second and third weeks of October we wanted to take a trip to Tennessee to shoot photos of fall colors in the Appalachian Mountains. But, the weather just wouldn‘t cooperate--rain, rain, and more rain! Finally, in the last week of the month it looked like we were going to get a couple days of nice weather. So we packed a bag, grabbed the cameras, jumped in the car and headed for Tennessee.
Our route took us through east Alabama via US highway 72. We have traveled the route numerous times and have noted signs along the way of places that we felt needed checking out. But, we were always on a mission and would put it off to a later date. This trip seemed like a good time to explore a couple of those places. The first was Cathedral Caverns State Park near Woodville, AL.
We followed signs to the park and found it to be in a lovely setting. The grounds were well maintained and beautifully landscaped. Of course the fall colors only added to the ambience.
The first thing you notice about Cathedral
Caverns is the massive entrance. The huge opening measures 126 feet wide and 25
feet high. Since the guided tour through the cave takes an hour and a half we
decided we would do it another time. It would be a good destination on a hot
humid summer day since the temperature in the cave is 60 degrees year round.
Our next stop was Russell Cave
National Monument near Bridgeport, AL. With a mapped length of 7.2 miles,
Russell Cave is the third longest in Alabama.
Like Cathedral Caverns, this cave has an exceptionally large main
entrance and was used as a shelter by prehistoric Indians. Settlement of the
cave began nearly 9,000 years ago by archaic period Native Americans. A natural
spring flows into the cave and travels underground for 1 ½ miles. The
surrounding forest provided food, tools, and fuel for fires. The cave provided
shelter and there was always a source of water flowing into it--an ideal setup
in a primitive sort of way.
You could only go into the large room at the main entrance of the cave. Flooding is common there, as a few inches of rain can make for several feet of water. Russell Cave can flood in a matter of hours and drain just as fast.
You could only go into the large room at the main entrance of the cave. Flooding is common there, as a few inches of rain can make for several feet of water. Russell Cave can flood in a matter of hours and drain just as fast.
Chattanooga, TN, was our base
for exploring the mountains in the area. After a good night’s sleep in a motel
we woke to find it pouring rain outside. So much for our window of nice
weather!! We cooled our heels around town and took in a movie at a local
theater. The next morning the rain had stopped and the clouds were starting to
break up. That boosted our spirits immensely, and after breakfast, we headed
for the mountains.
Our route took us south up US Highway 64 which runs along the Ocoee River. The mountains did not disappoint us. We made many stops at various points around beautiful Lake Ocoee for photo opportunities. Witnessing Mother Nature at work is so rewarding.
Our route took us south up US Highway 64 which runs along the Ocoee River. The mountains did not disappoint us. We made many stops at various points around beautiful Lake Ocoee for photo opportunities. Witnessing Mother Nature at work is so rewarding.
If you look close in the upper
right corner of some of our photos you’ll note a black halo shadow. This is
what happens when you knock a camera off a seat in a restaurant onto a concrete
floor!! The floor wins!!
We then jumped on Tennessee Highway 68 to
Tellico Plains, TN, where we picked up the Cherohala Skyway to go higher up
into the mountains. While we found some good color, we were about two weeks
past peak color in the high country. Unfortunately, most of the leaves had
already fallen. But, what we did find was pretty spectacular.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns