Smoky Mountains 2010, entry 2

My very talented husband Steve is the one who 'works' on our vacations, taking photos of all the beautiful sights, creating a visual notebook of the trip. I'm the journaler.

I think I have an easier gig—hauling a heavy pack with lenses, filters, camera and tripod on some of the trails we hike isn't pleasant. This year, Rosie began to show evidence that she has the same artistic eye as her dad, by scouting locations for him to shoot—and for an 11-year-old she did a heckuva job.

Photos, top to bottom:

Porter's Creek
The snake Steve almost stepped on, if Rosie hadn't spotted it
The salamander Rosie found in Porter's Creek
Midnight Hole, along Big Creek on North Carolina side of Park
Wild Geranium
Ferns trailside
Purple Phacelia
Laurel Creek cascades
Rosie, modeling her wild woodland gyspy look
A carpet of phlox in White Oak Sinks

Smoky Mountains 2010, entry 1

One of our favorite places is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we go there each year during the Wildflower Pilgrimage. This year marks the 60th year for the event. No matter how many times we go, we always find something new. This year, we found our first Shooting Star and Yellow Lady's Slipper in the Park.

Photos top to bottom:
Fields of wild blue phlox in White Oak Sinks
Shooting Star
Wild blue phlox up close
Yellow Lady's Slipper
Baby bear
Mamma bear
Big Creek (North Carolina)