Our 2008 vacation was a modest one, a few days in a cabin in Franklin, Tennessee, with local excursions. The mountains were nice, but our photos were modest -- overcast days significantly reduce the sparkle of outdoor photos, and we dealt with clouds and occasional drizzle two of our three full days around Franklin.
We had fun.
We mined for rubies at Sheffield Mine, with a fair measure of success. Allison found a star ruby, which we had professionally cut.
We rode the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The scenery had its highlights, but the ride did not compare to Cass. I didn't photograph the locomotive because it was an ordinary diesel. The route was an old commercial route, so it went between the mountains rather than up them. The line includes two tunnels -- one on the excursion route out of Dillsboro and one on an unused route. From Bryson City to Nantahala, the route we rode, the train offered a nice view of Fontana Lake, some imposingly narrow grade cuts, and an attractive terminus where the kayakers and rafters roam.
The most interesting element of the train excursion was our visit to the Smoky Mountain Trains Model Railroading Museum in Bryson City. The museum houses a fabulous diorama featuring a diverse range of Lionel trains, but also including a little gristmill whose waterwheel turns, a fire department fighting a small blaze, model bears on the model mountain, and dozen of other delightfully detailed features. I strongly recommend a visit!
The waterfall picture is from the road between Franklin and Highlands. A mountain stream roared beside the road, but the narrow busy road left far too few opportunities for exploration and picture taking. (It was like taking the Blue Ridge Parkway with no turnouts and lots of truck traffic!) Carolyn managed a few good pictures, with this one a highlight.
*****