🍂 Fall Colors & Photography in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Experience the stunning, world-renowned spectacle of peak fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This video captures the vibrant transformation of the ancient mountain range, offering a visual feast as the diverse forest changes from deep summer greens to an explosive palette of scarlet reds, glowing oranges, and brilliant golds. 📸 Chasing Light with the Canon R5 Join us as we navigate the park's scenic drives and hidden trails, armed with our Canon R5 mirrorless camera, to capture the fleeting beauty of the season. The exceptional biodiversity of the Smokies, featuring over 100 species of native trees like Sugar Maples, Scarlet Oaks, and Yellow Birch, ensures a long-lasting and dynamic display of color that shifts with elevation. We'll take you on a journey to iconic and secluded photography spots, focusing on capturing the essential elements of the Smokies landscape: Cascading Waterfalls & Streams: Utilizing long exposure techniques, we create a silken flow in the park's numerous waterfalls and pristine mountain streams, beautifully contrasting the rushing white water with the saturated hues of the surrounding foliage. Mountain Landscapes: From high-elevation overlooks like Newfound Gap or along Kuwohi Road (formerly Clingmans Dome Road), we capture vast panoramic views of the "smoky" mountains draped in a blanket of autumn color, often with the characteristic blue haze settling in the valleys. Intimate Forest Details: We dive into the woods to find the smaller, quieter scenes—vivid close-ups of fallen leaves, the textures of moss and bark, and the way the golden-hour sunlight filters through a canopy of crimson and gold especially in Tremont, Elkmont and Greenbrier areas. 🚗 Incredible Drives & Gatlinburg Charm Our adventure includes breathtaking drives that put us right in the heart of the fall spectacle. We’ll cruise along park favorites like the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and portions of Newfound Gap Road, where the roadsides are lined with trees ablaze in color. We’ll also spend time soaking up the atmosphere of the nearby gateway town of Gatlinburg, capturing its unique charm and festive, autumnal décor against the backdrop of the towering mountains. 🍽️ Dining at The Old Mill Restaurant A trip to the Smokies isn't complete without indulging in some authentic Appalachian cuisine. We conclude our memorable day in Pigeon Forge, TN, with a hearty dinner at the historic Old Mill Restaurant. Located next to the iconic 1830 gristmill on the Little Pigeon River, this legendary eatery is famous for its scratch-made Southern favorites, including their signature corn chowder, corn fritters, and delicious country-style dishes like Southern Fried Steak and Pot Roast. It’s the perfect, cozy end to a visually spectacular day in the Great Smoky Mountains. BONUS: Mike gets a 10% Veteran's discount on dinner for both of us. Our Photography Website https://mike-weidman.pixels.com/ Our Photography Instagram / weidmanphotography ** Chapters ** 0:00 Intro 2:05 Tremont Bridge 2:45 Tremont Photography 3:41 Tremont Bridge Photography 4:29 Twin Falls Tremont Photography 5:39 Tremont Institute 6:04 To Sugarlands 6:29 The Sinks 6:38 Sinks Photography 7:34 To Elkmont 7:52 Elkmont Bridge 9:41 Elkmont Drive 9:55 Gatlinburg 10:12 The Old Mill Restaurant 11:06 Sugarlands to Chimney Tops - OUTRO Great Smoky Mountains EPIC Fall Photography - Chapter 1 - Smoky Mountain Gold #smokymountains #fall ** Hi, we're Rhonda and Mike! Welcome to our Grand Adventure! ** We've been living our dream of full-time travel & we are so excited to share it all with you. This channel is like our personal travel diary, filled with fun stories, helpful tips, and everything we learn along the way. We hope our adventures inspire you to chase your own dreams and embark on your very own Grand Adventure! For the best music and sound effects in my content I use Epidemic Sound, sign up for a free trial here. https://share.epidemicsound.com/ym4fo4 FOLLOW US on Instagram and SUBSCRIBE to channel Grand Adventure (Memaw & Pop) / grandadventuremp