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The Great Smoky Mountains National Park bathed in gold just as the sun is about to set from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains between North Carolina and Virginia. The parkway was constructed to connect the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The resulting thoroughfare is it the longest road planned as a single unit in the United States and the longest linear park. Most any iconic shot of the Smoky Mountains was taken from along this route.

A delicately blooming flower sprouting from a wall of stone along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A delicately blooming flower sprouting from a wall of stone along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Fall colors on display along the many vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Fall colors on display along the many vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We only traveled the final stretch of the parkway from Asheville, North Carolina to the Smoky Mountains but the route was amazing. In traveling to Overland Expo East, we had rushed along free ways. On our return, we lazily wound along the scenic curves and through the classic tunnels of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

While, we pulled aside to admire the fall foliage from many a vista point, the true magic occurred as we approached the end of the route and watched the sun set over the Smoky Mountains. The final striated golden rays breaking across the purpling mountains was only more amazing for the shear serendipity of the moment. We could not have timed it better. The part that compromised the experience was my need to capture it. I had to use my body weight to cement my tripod on the ledge. Massive wind gusts along the exposed mountain side reminded me that a hurricane had just passed through the area. I had to give in to the biting cold once I had lost all feeling in my fingers. Yes, I suffered for these shots so you had better appreciate them.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park bathed in gold just as the sun is about to set from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park bathed in gold just as the sun is about to set from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Sunset over the Smoky Mountains reflected along the body of Dodgy while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Blue Ridge Sunset vision of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Sunset vision of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Once the last light of dusk had faded away, it was time for us to find somewhere to sleep. Fortunately, we found a remaining camping site at the Balsam Mountain Campground in the Smokey Mountains National Park. After all, if you have just returned feeling to your recently frozen fingers, you should pick the campground right next to the “Mile High” vista point.

Impressive rock formations stand out against the brilliant scenery from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Impressive rock formations stand out against the brilliant scenery from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The next morning, we left the campground and returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway for visions of mist still rising with the dawn in the Appalachian Mountains.
The next morning, we left the campground and returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway for visions of mist still rising with the dawn in the Appalachian Mountains.

Lexi lives in a truck camper down by the river.

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