Thank you so much for this! Tennessee is on my top ten list of the most beautiful states.
Here are a few more pictures of autumn in Tenessee....
Posted on 09/05/2003 5:51:20 AM PDT by Mama_Bear
In October, Interstate Highway 81, between exits 12 at Morristown and 63 at Kingsport is the most beautiful fifty mile stretch of interstate in America. The coloration of the trees is a magnificent and ever-changing spectacle.
While the maples with many colors varying from brilliant gold to bright red are the favorite of many, the hickories are the unrivaled champs of color. The Hickories turn a magnificent gold and achieve massive size. The brilliance of the golden colored hickory leaves set off against the black trunks and branches eclipses all other trees along the way.
People love to take drives to see the trees, but there other beautiful and colorful plants besides trees visible from a car seat. The sumac plant grows in low clumps on the roadside and along fence rows in striking red to coral color that rivals the maple trees in brilliance. The Virginia creeper vine grows up trees and forms large masses of coppery orange color mixed with the colors of the tree leaves. Although a tree, the dogwoods are small and show distinctive red coloration in the road side under story. The evergreen eastern red cedars serve a colorful function by providing a dark green background for the splashes of reds and yellows of small deciduous trees.
A connoisseur of fall foliage knows that although woodland landscapes provide a visual patchwork of varying colors, the truly spectacular displays are mature individual trees standing alone in a pasture or near the edge of a farmers woodlot. Such specimens are not restrained by other nearby trees and achieve the characteristic shape for the species. When able to grow in to the shape typical for the species, an individual tree achieves the optimum number and placement of leaves and provides the best display of colorful foliage. The finest color is to be found in the lone specimens.
The East Tennessee Valley between I 81 exits 12 and 63 is able to achieve the spectacular color because of the topography and the elevation. The road lies in a valley between mountains and low ridges. In summer, the ridges and mountainsides often display wisps of mists and clouds characteristic of the Smokey Mountains a few miles to the south. The road runs in a Nor easterly/southwesterly direction and the sunlight is constant throughout the day. The combination of moisture and sunlight produces lots of leaves. Unlike the higher mountains where the leaves at high elevations fade before those in the valley, the elevations along I 81 are such that all the leaves turn together. The result is spectacular vistas and individual trees close at hand. It is possible to optimize the optimum. The best views are on a sunny late afternoon along the twenty mile stretch between mile marker 32 and 52. The views of Fodderstack and Chimneytop mountains are setoff against the woodlots and roadside. Travel should be in a northerly direction with the late afternoon sun at your back.
Don't believe it?....... Come see for yourself!
Glad you enjoyed our visit to Tennessee. It is a beautiful state. On one of our trips across country when I was a kid, we drove through the Smoky Mountains and down into Nashville. I remember thinking how pretty and lush and green everything was. I'd love to go back again.
Lori! You did it again! My favorite state and favorite place to go to is my dad's home state of Tennessee. In fact he was born in Limestone. near were Davey Crockett was born and raised. One of the places my dad lived with his parents and siblings was the Davy Crockett birthplace, but that was the 1930's, before it was made into a national monument and park.
east Tennessee is a most beautiful place to be and a special place for me. I still have relatives who live there. including a cousin who lives in Knoxville.
Thanks, Lori, for featuring this lovely state of Tennessee.
I've seen it!
Thank you so much for this! Tennessee is on my top ten list of the most beautiful states.
Here are a few more pictures of autumn in Tenessee....
I really did enjoy putting this state post together. But then, I enjoy every state once I start doing some research into the history and the geography. Each state has it's own "color" and appeal, and Tennessee is one of the most beautiful. It has been many, many years since I was there, I would love to visit again.
One of the nice things about presenting the states is hearing from those, like you, who have special memories of times spent there.
Pippin hugs for (((((((((you))))))))))
Have a great day.
Today is the first day with all 3 of my little ones back at school. :(
I have a whopping 1.5 hours to myself before I go and pick everyone up.
I love the state of Tennessee and have visited most of the places you mentioned.
This picture was taken on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail above Gatlinburg last spring after the rains.
Have I missed that with other posts or is that new?
Tennessee is absolutely beautiful. My favorite was the caverns:
LOL! Gosh, I hope you make good use of that hour and half. I can tell you how I would use it if I had three small kids at home......taking a nap!
G'morning, Calpernia.
Yes, I love that Bassett Hound graphic that Billie made. It's one of my favorites.
Good morning, Billie.
The countryside is now lush, the biomass is as large as it can be. The leaves this October should be stunning.
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