Smoky Mountains Day 2 "Blue Hour Sunset"

Taffy, Junko, and I had a really spectacular day. We decided to go to the highest elevation in the area, Clingman's Dome. We also opted to hike down a trail to Andrew's Bald, which looked on the map like a nice 1.8 mile hike, but it was rather steep and muddy.

Coming back, our knees, legs, and overall exhaustion forced us to make some decisions. Above the entrance to the trail is a wonderful observatory--modern, sleek, and just all around funky in design. Already exhausted, I opted to head on up the steep .5 mile climb to get to the observatory, and it was worth it. My knees say it was really not worth it, but I got this lovely shot.

Junko and Taffy remained down below but got the same views with different results.

We had a spectacular day of photography and friendship. It ended with some bbq, showers, hanging in comfortable clothes while we edit and seek each other's advice--just like on 365, but in person, with hot chocolate, and treats.

Yes, a spectacular day!

[Taffy]

It was fantastic!!! And I'm totally impressed you did the final hike up one more mountainside! Beautiful photo and of course a fav.

[Maggiemae]

So nice to hear! Wish I was with you all, I could manage .5 mile up! This is breathtaking! fav

[Rachel]

This sounds so wonderful, and great that you could all meet up. You must be healing really well. Love this shot, with the layers of colour.

[Annie D]

how wonderful :)

[Junko Y]

FAV FAV FAV! It's a beautiful image and a reminder of a wonderful day together. You are SO impressive in making such a STEEP hike at the end of the other tiring hike!

[Sue Hecker]

Wow! Amazing, and so fun reading about your journey!

[Danette Thompson]

Such an amazing, perfect photo.

[Sally Ings]

The colour and the layers are fabulous. Love the story behind the shot. Always a great time is to be had with other like minded folk.

[Daryl O'Hare]

@888rachel yes healing and so glad. Thx. Wish you were here too. :)

[Elizabeth]

This captures the essence of the Smoky Mountains! Sound like the three of you had a wonderful meet up!

[*lynn]

outstanding shot ...WOW! Fav
Sounds like a super get-together with 365 friends... so interesting to see everyone's photos.

[Pam Knowler]

Stunning layers of blue! What a beautiful image and worth that extra hike! Wow Daryl you are very impressive doing this not long after your surgery! You have made a good recovery! Great story about your day - sounds perfect! Fav!

[katy]

Gorgeous blues, Daryl!!

[Issi Bannerman]

I was thinking about your recent surgery Daryl as I read about your longer-than-planned hike! Good for you. Great photo too.

[Shepherdman's Wife]

fantastic

[Graham Thresher]

Love the layers of blue.

[Newbank Lass]

Oh it sounds AMAZING!!! Enjoy ladies.

[The Intermittent Photographer aka Blue Rose]

Marvellous - definitely worth the effort. Love those deep blues. Fav

[Rita]

I do envy you! What a fab capture and to have great company in person. Well Done all three of you. Your knees will forgive you even if it takes a few days.

[Dianne]

What an effort to get this - and how fabulous it is! Fav

[Graeme Stevens]

awesome shot

[Joan Robillard]

We didn't even attempt that climb and were there in the morning but this is lovely.

[Barb]

Stunning! I love this!

[Joy's Focus]

Fabulous image and blue tones! Fav!

[Julie Duncan]

Am enjoying your hiking/photog pix! Wish I could have been there with you! :)

[Rosco(e) aka my camera]

Amazing shot!

[Allison Maltese]

Fabulous image. I love the blue hues and the soft layered hills.

[Anja]

Beautiful layers and blue hues!

[Rosie Kerr]

Oh, SO worth the hike (says she who didn't have to make it!). Super, fab image. Gorgeous. Fav.

[Bill Fenske]

Wow!

[Denise (lyndemc)]

Oh wow! What a fantastic rainbow of blues these mountains have presented to you. Gorgeously captured.

[Poppo Livy]

Fantastic layers Daryl

[Tom]

Wonderful layers

[Jane Pittenger]

Ooh wow, fav

[Lois Bird]

What a beautiful shot! I love the layers of rich blue colors. fav

[Islandgirl]

Stunning layers!

[Yeshanghai]

Instant FAV. Unbelievable layers.

[☠northy]

Utterly beautiful!

[Kathy Burzynski]

very very pretty!

[Rosan]

Spectacular shot! Sounds like a fabulous day.

[Kim]

I saw this beautiful photo on the PP and knew it was our Great Smoky Mountains; you're in my neck of the woods! :)

[Call me Joe]

❤❤❤

[John Falconer]

Just a fabulous shot. Love it.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Beautiful capture. Fav!

[Gillian]

Wow! Totally spectacular! What a fabulous day you must have had!

[Muriel]

It must have been so wonderful to just look at a view like that. Beautiful capture with all the blue tones and layers.

[Rachel Withey]

Wow - love this with the trees visible in the foreground

[Danny G.]

Spectacular layers, I really love this image. Congrats on PP, fav and it sounds like a wonderful time was had by all!

[Cally]

Again, just beautiful soft layers and such great subtle tones. What a magical time it looks though I suspect from your walk description it was damned hard work - well worth it though.

[Jo]

What a fabulous image. Congrats on TT. fav

[Gillian]

Congrats on TT! Well deserved!

[Gillian]

So interesting to see the variations between yours, Junko's and Taffy's.

[Pam Knowler]

Congrats on TT! So beautiful and well worth that extra climb!

[Islandgirl]

Congrats on TT, this is stunning is the blue tones!
It nice to see all three of your mountain shots on TT this week, how exciting!

[Yeshanghai]

Congratulations on TT!

[Daryl O'Hare]

@jamibann I was so happy my back was mostly healed. A huge relief really. Thanks for thinking of me. Originally, I thought Ibwould be stuck at the cabin being the camp cook. :)

[Amrita]

Wow Daryl! What fun and what a lovely image. Happy to know you have healed and raring to go...
Congrats on the TT

[Gena Pegg]

SO amazing...congrats on TT! FAVING!

[Danny G.]

Congrats on TT

[Corrie]

Congratulations having this wonderful shot on the T20 !!

[John Falconer]

Great shot. Congratulations.

[Doris]

didn't know you were so close to heaven.

[Margo]

Wonderful shot Was a great meet together A FAV

[Jerome]

wonderful shot! So beautiful the transitions of blue tones! And I like the mountains!