Fall Colors Safety Tip

We love the fall colors as much as anyone and know that many people come and vacation in our area to enjoy the fall beauty. We love the people that we meet from all over the world who spend time here (as far away as Adelaide, Australia – a great conversation in a small sandwich shop here when the couple found out the hu-dad had done some work there many moons ago). But after we show you some of the scenery near our home, we want to offer one note of caution if you vacation here.

On the road through Cataloochee Ranch

Standing on the other side of the ranch near Cataloochee Ski and looking North.

Cataloochee Ski - leaves are changing and the ski resort is just waiting on the snow.

At Cataloochee Ski looking up the mountain.

Our favorite tree in our field - for size reference, see the red team off to the lower left.

Ok, ready for the safety tip? If you are driving around and see one of these many beautiful views, please, please, please – do NOT stop your car in the middle of the road to take the picture. Now, that might sound very basic, but we have had to avoid THREE different stopped drivers taking pictures so far this fall.

Other than that, please – come vacation here. The Herd would love to meet you. Just not by accident.

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27 Comments

  1. Life With Dogs on October 14, 2010 at 12:29 am

    We’re known for our fall foliage. In other words, yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Tourist induced heart attacks!

  2. Maxx on October 13, 2010 at 11:43 pm

    Look at all the colors!
    You really live in a beautiful place!

    Cheers,
    Maxx

  3. siku marie on October 13, 2010 at 7:58 pm

    When you live in Paradise, you just come to expect the touristas to behave like…well, touristas. Your tree is awesome!

  4. Wild Dingo on October 13, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    wow. now i know why you take so many photos of that tree. the mere size is impressive!

  5. NCMountainwoman on October 13, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Same thing happens here of course. Believe it or not I once had to stop suddenly and the person (actually standing OUTSIDE the car for the photo) walked to my car and asked me if directions to Pretty Place. Bad enough when they stop dead to shoot from the window, but outside the car?

  6. Amy / Layla the Malamute on October 13, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    Wow! Those pictures are beautiful. I’m tempted to take a trip there myself. I often take pictures while driving, but I’ll make sure to pull to the side of the road.

  7. Sagira on October 13, 2010 at 6:22 pm

    Really? People just stop in the middle of the road to take pics? That is just crazy!

  8. Kari on October 13, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    so beautiful. We are hiking this weekend πŸ™‚

    Kari
    http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

  9. Huffle Mawson on October 13, 2010 at 5:52 pm

    Mum says she would love to come and see the fall colours, AND meet the Herd. It’s on “the list”.

  10. Holly & Zac on October 13, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    You do live in a really beautiful area. We can understand how dangerous it can be for you sometimes with tourists stopping just anywhere to get the views though.

    Love that huge tree!

  11. Khyra on October 13, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    Thanks fur the PSA!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

  12. Houndstooth on October 13, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    Wow! I can see why people would want to take pictures, there, but I’m pretty surprised they couldn’t manage to pull over to take said photos. I definitely don’t want to read about any of The Herd getting injured over Fall colors!

  13. Ryker on October 13, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Very nice, yup, my mom would stop ing the road too!

  14. Minnie and Mack on October 13, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    The beauty of our country is unbelieveable (and so are the drivers???))

    Thanks for sharing.

    Drools and licks,
    Minnie and Mack

  15. Eva on October 13, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    I did the same thing here in the Rockies – stopped too far out in the road to take a picture of a bull elk bugling! I was so excited! But for leaves, well, they’re not likely to go anywhere, so seems like people could take the time to pull over….

  16. Dennis the Vizsla on October 13, 2010 at 11:25 am

    We were around your parts in early spring many years ago, 1997 I think. Is that pre-Herd?

  17. The OP Pack on October 13, 2010 at 10:53 am

    Great trip, now if only we could figure out how to get there.

    Beautiful photos. We still don’t have very much color.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

  18. Anna the GSD on October 13, 2010 at 10:18 am

    Wow! The leaves have really turned since we were near your neck of the woods!! We saw peoples stop too…some peoples were on motorcycles stopping on the Linville Viaduct…NOT a good place!!

    Just think! Soon you’ll have snows!!

  19. Shawnee the Shepherd on October 13, 2010 at 9:38 am

    The hoomans stop they cars in the middle of the road to see fall colors? OMD, how silly is that? If’n they would get on the trails and hike, they would see much more and much more safely. No worries, if’n we come there you be running smack into us on the hiking trails, not the roads, k?

  20. norwood on October 13, 2010 at 8:59 am

    That would be a tip for mom… well.. does it count if I stop to pee on a pile of leaves or colorful tree?
    norwood

  21. KB on October 13, 2010 at 8:56 am

    I love the reds in your trees. I learned a new word for that color the other day “sienna” – a pretty word, heh?

    We have similar problems here. My husband likes to say that we’re lucky to live someplace that makes people halt in their tracks to take photos. But, it is VERY dangerous on windy mountain roads!

  22. Lisa on October 13, 2010 at 8:20 am

    Beautiful photos! Loving the Autumn colours! Can understand why people want to stop and take photos! πŸ™‚
    Kodi x

  23. Clive on October 13, 2010 at 7:38 am

    Fabulous photos and a timely reminder to tourists to take care!

  24. Khumbu on October 13, 2010 at 6:34 am

    woooo certainly looks beautiful. Stay safe from the silly stopped cars.

    Khumbu

  25. Martha and Bailey on October 13, 2010 at 5:55 am

    ps we meant to add that drivers are always stopping in the middle of the road in Scotland too…..well tourists! Very annoying/dangerous!

  26. Martha and Bailey on October 13, 2010 at 5:53 am

    Beautiful! Do you know how old your favourite tree is?
    Looks like it has been there for quite some time.
    We love the autumn colours.
    xx

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