Sometimes the SIM is a wonderful device to divert our mind, albeit briefly, from these troubled times...Today, as I was flying over the Smoky Mountains in MSFS2020, recalling my many trips to that region, the 80s/90s felt so different. For several years, I used to visit the Smokies once every year, including one memorable (winter wonderland) trip during Christmas time. After navigating the mountainous (country) roads, perfectly cleaned and salted, but with layers of fresh/white snow on either side and on the trees, I'd reached Gatlinburg, late (very late) in the night. Those were the days you had to call-in to reserve your (hotel) accommodation (internet-based transactions were still in the infancy...🙂...). The destination was a Mom-and-Pop business type Motel 8 in the heart of Gatlinburg (familiar from a past trip). When we'd called en-route to indicate late arrival, the owner couple had told us, "Don't worry. We'll leave the Porch Light on. Just knock on the Office door." Something was clearly very different (and simple) about those days...

Anyway, I've been a passionate fan of all mountain ranges, small or big, having once witnessed the incomparable Himalayas, in Nepal. The Smokies Range has always appealed to me because of that mysterious and ancient look it has (the name derived from the blue mist that floats above the peaks of the mountains, see shots below). I've explored most of the scenic roadways and byways in that region (on the ground). But, from the sky, it all looks quite different, an entirely new (and unique) perspective, which brings out its amazing structural features, and the rugged beauty of its close-knit mountains in full glory.

BTW, many here would recall the first release of the (Orbx) PNW (on P3D/FSX), which was a trend-setter scenery of its time. However, as I'd waited a long time, for Orbx to migrate eastward to the Midwest and Mideast regions...🙂..., such as these Smokies, it never came to fruition...until this default scenery here did it for me today. Please find a set of 12 images, below, as I've traversed the virtual skies from McGhee Tyson Airport (KTYS), in Knoxville, Tennessee, (headed southeast) towards Asheville Regional (KAVL), in Asheville, North Carolina, a distance of ~80 miles...over the unforgettable Great Smokies...

Thanks for viewing. Hope you enjoy.

Edited October 26, 20232 yr by P_7878

Nice shots ending with sunset! 😉 

Enjoyed your shots. Enjoyed your commentary even more.

Beautiful set and scenery around !

cheers 😉

Superb images, P_7878 and like John already said, I also enjoyed your commentary even more. Keep them coming 🙂

Btw, just in case you are not aware of it, once you have explored MSFS a bit more and look for suitable add-ons, there is a huge freeware offer for all parts of the world available over at flightsim.to. For PNG alone I have installed over 120 free airstrips, and just now also ORBX has come out with its first (payware) collection of nicely detailed airstrips at a reasonable price.

Edited October 27, 20232 yr by bernd1151

All: Greatly appreciated your feedback and interest....🙂...!

 

16 hours ago, bernd1151 said:

Superb images, P_7878 and like John already said, I also enjoyed your commentary even more. Keep them coming 🙂

Btw, just in case you are not aware of it, once you have explored MSFS a bit more and look for suitable add-ons, there is a huge freeware offer for all parts of the world available over at flightsim.to. For PNG alone I have installed over 120 free airstrips, and just now also ORBX has come out with its first (payware) collection of nicely detailed airstrips at a reasonable price.

Bernd: Advice well-taken from a "Pro"...🙂 ...Yes, scenery supplements, especially free, will be my first priority once I take stock of what the default has to offer... (Aircraft will come only later...especially because of the limitations on Xbox). Thank you.