THIS PAGE: Location: Blue Ridge Parkway south of Tye River Gap in Virginia. From the photographer: " The beauty of the location surprised me. There were no trails nearby. The photo opportunity demanded that I sacrifice my warm feet to the chill of the running stream. My boots were not tall enough to keep the water out-a small price to pay to capture the elegance that the stream and its surroundings freely provided. " Photo by Sam Wilds OPENER PAGE: Flowing north through Tremont for six miles, the Little River's Middle Prong is formed by the confluence of Lynn Camp Prong and Thunderhead Prong, and offers scenic solitude along its colorful shores. From the photographer: " Great Smoky Mountains is America's most visited national park, and escaping the crowds to enjoy the park's natural beauty can be a challenge. With proper timing, however, seclusion does exist. " Photo by J. Scott Graham 40 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COMhttp://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM