The Blue Ridge Parkway in the Fall





October 13, 2009
We enjoyed our coffee walking around checking out the waterfall and rocks.We got back on the Blue ridge at mile marker 300 near Grandfather Mountain. The leaves are breath taking with yellows, reds, oranges all with a slight burnt look that shines in the peeks of sunshine. The overlooks provide vistas that are breathtaking. Pockets of clouds in the valleys, sunshine on the hillsides with the colored leaves jumping out at the viewer. Wow!

Met a couple from Virginia who ran away from their home farm leaving it to the kids to tend. This is their first trip in thirty years and they don’t have to be back at any certain time so they are enjoying day by day.

The tunnel along the Blue ridge Parkway are spectacular; their arches are of cut stone and passing thru you can look about and see the chipped stone walls. There are no stop signs or traffic signals along this beautiful stretch of highway lined with archways of trees, visitas that are awe inspiring, trails that lead off into the underbrush, gravel roads that take off to places unknown. There are a few homes of businesses just off the road to enjoy, like the Apple orchard at Atlas Pass.

We breakfasted at Deer Lick Gap; didn’t see any deer, but a nice view out over treetops. Then we drove up Mt. Mitchelle, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The fog blew. It was like being at the top of mountain waiting for a ski lift, Will said. We hiked up to the top then hiked though the old growth forest and was surprised by all the moss. It felt old and yet breathing in deeply the balsam pine smell was fresh and filled your soul with energy. Lichen grew: horse hair, goats beard; they say some is thousands of years old.

Back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was created in the Depressions days back in the 30’s. It was the nation’s first rural parkway; it is the nations longest parkway stretching 469 miles. The panoramic vistas are so wonderful!

The candy apple red berries of the sycamore along the road are like the Chinese red leaves of the ocotillos in the desert, bright and eye catching. The tapestry of color, exquisite. Rock walls crying tears of joy that winter will be here soon.

Got off on route 694 and headed in to Ashville. Windy road with big beautiful homes, even a castle! With minuets and steeples and all. Thru Ashville and on to the interstate for a bit before getting off on route 19/23 south into Georgia.










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