Blue Ridge blog

Leaf Litter

I don't necessarily love this photo, but ya gotta respect how pretty a little bit of blue sky reflected upon oily water sprinkled with leaf litter can be...

The Final Tear

Peedab and all his wiggles came to visit me. So my big brother, his blushing bride, and I packed up Peedab and went for a hike at Linville Falls. Peedab happily rode on his father's back. He was tucked away in a pack which had a splendid view of a balding head ridge line and of everything about 4 inches above that. We soaked in the sunshine and made many family photos. We merrily hiked back to the visitor's center when Peedab's mom and I heard an scary noise. It sounded exactly like...ummmm, how do I say this? It sounded just like wood hitting a baby's head. Ouch. Apparently my brother didn't correctly gauge the overhead clearance on the trail... This is a photo of the final tear.

North Carolina Autumn Color

I was standing in the same spot that Hugh Morton made famous in his summertime Linn Cove viaduct shot. 
(just scroll down)

The leaves aren't great this year. Heck, they aren't even good. Yet I submit that the most miserable autumn day is better on top of the mountain than anywhere else. I did find local spots of respectable color today. I saw a bunch of great oranges and reds at Linville Falls. Also, the Parkway near Grandfather Mountain has some blaze as well. Stack Rock, Rough Ridge and Boone Fork should provide you a quick autumn hiking fix. I also saw beautiful color up on 7 Devils. Tomorrow I venture north to Rich Mountain and Elk Knob...

Football--Appalachian Style

So I reckon it helps to have God on your sideline during a football game. And if it can't be God, then maybe have someone really really close to him, like maybe Franklin Graham ( son of Billy ) to stand near. It worked because the Mountaineers of
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPANKED SOUTHERN GEORGIA!

I took this photo of my friend Rob's daughter just before the game. I teased him and said that she would be the only one sleeping in the stadium during the game. Little did I know that the GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES would also be asleep during the game. Sheesh. And Southern Fried Football picked this game the one to be at on Saturday. Oh, did I mention that APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPANKED GEORGIA SOUTHERN.

This is the Not-So-Nice People's barn. I parked my car across the street to take this autumn photo for you.   

     My job often leads me on surreal journies...where it is possible that I witness extremes in human behavior in a matter of mere seconds. I've learned to quickly adjust, but sometimes it is difficult.
     My favorite moment yesterday was sipping chai tea and learning niblets of Swahili from a Rwandan and a Burundian war refugee. Their survival stories of war in Africa and resulting love of wamama (women) , their love of all watoto (children) , and the particular caring for the unwanted Watwa -or pygmy children,  were still wrapped up in my brain while I was on my way home and stopped at the grocery.
     I saw three well-dressed women pushing one cart and giggling up an aisle. Clearly they were leaf-lookers on a hunt for eats to fill their weekend cabin. “Look!” said one lady as she pointed to jars of Penrose Pickled Eggs,  “It’s Hillbillly caviar.”  Her friend pointed to a jar of Penrose Sausages and then said,  "And those must be Hillbilly hors d’oeuvres." I may have thought those comments were humerous if I had not heard the high hatting tone in their voices...

Girl Gone Gardening tagged me with this meme: And yes I know, it is all about me...

A Lift

The fog lifts upon the fields and trees along Brookshire Rd.

I realized last night that there are now 11 Boone Area Bloggers that I know about. I made a special spot for them on my sidebar. Just think...two years ago, I was the only one that I knew who blogged. Recently Fred wrote about blogs as a beacon of light reaching out towards far distant galaxies. For me, my blog has reached a heck of a lot farther than I ever dreamed possible. Cool.

The apparition of a leaf

Upon returning home from a late evening party at the Board of Elections I experienced a spider-y October sensation. It is bad enough that I had to fight the cobwebs in my home this week, but to see a leaf suspended in air by an invisible silky thread just gives me the willies. I stopped my Jeep and flashed the scene a couple of times. I heard rustling in the woods. The forrest zombies were coming to get me. I jumped back into the jeep. Locked all the doors and threw gravels from beneath my tires as I sped safely home. It wasn't until today that I viewed this image and saw that the leaf is haunted indeed.

If'n I was a leaf...

If'n I was a leaf, I would be the rusty golden gal upon the mighty oak tree.
Just call me Quercus, why don't cha.
The imperfections on my surface only allows more of the sun's rays to shine upon you.
When on your woodland walk you ignore me,
I command your attention by popping you on the head with one of my acorns.
You'll listen to me then.
When the autumnal wind calls my name,
and it is time for me to leave,
See me flutter my fingers
and wave bye-bye.

(Photo taken today upon the grounds of the Hickory Ridge Homestead.)

Slow Progression

I traveled to Grandfather Mountain Sunday morning to see how the leaves were changing up at that altitude. As you can see, the High Country is still far from reaching our peak of the season. Spots of color are everywhere up here, but we still need a good frost to urge the leaves to change. But far be it from me to wish winter here sooner.

I also stopped in to visit Wanda at the Mast Farm Inn yesterday afternoon. I always look forward to watching the old Maple tree covered in ivy change.Wanda and I were going to try to fit in a long walk, but instead, my husband guilted me into helping him paint our house. Bleh!

Lost Dog in Valle Crucis

Gnumoon  has lost Max. If you live in Valle Crucis or are visiting the area, please keep a look out for Max.
He is a friendly dog . If you see do see him be sure to tell him to call home. Note that he doesn't like to get
into cars, but once he is, he's fine.