Blue Ridge blog

As scene from Camp Yonahnoka in Linville, NC

I worked an event Sunday held in the pavilion at Camp Yonahnoka in Linville, NC. The weather was foggy, then sunny, then rainy, then foggy some more which is fairly normal for these parts. I had never been to Camp Yonahnoka before but had heard tale of it, most usually whenever somebody biographically mentioned Hugh Morton, as it was where he was first introduced to photography as a camper in his youth. I instantly saw the attraction. The setting is magical with a mountain lake, views of the peaks of Grandfather Mountain (when the lack of fog allows) and a lush lawn green lawn begging to be jumped in a burlap sack for shooting bows and arrows over. If spaces and places hold karma of those who have visited, then Camp Yonahnoka must have been a happy haven for many, many children.

 

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small...

 

The High Country was gifted a brief, yet much appreciated reprieve from winter this weekend. Ya know it has snowed plenty in Boone when folks get all happy because it hasn't snowed in 24 hours and that becomes the main topic of conversation in the office, the grocery store, on Facebook, and in the animal habitats on Grandfather Mountain. 

Yesterday while my husband slaved clearing snow with the backhoe, I slipped away with my camera and Annie on a trek up Grandfather. The top was closed so we ventured to the animal habitat.  All the animals, save the hibernating bears, were out and about. Grandfather Mountain truly is a 365 destination, save during the most horrific weather conditions. Today, Annie and I visited the Valle Crucis Park. Most of the asphalt remained covered in snow, yet the fly fisherman were out in numbers, wading in the waters of the Watauga wishing for some trout love. Later, I went into Boone and ran the Loop twice. It was my first run around the town this year and I'm paying the price this evening, hobbling to the kitchen for glass of wine, for medicinal reasons of course...

 
 

A few photos from Grandfather Mountain the other morning...

 

I was fortunate enough to be invited up to Grandfather Mountain the other morning with the hopes of capturing the previous evening's snowfall clinging to trees. However, high winds knocked the snow off the trees so my preconceived notions were left unfulfilled. Still, I was on top of Grandfather Mountain and hello, how awesome it that? The road was ice covered but my Jeep's wheels didn't slip as it chugged up the steep winding road. Just before Forrest Gump curve I thought it wise to park in the picnic area and test the condition of the road with my feet before climbing any higher in elevation. As I got out of the car, my feet slipped and just about that time I looked up to see a pick-up truck filled with construction workers sliding backward. I've never seen folks bail out of a vehicle faster. The truck stopped on its own. Both the vehicle and the dudes were fine. They were so relieved to see me.

"Hey, you must have 4-wheel drive," said one of the fellows.

Just then, I noticed a tiny sliver of sun rising on the horizon.

I waved them over. "Come check this out," I said.

We perched on a boulder, bundled up in our coats to shield from the wind, and looked eastward for a few minutes of bliss.

So that is how me and 3 guys from South Carolina welcomed in our Tuesday.

Check it out...

I probably shouldn't post this because it is an out take of my photo session on Grandfather Mountain today. I went location scouting to see what was doing what where. I found the Rhodos are almost peak, but not quite yet on top of the mountain. I suspect the same may be true for the blooms on Roan Mountain.
Regardless, I have been heavily experimenting with off-camera flash via Pocket Wizards in outdoor situations. I've suffered many fail whales, but have had a few successes. For example, my husband's photo on the Viaduct yesterday was nothing more than a carefully metered flash explosion combined with ambient light reading. I messed a tiny bit with some tonal contrast, but the effect is mostly an in camera fill-flash effect. And, for the first time in forever, he behaved and took my direction. Thank you husband, Troy and David LaChapelle.
In any case, my blog is me; a work in progress.

Driving the Viaduct

"Enough," he said.
My husband put down the sander and told me he was gonna take a shower and then asked if I would lay down the hoe and join him later for a Sunday drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
"Twist my arm some more or handcuff me please," I teased.
So at 4 o'clock today, we began our weekend of relaxation.
My husband raised the lid on his beloved '59 Ford Retract and we cruised to the sounds of nifty fifty tunes.
Tis the start of the Parkway season. The scent of wild roses, wild pink catawba rhodos contrast against the blue skies and the lush green mountains await visitors this week.
I saw many photo ops and plan to return soon for *cough* serious work.
May I suggest you come up here and play soon?
You'll thank me.

On cold and bloody limbs...

Like most folks in the eastern half of the country, I am shivering while the heater greedily cranks through my money hoping to keep our shelter at the barely comfortable 63 degrees. Our home motto this winter is: Wear more. Save more.

I did spend quite a bit of time outdoors today. And survived. There was a pleasant snow squall that hit Boone around mid-day which provided me the opportunity to stalk my favorite campus haunts. Unfortunately, the 'new' of snow has long worn off even the most naive freshman from off the mountain, so there were no delighted expressions captured. But the snow did dance as it was backlit by a muted sun, like fairy dust, so I was fulfilled.

The above photo is of Grandfather Mountain (distant left) and Hanging Rock (peak on right) from the parking lot of Caldwell Community college. It was so freakin' cold out there as the temperature plunged during the late afternoon. I could have explored this more, but my fingers just could not tolerate the wind.

I was gifted a deer ham yesterday. I've been eating more vegan than normal lately, but this was such a bloody nice present (literally and figuratively) that I've decided to make much of the meat into jerky. I've been researching different recipes and thought I might be entertained this weekend by creating a jerky tasting. I mean, why not? I'll let you know how it goes....

Oh, and you should have seen the looks I got while walking through campus carrying the bloody limb in a garbage sack. It was horror movie perfect.

Doin' leaf recon...

 

I fell out of bed early Saturday morning. Without brushing my teeth or hair, I pulled on Friday's pair of jeans and stumbled into the Jeep and steered towards the Parkway. I headed north at Blowing Rock and quickly turned around because the cloud cover wasn't going to allow for a striking sunrise. I traveled south and hit Price Lake.
That's where I met the first photographer.  The light was dull and I briefly considered bagging the trip and going back to bed. But I figured while I was out there, I would do a bit of leaf reconnaissance so I would know the better areas to go to at a later time. I ventured to the boat area at the lake. That's when Mr. Sun decided to do his little thing. It was fairly magical.
After 20 minutes I packed my gear and drove to Grandfather. By the time I got to Rough Ridge I had already passed at least 20 photographers. As I crossed the viaduct, add at least 50 more lens slingers to count. I think this section of the Parkway most be highlighted as 'the place to shoot autumn,' in some landscape photography magazine. I'm gonna look for a different spot just to be rebellious.
For those keeping track of the leaves, peak on the top is just days away. Barring a major windstorm, autumn will stay around a while. It is gorgeous everywhere and you won't be disappointed.
Bring your camera.

Note to self: Your bogen tripod is tired, in fact, it is dead. Time to get a new one.

Whoa. Check it out.

It never ceases to amaze me that I sometimes get paid to take a hike. Today I covered various assignments along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I traveled Rough Ridge (near Grandfather Mtn.) all the way to Doughton Park. The only thing missing from the day was having someone with whom to share the occasional natural delights. After climbing a particularly exhausting summit, I looked down and out and said over my shoulder to no one in particular, "Whoa! Check out that view."
Now it is late at night and as I post this, I realize that not only do I get to relive the moment from the comfort of my chair, but I also get to share it with you as well. Ain't blogging grand?

Viewfinders

This is another photo taken at sunrise yesterday morning.  I was on top of Grandfather Mountain . It was windy and cold, but not too cold. I was tempted to cross the Swinging Bridge, but chickened out this time. I was waiting for a photo op that sadly did not materialized within my time constraints. But what I did witness was extraordinary lighting, wild critters (including one crazy turkey) and fresh air. April may be considered a grey month up here in the mountains, but to me, it is anything but colorless. For those nearby, remember the month of April is Dollar Days at Grandfather Mountain. For a buck, you can hike the trails, see the wildlife and breathe the high life. Just ask yourself: When was the last time you crossed the Swinging Bridge?

A tribute to the Mile High Swinging Bridge by the late Charles Kuralt .

 

Stuff I otter know....

I don't have a fantastic view of a wild otter in my small backyard pond like Amy in New Hampshire but the River Otters on Grandfather Mountain aren't too far away from my Valle Crucis home to get a taste of the tamer mammals. There is a huge size difference between Amy's otter and the one shown here. I'm not an otter expert.
I reckon I otter google more info to see which is what...