October 6- October 12, 2012 back to Fall Galleries page
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Oct 6, 2012
As the clouds broke in the afternoon, I impulsively decided to take a drive down Aho Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Paying more attention to the views than my direction, I headed north on the Parkway while meaning to go south. Pulling into overlook after overlook, I didn't even realize how far north I'd gone till I got to the intersection of 421 north of Boone. It's hard to miss that overpass no matter where your attention is focused! I should know better...
But if you must get turned around on any road, I recommend doing it on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful!
Grand View Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway
elev. 3240 ft.
You can see from this image that there is still much more color to come in the valleys! More color could be found all along the drive, though.
The sumacs are lighting up!
An alternate angle at the Grand View Overlook shows more color at the camera level.
Dramatic skies made the color pop!
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Oct 7, 2012
A very overcast day and a lot of rain the night before brought chilly breezes! It was definitely a day for a warm drink. Here is a view from the back deck at Bald Guy Brew here in Blowing Rock.
From Main Street Blowing Rock (at Bald Guy Brew)
elev. 3560 ft.
Still plenty of green in the hills immediately surrounding Blowing Rock.
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Oct 8, 2012
Another overcast day. I wanted to show you, in contrast to yesterday's photo, how some of the brighter trees in town are coming along.
Laurel Lane in Blowing Rock
elev. 3525 ft.
The color here is coming along nicely. As mentioned before, foliage will likely be peaking in areas above 4000 feet this week. Following that, look for the best color above 3500 feet. That's right in Blowing Rock's range. Stay tuned!
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Oct 9, 2012
I kept waiting for the clouds to break, but it was a misty, overcast day.
While watching a practice game in Boone Optimist Park, I snapped a shot of the slope in the background. You can see that there is still some color to come at this elevation, but that the trees are looking beautiful.
Boone Optimist Park
elev. 3105 ft.
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Oct 10, 2012
I was excited to get out on the Parkway today! We drove to the parking area for the Beacon Heights trail, just on the other side of Grandfather Mountain. If you haven't hiked this trail, be sure to put it on your list! The easy-to-moderate trail is relatively short, with a huge payoff in views of Grandmother Mountain and surrounding peaks.
The clouds were rolling through at a fast pace, casting quickly-moving shadows over the ridges before us. Just breathtaking.
After the hike, we drove back toward Blowing Rock and stopped at several of the overlooks to enjoy the views.
And today's main photo illustrates how the color is progressing at elevations of about 4000 feet and more.
This weekend is a great time to see peak color around these elevations!
Milepost 303 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
elev. 4300 ft.
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Oct 11, 2012
A walk around town in the fall is one of my favorite things. With skies this blue, it's hard not to look up and enjoy the view directly overhead.
Downtown Blowing Rock
elev. 3570 ft.
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Oct 12, 2012
This view from the Blowing Rock Equestrian Center was snapped in the afternoon, as the clouds were beginning to part from a cloudy and overcast day. The light was pouring in on the trees all along the drive down Laurel Lane, and I love the way the sky looked above the horse grounds.
Blowing Rock Stables
elev. 3750 ft.
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