Blue Ridge Mountains
Unbelievable Beauty
Mountain Scenes
It’s not easy to describe the beauty of the mountains, especially as each season changes. These photos help to show the beauty as we see it and give us something to look back on to enjoy and anticipate the arrival of the next season. Enjoy the journey for when you get to your destination, sometimes it’s time to turn around and go back. Sometimes the journey is the destination so when we get going, we’re already there.
"Changing Colors" The leaves are changing colors and at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, the leaves are still showing hues of yellow and green. The deep reds and oranges are yet to show. Highway 276, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. October 11, 2020.
"Light Fog on Highway 276" As we drove higher toward the Blue Ridge Parkway, we drove into the fog and eventually the clouds, where we experienced a light rain. The fog provided a mystical look as we enjoyed a beautiful overcast sky. Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. October 11, 2020.
"Along the Road" The Blue Ridge Parkway provides so many different views and having the parkway in the image sometimes is also nice. Travelers can enjoy many gorgeous scenes by simply pulling off the road at one of the many overlooks. This scene is close to Mile Post 410, which is close to Brevard, NC. Photo taken October 8, 2020.
"Autumn View" Hwy. 215 close to Rosman, NC provides a very curvy and interesting ride, especially during the fall of the year. In some places along the roadway, the trees provide a complete canopy over the road, thereby providing lots of shade with rays of sunshine peeking through the dense canopy.
"Summertime Clouds" This image shows the Blue Ridge Mountains close to milepost 410. During summer, cloud formations are very interesting and change quickly. These today are lazy clouds slowly drifting over the beautiful mountains.
"Davidson River during Spring" The bright light green leaves tell us it's springtime. This photo is of the Davidson River on highway 276 between Pisgah Forest, NC, and the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 410. The river is gorgeous and provides recreating in the form of swimming and fly fishing for many locals and tourist. The river is normally clear and cold.
The Blue Ridge Mountains
Pisgah National Forest
A Late Afternoon Walk
The Blue Ridge Parkway was closed to vehicle traffic so I walked. The snow had fallen a few days before so now there was none on the trees. The snow still blanketed the ground in most places. The air was still. There was little to no sound. All was quiet. (1.13.2021)
Sunset along the Parkway
In June of 2019 I captured this scene close to Milepost 410 along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sunsets in the Blue Ridge Mountains are magnificent and being able to see them in person and photograph them for others to see is very rewarding.
"Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower" This 70-foot tall steel tower provides a beautiful overview of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tower is located close to milepost 409.6 and is an easy hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hike the trail, climb the tower, and enjoy the views as if you are in an airplane.
"View from Frying Pan Lookout Tower" The tower is on a summit and the additional height of the 70-foot tower provides one with a birds-eye view of the mountains.
Bridge on Hwy. 276
This bridge is located on Hwy. 276 in Pisgah National Forest, just a few miles down from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s easy to miss the beauty of these bridges when traveling. Pulling over beside the roadway onto a pullout provides an opportunity to climb down the river bank and enjoy the sites of the rivers and bridges.
Blue . . . It’s True
If you’ve never been to the Blue Ridge Mountains, then I welcome you to view my photos. It’s true, the atmosphere really is blue and the blue tent can be more pronounced at one time than others. The photos below, and many others on my website, highlight the blue in the Blue Ridge Mountains; it’s truly gorgeous.
View from Mt. Pisgah Parking Lot, January 1, 2022
View from Black Balsam Knob Road, January 1, 2022
View of The Devil's Courthouse, January 1, 2022
Black Balsam Grove
On New Year’s Day, 2022, I ventured onto the Blue Ridge Parkway and rode up Black Balsam Knob Road to the trailhead and then walked into the Black Balsam Grove. It’s an adventure all on its own. It made me think I could be visiting a time when knights and kings, and maybe Robin Hood, were present.
View from just outside the Black Balsam Grove
Deep inside the Black Balsam Grove
Black Balsam Grove
Black Balsam Needles
Black Balsam Needles
View from just outside the Black Balsam Grove