Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A Glimpse of Things to Come

This morning we went hiking on one of the trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The air was crisp and the view spectacular.  It was amazing to note the differences in the amount of color as we rounded one curve after another.  You may want to click to enlarge the photographs.


Not a lot of color in the distance, but beautiful anyway.




 The area near Graveyard Fields always seems to have the earliest color.

We stopped by the Pisgah Inn for lunch after our hike.  We left just in time to see two busloads of tourists stopping.  (Note to self:  You got lucky this time.  Don't have lunch there during leaf season.  Breakfast is a better time to stop.)
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20 comments:

  1. The BugSeptember 28, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Ah, I miss my mountains most this time of year...

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  2. Ms. ASeptember 28, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    The Pisgah Inn is only 25 miles from my property. Wish I was there!

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  3. Wayfarin' StrangerSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Beautiful, Carolyn. We had planned a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway for next week, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. My loss! Jim

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  4. Busy Bee SuzSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Gorgeous.....I wish I were there. Enjoy!

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  5. GeorgeSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Thanks for taking us along on your hike. We're trying to find time to get to your area to enjoy the color.

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  6. Folkways Note BookSeptember 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    NCmountainwoman -- nice views of the early fall leaves. You are about the same color level as KY. What a lovely hike you had with a nice lunch afterwards. Perfect.

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  7. RudeeSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    It's so beautiful! Wish I were there with you.

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  8. TaradharmaSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    I'm happy to say I'm headed for NC during the last week of October! First time! I am hoping that the fall color is still in action -- I shall rely upon you to keep me updated.

    Not sure of itinerary yet, but Chapel-Hill, Mt. Airy and possibly Asheville. Can't wait!

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Reminds me of our trip to the BRP a year ago. Lots has happened since then, including two new grandbabies, one of which is a NC resident in Greenville.

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  10. CherylSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Such beautiful scenery and the colours are glorious.

    I dread it when the coaches arrive in the village, during the Spring, to see the blossom trail. I make a hasty exit and head for home :)

    Hope you enjoyed your lunch.

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  11. EricaSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Thanks for taking us along on your hike.

    check insurance

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  12. JanieSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    What a great view. I love the first photo, especially.
    Nice that you got there before the busloads of tourists.

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  13. carolina nanaSeptember 29, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    After this weekend there will be much more color quickly !!
    It's cominmg earlier this year as all the season's have seemed to do around here this year.
    The cold snows of winter are just around the corner.
    Blessings to you and have a great weekend
    Marilyn

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  14. NanceSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Looks like there'll be no trip to the mountains this fall (another trip is planned instead), so you will be my eyes and I'll look forward to seeing what you see.

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  15. LolaSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    Thanks for the hike. Love those mtns.
    Sadly I can't make it to them any more. DH {RIP} & I use to go every yr. We did have a place near the Smokies. It sure was nice.

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  16. Beatrice P. BoydSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Hi Carolyn, we were in Bruson City, NC last weekend and sadly didn't get to the mountains. The colors in your post are beautiful. But we leave Monday for New Hampshire so sure we will see color there in the White Mountains.

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  17. Cicero SingsSeptember 29, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    Lovely hike ... and how fortunate to miss the tourist bus. Interesting how the colours varied from one location to the next ... I suppose it had to do with which direction they faced etc.

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  18. NCmountainwomanSeptember 30, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Thanks for your comments everyone.

    Bug - I can appreciate that.

    Ms. A - Oh, I wish you were here as well.

    Wayfarin' - Sorry you won't make it this year. Perhaps things will work out next fall.

    Taradharma - Even if the colors are past peak, you should still find some as you travel through the state.

    Erica - Thanks for dropping by.

    Lola - Sorry you can't make the trip but I'm sure you have some good memories of years past.

    Beatrice - I love Bryson City. Before we retired, we used to vacation there. We stayed at the Fryemont Inn and hiked the trails in the Smokies. One thing we still haven't done is the train trip from there.

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    The colors there are stunning already. What a beautiful beginning to the season.

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  20. troutbirderSeptember 30, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Spectacular to say the least.
    Troutbirder ( a devoted "touristy leaf peeper." :)

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