LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, October 21, 2011

Fridays are Golden

Lake Wanteska is the second largest lake within our community.  It has a lovely earthen dam and is one of  Ellie's and Lucy's favorite running places.  As soon as we are out of the SUV they run at breakneck speed across the dam.  Then they turn and come running back to us.

Running free is such a treat!




 This is the only dam in which the girls can actually run up and down the dam itself.  They love it.  And we love it because they get such good exercise and spend a really quiet afternoon.




Ellie loves to sniff the wind and smell those wonderful autumn smells.




The fall color at the lake is past peak but beautiful nonetheless.




And how was the color on parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday?  White.  It was all white around Craggy Gardens.  Rime ice covered the forest.  (Rime ice is ice that forms on the trees or roads from water droplets in the fog.)  In the mountains you always hope that you will see the ice on the trees before you feel your car slide in the invisible (black ice) rime ice on the road.

Above photograph from the Asheville Citizen-Times taken by Bill Sanders.


Our quote for the week comes from Pulitzer Prize winner Edwin Way Teale:

Change is a measure of time, and in the autumn time seems speeded up.  What was is not and never again will be; what is is change.



Someone said that our time here is not a dress rehearsal.  This is it.  Make the most of it.  Now.


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE.   FULL OF LIFE AND LOVE

18 comments:

Ms. A said...

The rime ice photo isn't nearly as attractive as your photos above it! It must be getting quite cold up there. I'm happy we have gotten cooler, but nowhere near icy.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I've never heard of rime ice before...I learned something today. :)
Love the photos of the girls; it is so nice they have some good running areas right in the neighborhood. Nothing makes them sleep as good as a good run!!
Love that quote.
Have a nice weekend!

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

Such beautiful pictures. Love the girls running free!! We did some of that this afternoon too - and played a bit of frisbee. Life is GOOD!

AROOOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

Cicero Sings said...

My sister in law and I just got in from walking our dogs. The golf course has closed down for the winter and it becomes a lovely open place for the dogs to chase ball. They had a great time and it really tires them out. The golf course is very hilly so we get our exercise too. We sat in the sun and soaked a while too, at the half way point. Let the dogs recover their breath! It is so great for them when they can run free.

carolina nana said...

We are expecting our first freeze tonight so I've gleaned the garden this evening. Guess it's time for that Ahhhhh feeling I always get at the end of the growing season.
I bet there was a lot of surprised tourist all along the parkway yesterday morning, I would have liked to be a sweater salesman up there !!
Blessings for a wonderful weekend
Marilyn

Taradharma said...

Happy Friday! The dogs look so happy on their run up the dam.

I hear it's getting colder there, but my iphone app is set for Raleigh and it says next week will actually be in the mid-70s! I guess it's a ways from Raleigh to where you are -- I'm trying to figure out what kind of clothes to bring! Ack! Layers, I'm guessing. Will get me by no matter where I am.

Those fall colors are gorgeous, even though they may be fading. Still more than we Californians often get. Beautiful.

Karin said...

Love that rime ice - just wondering if it is the same as what we call hoar frost. What a beautiful country side you live in! A walk with your Golden Girls would do me good right now. Have sat at a desk for the past 4 hrs. at work!! Thanks for the virtual visit!

animal lover, quilt lover said...

You live in a beautiful place!
Thank you for your kind words on the blog today. I have worked very hard to be on the internet and have a blog and I think it has been well worth it to have friend like you!!! This typing everyday keeps my mind active and learning and when you are learning you are not dieing. Tom and I work at staying healthy and happy! WE never go out to eat b/c we want to control the amount of salt and sugar and fat in what we eat. That helps in staying healthy....
xx, Happy & Fern

Andrea said...

That 3rd photo is very serene and tranquil and maybe the doggies like that ambiance too. They seem very happy with the changing season getting colder.

NCmountainwoman said...

Karin - The difference between hoar frost and rime ice has to do with its origin. Hoar frost is made by water droplets from dew that freezes. Rime ice is made by water droplets from fog that freezes. Both of them can make "black ice" on the roads that you cannot see.

Rudee said...

Black ice is no fun. I've had my share of driving on roads that turn surprisingly into skating rinks. Terrifying.

Your colors may be past peak, but they're still fairly vibrant. The girls look thrilled to be taking it all in.

Vicki Lane said...

A good reminder to treasure all the fleeting days...

Barb said...

I love to see the girls running with their ears flapping! That photo of rime ice looks suspiciously like my own forest (though, thankfully, much has melted). Enjoy your Sunday, Caroline.

Ginnie said...

It's fun to see how "the girls" are enjoying themselves. We have a lot to learn from them ... just enjoy every moment as it comes!

Kathryn Stripling Byer said...

Your dogs look so much like ours. Gorgeous beasts.

Susie Swanson said...

Love the photos. I'm an N.C. gal too.. Glad to find you and your lovely blog..Susie

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Ahhh yes! Now that's my goal...to make the most outta life. That quote kinda smacks ya as ya get older!

Your colors are truly beautiful. 'Drought' has stolen our Ozark color this year. Did ya say 'ice'??? Although the picture is beautiful that's not a word I wanna hear. 'Not a winter person!!! :o)

God bless ya and have an extraordinary day sweetie!!!

The Bug said...

I'm so glad I saved this post for Monday - I laughed to see the picture of the girls galloping along. A nice way to start the work week.

I remember rime ice - it really is lovely.