Sunday Driving

High Country Color, Watauga County, NC  -  2013

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I used a trip to return Courtney to Boone as an excuse to do some leaf looking yesterday. You have to drive to almost Linville before you see much Fall color, but north of there it's really pretty right now. We got off  Hwy. 221 at Grandfather Mountain, and drove the Blue Ridge Parkway to just south of Boone. As you would expect on a sunny Sunday afternoon in October, the BRP was packed with cars full of people enjoying the colorful leaves. Traffic was moving at a crawl, but I didn't mind because I was enjoying the sights too. We made a few stops for pictures, including a short hike at Beacon Rock, and what is normally a two hour trip turned into almost five. It was nice to not be in a hurry!

One Stone, One Bird

In a recent post, I wrote that I planned to kill two birds with one stone on a trip to Hot Springs, NC on Saturday. Well, I did get some new Civil War re-enactor photos, but the Fall foliage photos I was hoping for didn't happen. The forests in the Hot Springs area were still disappointingly green. Oh well, I'll be taking my daughter back to Boone today, and I know the opportunities will be much better up that way.

The Fog Of War, Hot Springs, NC  -  2013

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The Battle of Warm Springs re-encactment was held yesterday. There were not quite as many participants as last year's event, but they still put on a good show. Noticeably absent were the number of cavalry, only three this year compared to almost a dozen last year. However, there was still enough noise and smoke from the rifles and canons to keep the crowds happy. One thing that did puzzle me is the number of people who brought dogs with them to the event. Most of the dogs were absolutely terrified by the canon blasts, and were turned into whimpering, whining bundles of fear minutes after the battle started. Why do some people feel they have to bring their pets with them everywhere? As Dr. Phil would say, "What were you thinking?"

The photo above was the only one I had time to do anything with in the digital darkroom after we got home. It was a college football Saturday, after all.

Memories of Falls Past 5

Fall On Big Creek, Haywood County, NC  -  2010

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This will be the last post for this series on Fall memories. Tomorrow begins my Fall vacation, and I will begin capturing memories from Fall 2013. I've noticed a real change in the leaves in the past week or so, and it looks like I timed my vacation time about right for Fall pictures. I'll begin tomorrow in the Hot Springs, NC area at a Civil War re-enactment, where I'll be able to kill two birds with one stone: Civil War re-enactors, and Fall foliage. My plans are fluid depending on the weather, but I am committed to visiting DuPont State Forest for the first time one day next week. I'm ready for some exploring!

Memories Of Falls Past 4

Rushing Into Fall, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC  -  2010

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I caught a little flak for this one when I first posted it 3 years ago - taking unnecessary risks for a photo, endangering lives on the highway, etc. Actually, I'm hardly the risk taker that some make me out to be. I was on the BRP early in the morning, when there was little or no traffic. I was leaf-looking, so I was doing maybe 30 mph. (Yeah, I'm THAT guy, the one who drives slow on the parkway to enjoy the scenery. Get over it. If you're in a hurry, get back on I-40.) I was holding the camera on the steering wheel, shooting at random, un-aimed, with a slower shutter speed (1/4 sec.) to get the blur. I didn't cause any carnage, and I got one interesting photo out of about 20 shots. Yeah, I was a real daredevil that day.

Memories of Falls Past 3

Fall On The Blue Ridge Parkway, Avery County, NC  -  2010

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On a trip to Boone to return Heather to school after Fall break, I got on the Blue Ridge Parkway for part of the trek to view some of the colorful foliage. I made this photo near the Linn Cove Viaduct. Yeah, I got the standard, postcard shot of the viaduct, but I like this view better.

Memories Of Falls Past 2

Lake Logan Boat House, Haywood County, NC  -  2008

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While I'm waiting for this year's Fall leaf season to get up to speed, I'll continue to post some favorites from past years.

Memories Of Falls Past

Maple Leaf On Rocks, Haywood County, NC  -  2010

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I noticed a slight yellow cast the the mountains this past weekend that tells me the Fall leaf show is about to begin in earnest. I'm more than ready!