Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Fall on the Blue Ridge Pkwy-Part I

On our Maggie Valley, North Carolina, trip with friends (Oct. 19-21, 2010),  after leaving Cataloochie Valley,  we drove from Maggie Valley to Soco Gap and then up the Blue Ridge Parkway toward the Mt. Pisgah area.  As you probably remember from the Cataloochie pictures,  we had a rainy, foggy morning.  When we first got on the parkway,  it was quite foggy... BUT--since that entire trip was magical,  the fog lifted and we were able to see many beautiful Autumn colors along the parkway that day...

I will divide my posts into about 3 parts since the pictures all turned out so well.  Today,  I will share some pictures we were able to capture that morning in the fog... Hope you enjoy more of my foggy (or misty) pictures.





At first,  we weren't sure whether the fog would lift on the parkway or not...  BUT--when it began to lift,  we were able to find some pretty colors along our way.





You can see here that the sun is TRYING hard to pop through the fog.  Obviously,  you can only imagine how happy we were to see that sunshine!!!!





The most vivid colors were here at the mid-levels along the parkway.  Once we got higher and higher in elevation,  the colors had disappeared.





I love this picture,  since it shows all of the shadows --where the sun is still hiding behind the clouds... Isn't that just awesome?





AHA--The blue sky is peaking through....  We were so happy!!!!





Finally,  here is some more color we experienced that morning in North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway.   When looking at these now,  I get sad to see Fall leave us...  This was such a marvelous trip --with some great friends.  More photos to come from this area!!!

Hugs,

Since George's sister is out-of-town,  we are driving to Hendersonville today to check on George's parents.   Hope you all have a great day! 

54 comments:

Sciarada said...

Ciao Betsy, the photos are all very nice, but those in which there is a union between the colors of autumn and the fog has a great fascination for me!
Have a great day!

Valerie said...

Oh wow Betsy! I just love those fog pictures - such a heavenly beauty!

Unknown said...

The colors along the BRP are fabulous this time of year. I'm not ready for Winter yet! Can't we just keep Fall around till maybe March? lol

Fred Alton said...

Awesome pictures of an awesome area of the world! Hope you find George's parents o.k. and your trip is a safe and joyful one.

Neal said...

Of course you were wanting to see the sun so bad that you were seeing it when it wasn't there. :) Those are beautiful pictures with good memories.

From the Kitchen said...

Between you and Ginny, my autumn is being beautifully extended. I love the colors. Many a day have I seen that mist hang in the valleys and over the peaks.

Safe travel and good visit with the family.

Best,
Bonnie

Snap said...

Such gorgeous colors, Betsy. I love the mist/fog ... romantic!!!! :D :D

Big Dude said...

I haven't been on the Blue Ridge Parkway in years, but I remember it having some of the most beautiful scenery ever - especially in the fall. You got some great shots as usual.

Dorothy said...

Wonderful pictures, Betsy!! I love the pictures with the fog! You made your trip at the right time and we were a little late with ours.

Darla said...

You take the most beautiful photos with such depth. Love the fog lifting.

Arkansas Patti said...

Love the foggy pictures, they are my favorite.
That one where the clouds cast shadows on the mountains reminds me of a scene I saw the other day in the Ozarks with no place to pull over to capture it. That is when having a driver is really handy.

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful photos - thanks for sharing your trip with us. I hope George's parents are in good spirits today and I wish you and George safe travel.

MadSnapper said...

all this vivid color is mind boggling to me. these are all wonderful. they could be expensive paintings. so lovely

Lynda said...

God is awesome to give us such magnificent beauty. Plus he gave us YOU - -- - a person who loves to share that beauty through photos. Thanks!

KathyA said...

"Magical" says it all, doesn't it?

Ruth Hiebert said...

Gorgeous pictures.The fog seems to bring out those pops of color.Love it.
Blessings,Ruth

Out on the prairie said...

Betsy you found the best of the day.I like the colors offered with the fog. Mt.Pisgah is also a name for a cemetery here in Iowa that the Mormons created along their trail.Wonder if it was named for a place back home?

Small City Scenes said...

Glorious Betsy. It is had to say goodbye to Fall after seeing what it has to offer. We all know what Winter has to offer--haha!! Of course you are the original "I love snow" girl.

Hope the folks are doing well. I am going to visit my Mother today. I went yesterday too--she is getting very frail and forgetfull. Shannon is going with me and I am going to bring here car to my house--it tempts her too much.
Have a safe trip. MB

Cicero Sings said...

The colours through the fog -- absolutely lovely.

We have blowing snow and -11c. I need to shovel the driveway if I go out this morning as planned -- but I'm awfully tempted to cancel. I shoveled some last night but we got even more snow since then -- I'd say equally more. Sigh.

Safe travels go you as you go to see George's folk and that you find them well and happy.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Fascinating colors of fall. 3rd picture is impressive! Thanks for all the photos.

I Am Woody said...

Beautiful shots!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Beautiful fall color even with the mist!
Safe travels today.
xoxo
Suz

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, I love your foggy mountain scenes. Isn't there a song about foggy mountain something or other? I can't think what it is at the moment...not enough caffeine, I guess. :D Love your bird photos from yesterdays post, too, since I'm a bird lover myself. Reminded me to get some more finch seed, I love my little gold finches. Have a safe trip today.

Hugs,
Cheryl

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are such great pictures, and they make me feel right at home, because they remind me of the ones I just posted, they do look the same! I love that russet color and am going to do a whole post on it. I hope you have a good trip, I know the weather is real nice here. Let me know how things are going with the new girl. Maybe better by now.

A Slice of My Life said...

These are beautiful photos, you are in such a lovely area. Almost all of our color is gone and snow is predicted for this weekend. I'm not ready!

I just thought I'd let you know that I always enjoy your commets on Kathy's site, so I thought I'd stop in and say hello!

Jackie said...

Indeed,it's absolutely stunning! I made a trip to see friends in Murfressboro,TN Sunday since I am visiting my daughter in AL.I ooohed and Ahhhhhhed, all the way there!Fall foliage was so vivid that the drive itself was entirely lovely!

Becca's Dirt said...

What stunning colors. They are so bright and the sun over the mountains and valley is breath taking. Our Creator gave us something beautiful there. Hope you have a blessed day. Enjoy your visit with George's family.

Jo said...

Oh Betsy;) these colours are stunning. I had to look at the bright reds and golds again and again. The mist is so mysterious! And the shadows on the mountain remind me of blankets. Thanks for taking us on this drive. Look forward to more of same! Thanks too for your visits to my blog. I'm trying to catch up on blog visits. Have a wonderful weekend. (((hugs))) Jo

Jo said...

Oh Betsy;) these colours are stunning. I had to look at the bright reds and golds again and again. The mist is so mysterious! And the shadows on the mountain remind me of blankets. Thanks for taking us on this drive. Look forward to more of same! Thanks too for your visits to my blog. I'm trying to catch up on blog visits. Have a wonderful weekend. (((hugs))) Jo

Barbara said...

I think this is one of the most beautiful places in the world, I love those blue ridge mountains wish I could live in them, hugs and my friend and thank you for sharing with us, and making me envious of you. giggles, love ya

amelia said...

You do seem to have a much longer fall than we do. Ours lasts about two to three weeks tops. The colours I mean.
This has got to be one of the prettiest places in the world!!
I do hope you find Georges parents as well as they can be...

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Your view of the Fall mountains are just beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, these are beautiful spots and your photos are perfect. Wow. I am super impressed.

LV said...

Thank you for taking us along on another great trip through the beautiful mountains. Sorry, George, my story today is not me.

nanny said...

I just love the fog pictures!!

Kay said...

These photos are spectacular! What beautiful color and I love the fog.

Karin said...

I'd much rather be where you are right now! We've had the 2 days of snow and minus 14 (7F) right now - and the wind bites! It will take us a bit to get used to the change.

Love all your excellent photos! Just sooooooo beautifull!

Anonymous said...

My favorite picture of the ones you posted is the first one .. love the fog and the brilliant colors!

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Beautiful pictures! I especially love the foggy pictures. Gorgeous country!

Birdman said...

Looks VERY New England, about a month ago.

Connie said...

Such lovely scenes, Betsy! You did find some really great spots of color there in the mist. Nice shots. :)

Susie said...

So beautiful!

The Retired One said...

You know ME....autumn colors + fog=heaven!! I love fog pictures because of the mood it provokes when one looks at the photos...and mixed with these colors it is breathtaking.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Breathe taking!!!!!,,,m,,,

ruthinian said...

Hello Betsy,

I have not visited you for awhile. I'm so sorry about that. I know you don't fail to visit and comment on my blogs and I really appreciate it. I am really too busy lately. I will make it up to you when I get the chance.

As usual your photos are breathtaking. I missed a lot. I love the effect of the fog on the foliage... it's gorgeous.

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy, these are such beautiful pictures! I sure had wanted to get home this fall, but it just didn't happen. At least you are showing me a sample of what I missed....

Diane said...

Such pretty colors Betsy. Again I love the way the fog makes everything look. The colors are magnificent. Diane

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I cannot say Awesome enough, that describes the beauty! Love your photos!
kim
ps. doing a post tomorrow with a Maggie Valley pic

carolina nana said...

Love the cloud shadows in that picture. Hope you have a safe trip and find George's parents doing fine.
HAve a blessed tomorrow
marilyn

Rose said...

this is so beautiful i love the fog over the tress and area. great photos rose

SquirrelQueen said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous colors. I know you were very happy to see the sun come out and the resulting photos are beautiful but the ones with the fog are also very pretty.

Hope you had a good trip to Hendersonville today and George's parents are doing well.

NENSA MOON said...

Wowww... I love the fog which enveloped the autumn's leaves.. they just gorgeous..
The color of autumn's leaves really fascinated me!!

coming to this site always refresh me, Betsy. Thanks so much for your beautiful post!
hugs,
nensa

Mary said...

I really like that first shot! Very pretty with the fog,

Janie said...

I love the Smoky Mountain mists, and the shadows from the clouds are lovely, too.