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...

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Oh how I Love the Blue Ridge Parkway

If you ever want to take a beautiful drive in Summer (also in Spring and Fall),  there's just no place better than the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway follows the tops of mountains from NC all the way to VA...  Then --if you want to go farther into northern VA,  take the Skyline Drive (which is a continuation of the Blue Ridge Parkway).  George and I have (at various times) been on the entire parkway including Skyline Drive.

For my birthday this year,  George took me out of this horrible heat we've been having here --and took me on a nice ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC.  We started at Maggie Valley and drove to the Mt. Mitchell exit.

Today,  I 'll show you some photos of some of the magnificent beauty  we saw during those two days while driving along the parkway.  First of all,  the temperature was in the 70's --so we enjoyed riding with the windows down.   That cooler air was fabulous---and that glorious mountain smell just filled my heart and soul.

Just sit back and enjoy today's photos.  It was a sunny/cloudy day --so on days like this, I love to photograph the sky as much as the mountains!!!! Remember that you can enlarge the photos for some larger views...










Thanksgiving Dinner, anyone????






Break through those clouds,  Mr. Sun!!!





If you want more beauty than your heart can imagine,  visit the Blue Ridge Parkway!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed my photos.  We certainly had a fabulous trip. Sorry I didn't get to many of your posts yesterday.  Our internet was out for many hours!!!!  Grrrrr.....

Hugs,
Betsy

51 comments:

Ms. A said...

Your views are much better than mine were, the last time we were there. It was just coming out of winter and not yet lush and green.

Jo said...

Ah beautiful Betsy! And it's so nice to travel with windows wound down to fully enjoy nature: sounds, sights and smells. Thanks for sharing your birthday trip. Blessings, Jo

Beatriz said...

Hello Betsy!!!

I love driving in summer too! That's what I'll do at the end of this year on the east coast in Brazil!!!
Kisses

Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Catherine said...

Looks like that Turkey needs to put on a bit more weight before it's ready for Thanksgiving dinner. ;)
xo Catherine

Ruth Hiebert said...

Gorgeous.I love the multiple layers in many of the pictures.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

We are fortunate enough to live about 10 minutes from the Blue Ridge parkway. I really enjoy running there - so serene.

Arkansas Patti said...

Thank you Betsy. The only time I traveled the parkway, it was either clouds or fog for all I could see was the road.
Now I know what I was missing.

penny said...

Thanks so much for the wonderful mountain getaway, Betsy. I needed a break from our 90+ summer heat. Nothing can compare to cool mountain air especially with these beautiful views.

be Well n Happy,
Pam

Les Barr said...

Your great Images from the Blue Ridge brought back memories for me from years ago.

I have been on the Parkway a number of times in the past. On the Parkway in our car & Touring the Blue Ridge on our Goldwing touring bike. I never grew tired of enjoying the view's that the Blue Ridge had to offer, and never will. Nice Post, Betsy.

Les

Connie said...

Such lovely scenes, Betsy. I have been along part of this. It is really something to see.

Out on the prairie said...

I have been on all of this with many stops to take a pic. Lovely shots.

Fred Alton said...

The Blue Ridge is one of my favorites in all the world. There's just something about standing on top of a mountain and having valleys and mountains unfold before you that refreshes me.

diane b said...

It sure looks a beautiful place with the blue mountains rolling away in the distance. I wish our tour had included this part of the country.

Dorothy said...

Great pictures! I love this area, too! Every Fall we feel drawn to the Smokies and I would also like to see them in the Spring!

I Am Woody said...

One of my most favorite memories involves turkeys and The Blue Ridge Parkway:)

TexWisGirl said...

really beautiful. even just seeing the photos is refreshing for the heart and soul...

linda m said...

Beautiful pictures. I can almost smell the cool mountain air. If I lived closer I would be there all the time. Thanks for sharing and making my day.

Karin said...

So lovely to drive through a fabulous place like this with the windows down and the breeze caressing the face! Have a great day!

Carol Murdock said...

Beautiful pics Bets! You're making me homesick! :)

Rose said...

Beautiful photos, Betsy!

Christine said...

Thank you Betsy for giving me a dose of those beautiful mountains! Just what I needed this morning.

From the Kitchen said...

I don't think I have to tell you how I feel about these photos--and the Parkway and Drive. Thanks.

Best,
Bonnie

Busy Bee Suz said...

I love it too. One day, I hope to visit there while fall peaks!!!

Beth said...

We didn't make it there this year, but perhaps we can plan one for next summer. The photos are gorgeous. I think God's majesty is best shown in mountains, oceans, and the sky.
That shot of the sun 'fighting' to come through those blustery clouds is awesome, Bets. You need to blow that up and frame it!:>)

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This brings back memories of my childhood rides in these mountains. Gorgeous!!!

Becca's Dirt said...

I hear ya on the internet. Grrrrrr! My computer was down most of last week - going in the shop on Monday and again on Thur. Acting up all week long. Beautiful photos Betsy. What an awesome place. Beauty to behold.

MadSnapper said...

we just got home from more beauty than our hearts could stand at the beach. it was so beautiful, the skies looked a lot like this, but over sand and gulf waters not mountains. vistas are wonderful, mountains or beaches.

Debbie Taillieu said...

You do live in God's Country!!!
Enjoy your day!!

Debbie's Travels

Small City Scenes said...

A glorious drive, Betsy. What a nice birthday present from you r wonderful George.
I like having clouds around too. MB

Ginny Hartzler said...

This post could have been called "Layers", because that's what it is. Layers and layers of beautiful mountains, how I LOVE my mountains. I don't think people realize how much they really do protect us. Gosh, I have never seen a wild turkey just walking around, they are so cagey and shy.

happyone said...

We sure have a beautiful world to enjoy! : )

nanny said...

I would so love to drive the parkway.....your pictures are so great!
Wow I've missed reading blogs. Haven't sat down for a week and am trying to catch up!
OK gotta read your recent ones...see you later, ha

imac said...

Betsy the Beauty, lol
Wonderful info and great shots my friend.

Kay said...

It's easy to see why they call the "Blue Ridge". Very beautiful.

Kay

Anonymous said...

wow, 35 comments already! You have such a successful and popular blog. Congrats! And your photos, as usual, are spectacular!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love the amazing landscapes in the west, but there's just something about the mountains in the Smoky Mountain range that just call to me. It's so peaceful looking. Great photos.

RoeH said...

It IS beautiful!! I was not there long enough in 1996.

Together We Save said...

It is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Chatty Crone said...

The second to last photo of the clouds was awesome! So is the Blue Ridge Parkway - I have seen some of it and it is gorgeous! sandie

Cheryl @ TFD said...

This area is definitely on my places-I-have-to-visit list! Beautiful photos, Betsy. I love the mist in the mountains, or do they call it fog? Whatever, it makes for a beautiful scene!

Ann said...

thanks for taking us along for the ride. Beautiful scenes.

Sally Wessely said...

The Blue Ridge Parkway is just beautiful. I really do hope we make it to that part of the country someday. Thanks for sharing.

Lola said...

Been there, saw some of the beauty but once is not enough. Sure wish I could go back.

Diane said...

I can certainly see why they call them the Blue Ridge Mountains. They're such beautiful colors. Diane

Carletta said...

It's been such a long time since we've traveled over Skyline Drive. I think it may well be time for a fall one. :)
You captured the rolling mountains beautifully! How could anymore not look at these and give a deep sigh.
Hope you're having a great week Betsy!

Neal said...

Your beautiful pictures make me want to go back again. I love driving down the parkway.

KathyA said...

Beautiful! Thanks for the tour. Was that wild turkey white???

Loren said...

Oh my....wild turkeys!! That is awesome! :) those clouds are something aren't they :) Love how the sun is peeking through!

Great pics and I am sooo glad you had such a wonderful time and celebration for your bday :)

Lynda said...

That turkey looks white or is it just how the sun is hitting it? I, too, LOVE the mountains!

Cicero Sings said...

You sure don't have to travel far to be in the midst of beauty! A beauty amongst the beauty celebrating her birthday!

Angela said...

I love the mountains! It has been over 15 years but we did drive on the Skyline to the Parkway. It was a wonderful drive. I love going on scenic drives like that. Great pictures!

Hugs,
Angela